Trees & shrubs

All 24 trees & shrubs
Weed profile

Boneseed / Bitou Bush

Osteospermum moniliferum

Also called Bitou Bush

Family
Asteraceae
Origin
Africa
Type
WONSWeed of National Significance CRegionally controlled
Plant instead Hop Goodenia Goodenia ovata

Boneseed plants can produce up to 50,000 seeds per plant. The seedbank can remain viable for at least 10 years.

Boneseed / Bitou Bush growing Boneseed / Bitou Bush, close up
Photos from SGLN’s 2017 weed guide

About Boneseed / Bitou Bush

Chrysanthemoides monilifera is an erect perrenial shrub to 3m high with dull green paddle shaped leaves. Young leaves often covered in cottony down. Bright yellow daisy flowers in winter to summer, green berries in summer which turn in to hard black seeds. Sheds up to 50,000 seeds per plant. Spreads by birds, animals and water.

Manual control

Boneseed can be physically removed

From SGLN’s 2017 weed guide.

Herbicides must be applied at the appropriate rate as specified on the label and all safety precautions followed. If chemical control is necessary near drainage lines or streams, use extreme caution as the effects on aquatic life can be devastating even in minute amounts. Always seek expert advice.
Chemical control notes from SGLN’s 2017 weed guide

Brush Off plus Pulse penetrant. Spring through to summer when actively growing. Always check the herbicide label before use.

These notes are from 2017, and some information, particularly herbicide information, may be out of date. Please ask local suppliers and do your own research in selecting herbicides if choosing chemical control.

Family, origin, type, plant instead, control methods and the note above are from SGLN’s pocket guide Common weeds of South Gippsland (2026).