00 Introduction
A weed is a plant growing where it's not wanted. That doesn't mean it's bad, just bad here. Some weeds can be beautiful. In the suburbs, where most...
01 January Celtis sinesis (ULMACEAE) Chinese Elm
Fast-growing semi-deciduous large tree with smooth bark and scalloped leaves. Native to China, Korea and Japan. Leaves have three main veins at the...
02 February Anredera cordifolia (BASELLACEAE) Madeira Vine
A soft, fast-growing vine with heart-shaped leaves. Large numbers of tubers form along stems and from the roots, producing many more plants when they...
03 March Aristolochia elegans (ARISTOLOCHIACEAE) Dutchman's Pipe
A smothering climber with heart-shaped leaves and pipe-shaped flowers native to Brazil and Argentina. Crushed leaves and cut stems give off an...
04 APRIL Senna pendula (CAESALPINIACEAE) Easter Cassia
Easter Cassia is a native of South America. Around Easter it produces showy yellow flowers, then masses of seed in long pods.
05 May Pennisetum purpureum (POACEAE) Cane Grass
A giant grass resembling sugar cane introduced as fodder for cattle, quickly colonising creek edges when the farms became suburbs.
07 July Emilia sonchifolia (ASTERACEAE) Emilia
A member of the highly successful daisy family. Similar to Thickhead but with pink flowerheads.
08 August Cardiospermum grandiflorum (SAPINDACEAE) Balloon Vine
Smothering climber with light green compound leaves, native to tropical Asia, Africa and America. Nine leaflets arranged in three groups of three.
09 September Lantana camara (VERBENACEAE) Lantana
A straggly, prickly shrub commonly in dense thickets. Native to tropical South America. Multicoloured flowers, pleasant spicy aroma.
10 October Cinnamomum camphora (LAURACEAE) Camphor Laurel
Medium to large tree native to Taiwan, Japan and China. Crushed leaves and cut branches have a distinct camphor smell. Green branchlets.
11 November Ipomoea cairica (CONVOLVULACEAE) Mile-a-minute
Fast growing smothering climber with from tropical America and tropical Asia. Leaves heart-shaped to three lobed, flowers tubular, bright blue to...
12 - December Ligustrum lucidim (OLEACEAE) Privet
Small tree native to China and Japan. Leaves somewhat waxy-leathery, dark-green above, lighter below. Flowers Spring to Summer.
Tithonia diversifolia (ASTERACEAE) Japanese Sunflower
Large, fast-growing semi-woody shrub. Not a native of Japan or anywhere near it - in fact a native of Central America. Flower-heads resemble...