Calotis lappulacea

Bur daisy

Family: Asteraceae

Origin: Australia

Bur daisy growing in the hard ground with bright yellow flowers.
Flowers are yellow and develop into hard, brown burs. These burs are covered in tiny hooks.
Photo credit: Trevor James, Agresearch

Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) status

  • Whole region — Sustained control
  • Hauraki Gulf Controlled Area Notice pest

View more about the RPMP statuses

General description

Small, stringy, many-branched perennial herb < 50 cm tall and < 1 m in diameter. Leaves are thin, green and hairy. Flowers are small, spherical and yellow, and form tough, hooked brown spheres.

What you need to know

To help protect our environment:

  • You must not breed, distribute, release or sell bur daisy within the Auckland region.
  • You must not plant bur daisy within the Auckland region, unless you are transferring an existing plant on your land to another location within the boundaries of the same property.
  • You must destroy any bur daisy on land that you occupy if it has been planted in breach of the above rules and you are directed to do so by an authorised person.

Habitats

Open and disturbed habitats, exposed dry outcrops, rocky areas, grassland, pasture, scrubland, woodland.

Dispersal

Seeds dispersed by wind and attachment to animal pelts. Human-mediated dispersal through attachment to clothing and machinery.

Impact on environment

Displaces desirable pasture species and is a serious contaminant of wool. May compete with similar native plants in dry rocky outcrops or open disturbed ecosystems.

Control

Site Management

Maintaining good pasture cover will suppress an infestation.

Recommended approaches

Physical control

Method: Dig out.

Plant parts requiring disposal: Seeds.

Disposal options: Remove to greenwaste or landfill if practical.

Biocontrol

Biocontrol is currently not available for this species.

Community agrichemical control recommendations

No qualifications: Foliar spray with 150ml glyphosate green per 10L of water.

Certified Handler/Experienced agrichemical user: Foliar spray with 150ml glyphosate green per 10L of water and 10ml penetrant.

Caution: When using any herbicide or pesticide please read the label thoroughly to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.

A cluster of bur daisy in a metal pot.
Bur daisy is a small perennial herb with thin green leaves.
Photo credit: Trevor James, Agresearch
A close up shot of a bur daisy flower in bloom and drying out.
Flowers are small and pom pom-like in shape.
Photo credit: Trevor James, Agresearch
A close up of the roots of a bur daisy.
Bur daisy produces many seeds.
Photo credit: Trevor James, Agresearch
Bur daisy growing unchecked.
Bur daisy displaces desirable pasture species and its spiny burs contaminate wool.
Photo credit: Trevor James, Agresearch