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