Blue heliotrope is a drought tolerant and aggressive summer weed which has enabled it to persist and spread during these dry times. Its hardiness has made it a major agricultural weed in NSW. Blue heliotrope will out-compete desirable pasture plants and can be toxic to stock.
It is also widespread and adaptable to a wide range of soil and climate types and is thought to occupy more than 110 000 hectares in NSW. Blue heliotrope is a native of South America and was probably introduced to Australia as an ornamental plant in the latter part of the 19th century. It was first reported in NSW in 1908 in the Hunter Valley, and since then has colonised large areas in NSW.
Visit the Local Land Services webpage to check out the Blue Heliotrope weed management guide and the DPI website to download a copy of the manual.
