Difficult to manage with methods available to volunteers

A small shrub often grown in gardens for its attractive leaves marked with pink dots. In the ten years to 2021, Polka-dot Weed went from potential weed to a serious threat to native vegetation in the Enoggera catchment where SOWN has declared it one of our 12 worst weeds. It can form dense monocultures in shady areas. Not known as a weed outside Australia, it is native to South Africa, Madagascar and South-East Asia. Variegated, ovate, dark green leaves are to 10 centimentres. Foliage coloration is often more pronounced in a shaded location. Magenta, lavendar or blue flowers sometimes with white inside occur in terminal and axillary cymes during the summer season. It’s difficult to manage with methods and herbicides available to volunteers. It grows back quickly after hand removal or treatment with glyphosate. Habitat Brisbane volunteers should approach their Habitat Brisbane Officer for advice. It is of particular concern in South-East Queensland, where it is listed among the top 200 most invasive plant species. Current July 2025.

Photo: Robert Whyte

Photo: Robert Whyte