Habitat: bank, coast, dry, forest, forest edge, lowland, margin, pasture, riparian, shrubland, terrace, wasteland

Dispersal: Seed

Distribution from the Australasian Virtual Herbarium. CC-BY 3.0 AU
Distribution from the Australasian Virtual Herbarium. CC-BY 3.0 AU
 Recognition
  • an upright herbaceous plant or small shrub usually growing 0.3-1 m tall.
  • its alternately arranged leaves (2.5-10.5 cm long) are narrowly oval or elongated in shape with slightly wavy margins.
  • its white star-shaped flowers (10-15 mm across) are borne singly or arranged in small clusters in the upper leaf forks.
  • its fleshy fruit (10-15 mm across) turn from green to yellow and eventually bright orange-red as they mature.

[From: Environmental Weeds of Australia]

 Images
Image: Peter Heenan © Landcare Research
Image: Peter Heenan © Landcare Research
Image: Trevor James © Trevor James
Image: Trevor James © Trevor James
Image: Trevor James © Trevor James
Image: Trevor James © Trevor James
Weeds Key – interactive key to the weed species of New Zealand
 References
Connor, H.E. 1977: The Poisonous Plants in New Zealand. Edition 2. Government Printer, Wellington.
Connor, H.E.; Fountain, J. 2009: Plants that Poison: A New Zealand Guide. Manaaki Whenua Press, Lincoln.
Howell, C. 2008: Consolidated list of environmental weeds in New Zealand. DOC Research & Development Series 292: 42.
Stewart, J. 1971: Plants in New Zealand Poisonous to Man. New Zealand Department of Health, Wellington.