Mother of Millions

Mother of Millions (Bryophyllum species)

This plant should be eradicated from the land and the land kept free of the plant.

It should not be bought, sold, grown, carried or released into the environment.

Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant establishing on or spreading from their land.

How does this weed affect you?

Mother of Millions is a succulent garden plant that spreads rapidly and quickly forms new colonies. The stems are pinkish-brown or greyish in colour. The leaves are pencil-shaped, pale green to pale brown in colour with dark green patches and a shallow groove on the upper surface. The flowers are orange-red in colour and occur in a cluster at the top of a single stem.

They can adapt in dry conditions, surviving long periods of drought. The weed is toxic when eaten by livestock and is poisonous to humans and household pets causing heart failure. The flowers have five times more poisonous than the leaves and stems.

Poisoned stock must be treated within 24 hours of consuming the plant. Because Mother of Millions also grows in backyards, the likelihood of human or pet poisoning increased.

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.