Weed of the Month - Cotoneaster

Usually found close to towns or old farmhouses Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster glaucophyllus) is often seen by roadsides under trees and fences. This weed is mainly spread by birds and the seed can be spread some distance from parent plant. Berries are slightly poisonous especially for young children. Cotoneaster can act as a host for the bacteria (fireblight), a disease of orchards.

Many species are very popular as ornamental plants so they are commonly found in urban areas. Localized infestations can be seen at the edges of native forest, in bushland reserves and along roadsides where they have escaped from local gardens. Dense infestations of cotoneaster will smother native vegetation taking over native plants.

Cotoneaster flowers throughout spring and summer with clusters of white flowers.
Each flower is about 8 mm wide with 5 petals.
An evergreen shrub up to 4 metre, the leaves are oval with a dull green upper surface and with a white under side. The underside of the leaf is covered with fine hair though loses this with age.
The fruit is 6 to 10mm in a globe shape and red in colour
For control of small plant hand pulling/ digging the plant out is best and for large plant the method of cut and stump is best suited, please read your herbicide label for further details on mixing rates and required PPE.

This plant is not declared though has the potential to become an environmental weed.

For further info on this plant check out the DPI site Link.