Khasia berry

General description

Erect deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub < 4 m tall. Leaves are < 25 x 15 mm. Flowers are small, white/pink and borne in bunches of 1-4 during November – December. Berries are orange-red, < 1 cm long and ripen in December – July.

What you need to know

To help protect our environment:

• You must not breed, distribute, release or sell khasia berry. As khasia berry is a National Pest Plant Accord species, these restrictions apply within the Auckland region and across the whole of New Zealand.
• You must not plant khasia berry 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 khasia berry 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

Roadsides, grasslands, open shrubland, forest margins, riverbeds, cliffs, open habitats.

Dispersal

Seeds dispersed by birds and small mammals. Human-mediated dispersal through dumping of garden waste and deliberate plantings.

Impact on environment

Forms dense stands, excluding native plant species.

Control

Site Management

Follow up treated areas 3 times per year. Encourage natural regeneration of native plants or replant treated areas where possible after 2-3 treatments to establish dense ground cover and minimise reinvasion.

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: Cut stump and paste freshly cut base of stems with metsulfuron gel. Large stems can be frilled and pasted with metsulfuron gel.

Basic Growsafe certified: Cut stump and spray freshly cut base with 5g metsulfuron-methyl per 1 L of water.

Certified Handler/Experienced agrichemical user: Foliar spray with 5g metsulfuron-methyl per 10L of water and 20ml penetrant.