Family: Lamiaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized in Australia and New Zealand (but no evidence in the Hawaiian Islands to date)
  
• Regarded as an agricultural and environmental weed in parts of Australia
  
• Unpalatable to cattle and possibly other grazing animals (but browsed by sheep and goats)
  
• Potentially toxic to dogs and cats
  
• Highly flammable and may increase fire risk in fire prone areas
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Forms dense patches which eliminate most other vegetation
  
• Reproduces by prolific seed production
  
• Self-compatible
  
• Reaches maturity in 2-3 years
  
• Roots and crowns can be spread by cultivation equipment and road graders
  
• Seeds dispersed by wind, water, birds, in the droppings of animals, soil movement, garden refuse, and intentional cultivation
  
• Prolific seed production
  
• Forms a persistent seed bank
  
• Able to resprout after cutting and low intensity fires

Low Risk Traits:

• A species of temperate to Mediterranean climates that may only be a risk in cooler, higher elevation areas in the tropics
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Palatable to goats and sheep (but not cattle and some other animals)
  
• Thrives in high light environments (dense shade may inhibit spread)
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively
  
• Certain herbicides may provide effective control