Mother of Millions (Bryophyllum or Kalanchoe)
The Western Sydney Weeds Authority (WSWA) has issued an alert warning that an intensifying El Niño weather pattern could supercharge the spread of the poisonous and drought-tolerant mother of millions weed. Although we have had a bit of rain, the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast an unseasonably warm, dry winter for the region, which creates ideal conditions for drought-tolerant weeds to thrive.
Mother of millions is a fast-spreading succulent originally introduced to Australia from Africa as a garden plant, but it has now invaded Sydney’s bushland. The weed’s name is derived from its ability to rapidly reproduce, and its peak flowering period from May to October coincides with these dry conditions.
Mother of millions can be identified by its pencil-shaped, pale green to brown leaves with darker green patches and shallow grooves. It has distinctive clusters of orange-red flowers that form at the top of a single pinkish-grey stem.
Toxicity: Ingestion of the toxins can be cumulative, and livestock eating small amounts several times within a few days may suffer poisoning. Eating about 5kg of mother of millions would kill an adult cow. Where the plants are thick, this amount would grow in a square metre.
Control: Preventing the spread of mother of millions is the best control measure. Learn to identify it and regularly check for it in winter when the plants are in flower and are easier to see. If found, remove immediately using a combination of control methods including hand removal, fire, herbicide application and rehabilitation. Regularly check creek lines after floods for new infestations.
Visit NSW WeedWise for advice on controlling this weed.
Source: Western Sydney Weeds Authority
