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Pride of Madiera

Pride of Madiera
Photo: Macbird Floraprint
Invasive Plant
Pride of Madiera
Echium candicans
 

A hardy, evergreen shrub with large densely haired leaves to a height and width of 1.8 m. Columnar flower spikes stand high above the foliage and contain thousands of tiny flowers ranging in colour from pale blue to violet and occasionally in white. Following flowering, each of the thousands of individual florets produce a four segmented fruit called a nutlet. A single seed is contained within each of the four nutlets.

 

HOW IT SPREADS

  • Each flower spike can produce hundreds and thousands of seeds. The seeds have poorly developed wings that may help the seed to be wind dispersed over short distances.
 
 
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Alternative Plants

Cross-leaved Honey-myrtle
Photo: © immij pty ltd
Alternative Plant Cross-leaved Honey-myrtle
Melaleuca decussata
Trees and Shrubs
 

This is an open, rounded large shrub to 3.5 m high. In late spring, mauve flowers develop in small, cylindrical spikes on short, lateral branches or at the base of leafy branches. Flowers sporadically during summer. It prefers full-sun and can tolerate dry and coastal condition.

Myrtle Wattle, Red-stem Wattle
Photo: Iain Harrison
Alternative Plant Myrtle Wattle, Red-stem Wattle
Acacia myrtifolia
Trees and Shrubs
 

A small, rounded shrub from 1 to 2.5 m high. Elliptical leaves, dark green, 2–5 cm long on distinctive reddish stems. Fluffy cream-coloured ball-shaped flowers appear in spring. It is a low maintenance drought hardy plant. Thrives in a range of environments, however prefers a sunny well-drained position.

Native Rosemary, Coastal Rosemary
Photo: Macbird Floraprint
Alternative Plant Native Rosemary, Coastal Rosemary
Westringia fruiticosa 'Jervis Gem'
Trees and Shrubs
 

A native, hardy, compact, bushy form of Westringia with greygreen foliage and a mass of bluemauve flowers that extend over long periods. It stays compact and requires only a light prune annually. Growing to 1.2 m high by 1 m wide, this species is useful for low hedging and borders. Prefers well-drained soil and thrives in full-sun to part-shade. Will tolerate frost, dry and even severe coastal conditions.

 
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