Heart-leaf poison bush

• Native woody perennial shrub up to 1–2m tall.
• Stems are woody, grow from lignotuber or bulb below ground level.
• Leaves are greyish green, thick, stiff, usually opposite, 2.5–6.4cm long, 1–2.7cm wide.
• Leaves have prominent yellow veins, are tapered at base.
• Flowers are dark red to purplish, pea-shaped, 2–2.5cm long.
• Pods are small, yellowish-brown, hairy, pointed at tip, usually contain 1–2 seeds about size of sweet-pea.

• Occurs sporadically, mainly in creamy to red sandy clay soils in eucalypt woodland.

• Central highlands.
• Cape York Peninsula.

• Germinates during wet season.
• Flowers December–April.

Environmental

• Poisonous to grazing animals.
• Contains high levels of monofluoroacetic acid (1080 poison).

• Seeds spread by flowing water, animals, machinery and vehicles.

• Find out how farmers can prevent weed spread.
• Find out how gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts can prevent weed spread.

Physical control

• Dig up small infestations by roots, allow to dry out, then burn.

Herbicide control

• Spraying the plant with diesel will stop stock from feeding on it. This treatment can kill the plant but it will regrow in some circumstances.
• Herbicides that can be used for control are Tordon TCH, Garlon 600 and Velpar. Although these herbicides are not registered for control of heart-leaf poison bush, they are registered for use in pasture situations.
• Plants may be sprayed at any time of year, but results are usually best when plants are actively growing and not under stress. A single treatment will destroy most bushes but follow-up in subsequent years is necessary to destroy seedlings.

Large infestations

• Fence off infested areas to minimise stock loss.
• Herbicide control can be used, as above.

Biological control

• No known biological control agents.

• Heart-leaf poison bush is not a prohibited or restricted invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014. However, by law, everyone has a general biosecurity obligation (GBO) to take reasonable and practical steps to minimise the risks associated with invasive plants under their control.
• Local governments must have a biosecurity plan that covers invasive plants in their area. This plan may include actions to be taken on Heart-leaf poison bush. Some of these actions may be required under local laws. Contact your local government for more information.