Fleabanes: Flax-leaf
Conyza bonariensis
Canadian
C. Canadensis
(C. bilbaoana & C. parva)
Origin. Eurasia.
Distribution in Canberra Region. Widespread in disturbed, riverine, roadside and pasture areas.
Dispersal. Seeds dispersed by wind, water, and vehicles.
General Description and Biology
Can grow to 2 m high.
Well-grown specimens have multiple branches spreading upwards, each with a flowering head.
Stems can be robust, up to 2-5 cm thick. Taproot tough.
Leaves are long (to 10 cm) and narrow; grayish-green.
Leaves of Canadian Fleabane have short stiff fine hairs on leaf margins.
Flowers creamy-coloured yielding large numbers of seed.
Favourable (particularly moist) conditions can generate huge numbers of seed and a dense carpet of rosettes. Can thus gain control of substantial areas, especially under trees, e.g. after fire has swept through.
Control methods
a. ManualThis weed can be relatively easily pulled out, after rain.
When very mature, best dug out with a mattock.
If simply cut off in autumn it may die, but earlier, it will grow again.
If in flower or gone to seed but seeds still attached, bag/compost the flowerheads/seedheads.
Densely-grown rosettes can be rapidly removed by hand or mattock.