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Identification │
Effect on animals │
More info? │
Control methods │Using
pesticides │Disclaimer
  Mother-of
millions (Bryophyllum
spp.) is a native plant of Madagascar. Its beautiful flowers have made
it a popular garden plant in eastern Australia, especially in the drier, inland areas. Unfortunately, mother-of-millions is highly toxic to stock!
The plant's ability to reproduce in such
large numbers and to withstand droughts explains why it has escaped from gardens
and rubbish tips to become a serious problem in many rural areas. [Photo,
above left - shows how
mother-of-millions can take over in rural areas - next to Bruxner Highway
between Bonshaw and Yetman NSW - click on photo for larger view]
 Mother-of
millions is well named. Each plant produces thousands of plantlets
which detach to form
new plants. This close-up photo [left] of an actively-growing young plant shows
the reproductive potential of a just one plant. A succulent, and
drought-tolerant, most of these plant parts will survive.
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EFFECT ON ANIMALS
Mother-of millions, particularly the flowers, can be VERY POISONOUS. It
continues to claim the lives of cattle throughout the north west. In
one of the worst reported cases in recent times, 125 head of cattle died after
feeding on mother-of-millions on a travelling stock reserve, Moree area, 1997
(- Michael Kane, Moree).
Greatest risk
is when the plant is in flower, and especially during dry times when feed is scarce. And, when cattle are stressed or in
unfamiliar territory (eg a new paddock) they are more likely to try plants they
wouldn’t normally touch.
To quote from the
Queensland Department of Natural Resources
Pest Fact [P33 Mar 00] on
mother-of-millions, “POISONING SYMPTOMS in cattle include signs of dullness,
loss of appetite, diarrhea and heart failure. There are two responses to
poisoning; acute, where cattle die within a day, and chronic, where cattle may
take up to 5 days to die. Some cattle may make a slow recovery if insufficient
plant material was eaten. TREATMENT OF POISONED STOCK must occur within 24
hours of consuming the plant. The treatment is intense and needs to be given by
or under the direction of a veterinarian.”
IDENTIFICATION
Mother-of millions is a hardy, drought-resistant succulent. The
plants grow upright (to 1m) thin “stem s”, each containing numerous small
“branches” or leaves. There are also hybrid version (see photo, right) which
have similar flowers but serrated "branches". Each leaf produces many
plantlets. The plant flowers in the winter; this is when the plant is most
dangerous to stock!
PLEASE NOTE that there
other cacti-type
plants with flowers similar to mother-of-millions.
 Most
of these other cacti-type plants don't have stems like mother-of-millions, which
are generally about the same thickness
from top to bottom. Also, mother-of-millions plants don't have large,
flat, serrated “leaves” at
the base of the plant as does, for example, Cotyledon orbicularis
(photo, right). Be aware that these other look-alikes may still be
toxic to animals – the best advice is to remove all risk!
MORE INFORMATION
Poisonous Plants Handbook for Farmers & Graziers by EJ McBarron, Inkata Press
ISBN 0909605297. NSW Department of Primary Industries has on its weeds website an
Agfact on poisonous plants. Queensland Dept of
Natural Resources has a very good
Factsheet
on mother of millions on its website.
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CONTROL METHODS
Non-Chemical Options:
Plants can be removed and burnt or
stored in black plastic bags until completely destroyed. Encourage a strong
pasture competition.
|
Chemical options |
Rate: Spot/Boom |
Comments |
|
Triclopyr +Picloram
300g/L + 100 g/L - eg
Grazon DS® |
500 ml
per 100 L of
water |
Apply at flowering, add
a surfactant. |
|
2,4-D amine 500 g/L
Various trade names |
500 ml
per 100 L of
water |
Thorough, even coverage
of leaves and plantlets is necessary. Add a wetting agent |
|
Fluroxypyr
200 g/L
Starane 200® |
600 ml
per 100 L of
water |
Actively growing
seedlings and young plants before flowering |
|
OTHER HERBICIDE OPTIONS (not included in DPI booklet referred to above) |
Metsulfuron methyl
Various trade names eg Brushoff®
and Ally® PLUS
glyphosate 360 g/l |
10 g metsulfuron methyl
plus 200 ml glyphosate 360 to 100 L water. Add non-ionic surfactant as per label
|
Hand directed spraying only.
Apply at or just prior to flowering.
Refer to
permit (PER7156) for full details |
IMPORTANT:
USE OF PESTICIDES – ALWAYS READ THE LABEL
Pesticides
must only be used for the purpose for which they are registered and must not be
used in any other situation or in any manner contrary to the directions on the
label. Never use a herbicide in any way contrary to the label recommendations.
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DISCLAIMER:
The information contained in this web site is based on knowledge and
understanding at the time of writing. However, because of advances in knowledge,
users are reminded of the need to ensure that information upon which they rely
is up to date and to check currency of the information with the appropriate
officer of North West Weeds or the user’s independent adviser.
LRT 28/06/06
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North West Weeds
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