Gymnocoronis spilanthoides
Senegal tea
Family: Asteraceae
Origin: Mexico, South America
Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) status
- National Pest Plant Accord Species
- Whole region — Progressive containment, council delivered
General description
Emergent, aquatic, perennial herb < 1.5 m tall. Stems are hollow when mature, buoyant and form dense floating mats. Leaves are < 20 x 5 cm. Flowerheads are white, clover-like and borne in December – May. Seeds ripen in summer – autumn.
What you need to know
To help protect our environment:
- You must not breed, distribute, release or sell Senegal tea. As Senegal tea is a National Pest Plant Accord species, these restrictions apply within the Auckland region and across the whole of New Zealand.
- You must not plant Senegal tea within the Auckland region.
Auckland Council will manage Senegal tea at all sites where it is known to occur.
If you see Senegal tea anywhere in the Auckland region, please report it to Auckland Council at pestfree@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
Habitats
Damp soils, still or slow-moving water body margins.
Dispersal
Sets seed. Vegetative spread from stem fragments. Seed and stem fragments dispersed by water movement. Human-mediated dispersal through contamination of machinery and deliberate plantings.
Impact on environment
Forms floating mats, blocking streams and drainage tunnels, altering water flow dynamics and exacerbating flooding. Potential to replace short-stature herbaceous wetland plant communities. May impact mauri of wai māori.
Control
Site management - recommended approaches
Do not attempt to undertake control of this species. Please report to Auckland Council.
Caution: When using any herbicide or pesticide please read the label thoroughly to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.
