Do your bit to help wipe out Woolly nightshade in the Bay of Plenty
During the month of November we’re asking everyone across the region to take personal responsibility to help stop the spread of Woolly nightshade. It’s a nasty plant and spreads very quickly so if we all make it our goal to individually pull up just one seedling or control just one plant, it all makes a difference.
Why is it a pest?
- It forms dense stands which crowd out all other plants.
- It flowers and seeds all year-round.
- Birds eat the berries and can spread the seeds long distances.
- Seedlings established in summer can produce seeds by autumn in the same year.
- Seeds in the soil can germinate up to 20-30 years later.
- The dust from the leaves and stems can irritate the skin, eyes, nose, and throat.
- The berries are poisonous to humans, cattle and pigs if eaten.