Bitou bush and boneseed

Bitou bush on Tollgate Islands Nature Reserve

There are two subspecies of Chrysanthemoides monilifera, bitou bush (subsp. rotundata) and boneseed (subsp. monilifera). Bitou bush is an introduced plant in NSW. It was planted widely along the NSW coast between 1946 and 1968 to reduce dune erosion, but spread rapidly. It is now found along 80 per cent of the state's coastline. The north coast, in particular, is heavily infested. In some cases, the weed has spread up to 10 km inland. Bitou bush is also listed as Noxious in all coastal districts

Boneseed, a closely related species to bitou bush, is also a weed in NSW. However it is only established in a small number of areas, including Sydney and the Hunter regions. See the differences between the two subspecies of Chrysanthemoides monilifera.

Native to South Africa, bitou bush invades native coastal heathlands, grasslands, woodlands and forests. It grows quickly and forms dense stands, replacing native plants and destroying the habitat of native animals. Numerous threatened species and plant communities have been affected. Boneseed is also native to South Africa.

Invasion of native plant communities by bitou bush and boneseed - key threatening process listing
The NSW Scientific Committee has declared bitou bush and boneseed to be a 'key threatening process' (KTP) in NSW. See its reasons for making this declaration.

Bitou bush and boneseed threat abatement plan
A Threat Abatement Plan (TAP) has been prepared under the TSC Act in repsonse to the KTP listing. The TAP aims to reduce, abate or ameliorate the threat posed by bitou bush and boneseed to threatened species, populations and ecological communities and those species which may become threatened as a result of bitou bush or boneseed invasion.

National bitou bush and boneseed program
In 2000, bitou bush and boneseed were collectively listed as a Weed of National Significance (WoNS). The DECCW currently coordinates the national Bitou Bush and Boneseed WoNS program in collaboration with the other states and territories and the Australian Government. For more information follow the above link.

Best Practice Management
A range of best practice management guides have been produced, including:

• Aerial spraying guidelines
• Boneseed management manual
• Bitou bush management manual