Weed Alert
Viburnum odoratissimum
Sweet Viburnum
Origin; Asia, particularly Taiwan and Japan
Features:
 |
 |
 |
- Glossy attractive large leaves
- Usually grows 1 – 4 m high. There is a sub-species known as Awabukei Sweet Viburnum which can grow to 6 – 8 m
- Attractive bushy growth habit
- Fast growing
- Produces large numbers of attractive white flowers
- Red fruit is attractive to birds and thus easily spread
- Tolerant of growing in a wide range of environments including rainforest margins, riparian areas, disturbed bushland and coastal paperbark forests
- Readily available from most nurseries
From the above features is can be seen that this plant has many attributes of a successful weed.
A weed identification note produced by Brisbane City Council made mention that this plant was recognised for its weed potential in many bushland sites around Coffs Harbour back in 2010 and is now becoming more widely established in a variety of locations throughout the city reserve system.
I have been informed by local bush regenerators Kris and Brent Hely that they are working on a very dense infestation at Moonee, including several large specimens about 6m high which is slowly being controlled. They also report that this weed is being increasingly seen from Woolgoolga to Sawtell.
If found on your site it is suggested that all flowers and seed be removed and bagged for disposal. The remaining plant can then be cut off near ground level and treated with glyphosate.
Barry Powells
