Queensland poplar
Botanical Name
Homalanthus populifolius
Family
Euphorbiaceae (spurge)
Also known as
Bleeding heart tree, poplar leaved omalanthus
Where is it originally from?
Australia, Papua New Guinea
What does it look like?
Shrub or small tree (<5 m) with smooth, heart-shaped leaves (3-20 cm long) that turn red with age. Small and inconspicuous individual flowers occur in clusters of spikes (<17 cm long, Sept-Nov) are followed by smooth fruits (<8-10 mm diameter) made up of two sections with a groove in between, and two small 'antennae' that stick out from the top.
Are there any similar species?
Homalanthus polyandrous has 3-angled, reddish fruit (10-12 mm diameter).
Why is it weedy?
Produces large amounts of seed and is shade-tolerant.
How does it spread?
Seed is spread by birds, water, and machinery, especially roadside mowers.
What damage does it do?
Forms a sub-canopy and can displace native species by competing for light, nutrients, water and space.
Which habitats is it likely to invade?
Regenerating bush, forest margins, roadsides and waste places.
What can I do to get rid of it?
1. Grub out seedlings (all year round).
2. Cut and stump paint larger plants: picloram gel.
3. Spray smaller plants: metsulfuron methyl 600g/kg (5g/10L).
CAUTION: When using any herbicide or pesticide, PLEASE READ THE LABEL THOROUGHLY to ensure that all instructions and directions for the purchase, use and storage of the product, are followed and adhered to.
What can I do to stop it coming back?
Replant site with native species to prevent re-establishment.
Images
