Xanthium spinosum
Bathurst bur
Family: Asteraceae
Origin: South America
Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) status
- Whole region — Sustained control
- Hauraki Gulf Controlled Area Notice pest
General description
Erect, spiny annual herb < 1 m tall. Leaves are white and hairy on underside. Flowers are inconspicuous and are borne December – April. Fruits/burs have hooked spines.
What you need to know
To help protect our environment:
- you must not breed, distribute, release or sell Bathurst burr within the Auckland region
- you must not plant Bathurst burr within the Auckland region, unless you are transferring an existing plant on your land to another location within the boundaries of the same property
- you must destroy any Bathurst burr on land that you occupy if it has been planted in breach of the above rules and you are directed to do so by an authorised person
- you must destroy all Bathurst bur plants on the land you are occupying if it is within rural Auckland.
Habitats
Maize crops, poultry farms, moist and disturbed soils.
Dispersal
Seeds dispersed by attachment to animal pelts, gravity and water. Human-mediated dispersal through attachment to clothing, contamination of maize and livestock.
Impact on environment
Burs contaminate and reduce value of sheep wool. Spines prevent stock from grazing and can damage feet or hinder movement. Weedy in summer crops, potentially reducing crop yield. Can displace desirable pasture species.
Control
Site management
Follow up treated areas 3 times per year. Encourage natural regeneration of native plants or replant treated areas where possible after 2-3 treatments to establish dense ground cover and minimise reinvasion.
Recommended approaches
Physical control
Method: Dig out.
Plant parts requiring disposal: Seeds.
Disposal options: Remove to greenwaste or landfill if practical.
Biocontrol
Biocontrol is currently not available for this species.
Community agrichemical control recommendations
No qualifications: Foliar spray with 100ml glyphosate green per 10L of water.
Basic Growsafe certified: Foliar spray with 1g metsulfuron-methyl per 10L of water.
Caution: When using any herbicide or pesticide please read the label thoroughly to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.
