Groundsel bush

Groundsel Bush (Baccharis halimifolia)

The plant or parts of the plant should not be traded, carried, grown or released in the environment. Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant establishing on or spreading from their land.

How does this weed affect you?

Groundsel bush is both an environmental and a forestry weed because it readily invades open to densely vegetated forests and bushland. Thousands of hectares of pine plantations in New South Wales and Queensland are heavily infested.

Thick stands of groundsel bush can inhibit the movement of stock and reduce the productivity and carrying capacity of agricultural land. Therefore, the spread of the weed is of great concern to rural communities, especially where annual rainfall exceeds 1,000mm per year.

At the moment, the weed has not spread to its potential range but threatens to do so. If coordinated control programs are not maintained, it may rapidly fulfil this potential.

Groundsel bush is reputed to be poisonous to livestock, although it seldom causes a problem because they rarely eat enough. However, livestock will lose condition rapidly if forced to graze on it.

Groundsel bush is a serious weed of horticulture, cropping and grazing agricultural industries as well as forestry. It is also an environmental weed.

More information

For more information, download the NSW WeedWise app, head to weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au or speak to a Council Weeds Officer on 6566 3200.