ORIGIN

Warm temperate Himalaya

COMMON NAME

Pink-head knotweed

BOTANICAL NAME

Polygonum capitatum

IDENTIFICATION

Trailing plant, often used as garden ground cover. Fine hairs on leaves and stems, giving distinctive red colour and pattern. Distinctive pink flower heads, numerous, over long season, about 15mm across.

HABITATS

The plant favours dry banks in full sun, forming a strong mat and replacing most native vegetation.

IMPACT TO BIOTA AND ECOSYSTEMS

Forms a dense carpet on roadside banks and similar open places.

DISPERSAL ROUTES, VECTORS, INFESTATION SOURCES

Spreads out of gardens, and garden rubbish dumps.

MANAGEMENT

Prompt attention to rubbish tipping sites. Discourage use in gardens, sale in garden centres etc.

Physical Control
Hand pulling, weed eater, grubber. Allow cut material to dry out before disposal.

Disposal

Chemical Control

Biological Control

Recommended Approach

FURTHER COMMENT

Some plants are appearing in fairly remote locations, evidently from seed.