Family: Asteraceae (daisies)

Status:

Description:
An clumping perennial herb, up to 1m high but usually less. Leaves are simple and more or less spoon-shaped with a long narrow base, but sometimes have two lobes at the base, or may be divided. Conspicuous large yellow daisy flowers have toothed ends to the petals. Seeds are black, 2-3mm long and winged.

Preferred habitat and impacts:
Grows mostly on road verges, often on sandy soil. Capable of spreading into adjacent native vegetation following disturbance. Can grow thickly, displacing native species.

Originally a garden escapee, but now widely naturalised in the northern parts of the south coast and gradually extending its range south, where there are localised infestations in Bega Valley Shire.

Dispersal:
Spread along roads in mud on vehicles and machinery, by grading, slashing and roadworks. May be spread by dumping of garden refuse.

Look-alikes
No closely similar plants. Cultivars are still sold in nurseries, and would be better avoided.

Control
Chip or hand pull prior to seeding.