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Mexican sunflower

Mexican sunflower flowers between April through to July and is a prevalent invasive annual or perennial. It is found across coastal KwaZulu-Natal and the lowveld regions of Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces. The stems are rigid and strain and turn woody when the plants are mature. May eventually reach a height of 3-4 metres.

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Mauritius Thorn

A climbing shrub or small tree which forms dense clusters and outcompetes indigenous vegetation. It thrives along drainage lines and infiltrates natural savanna and grassland. It is often overlooked for one of the indigenous acacias. Prolific in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. Also called the mysore thorn.

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Madeira vine

The common name Madeira vine is somewhat misleading as this climber comes from South America. It is also known as bridal wreath as it produces spectacular white fragrant masses of flowers between February and May. This creeper invades water courses, forests, plantations and urban areas at the expense of indigenous vegetation.

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Lollipop climber

The lollipop climber is a climbing perennial growing 6 m in height and clambering up other plants. It has distinct five-lobed finger-like leaves. The fruits are rounded – initially green with white marks resembling tiny watermelon but turn bright red. This climber has been found around Durban and Pietermaritzburg and a few other spots along the KwaZulu-Natal coast.

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Large Cocklebur

There are two Category 1b Xanthium (cocklebur) listed under NEMBA regulations. The large cocklebur is widespread across southern and eastern South Africa where it invades roadsides, drainage lines, agricultural fields and river and stream courses. The heavy rains experienced over large swathes of South Africa in recent months has allowed this weedy annual herb to flourish.

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Jerusalem cherry

This herbaceous shrub thrives in and around shaded kloofs, forests, and along streams and rivers where it can outcompete other shade-loving herbs and grasses. The plant is poisonous and the bright red berries resemble small cherry tomatoes. Originally planted as an ornamental, it is now a Category 1b invader and must be removed and destroyed.

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Giant milkweed

The giant milkweed (Calotropis procera) is used for fibre and medicine, but it rapidly invades subsistence agricultural fields. Parts of the plant is poisonous if eaten by livestock. It thrives in the hot northern regions of Limpopo Province.

A soft woody shrub attaining 2 metres in height, they produce large oval fruits. This plant is also found along road verges and in drainage lines.

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Famine weed

Famine weed (Parthenium hysterophorus) is one of Africa’s most serious invasive plants as it displaces subsistence farmers in rural areas. It is a fast-growing annual herb reaching 1,5 metres in height. It thrives in warm climates with heavy rainfall and will quickly outgrow and smother subsistence crops. Some invasions are so bad that people have to vacate their land.

Famine weed also produces skin irritant chemicals and allergens which can have a detrimental effect on people who must work in their fields. Livestock grazing on famine weed develop mouth ulcers and body deterioration. It also taints the milk.

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Coral bush

An evergreen shrub reaching two metres in height. Thrives in shaded areas of forests and vegetated river courses. The fruits turn from a pale green to a coral red.

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Common thorn apple

The common thorn apple (Datura stramonium) is widespread across the country. It produces copious amounts of tiny black seeds which are dispersed by water runoff. All parts of this plant are toxic to livestock. This plant is prolific during summer and invades roadsides and agricultural land, as well as dump sites.

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