Mist flower

Ageratina riparia syn. Eupatorium riparium

family

Asteraceae

origin

Exotic

declaration

Council Pest Vegetation (BCC Natural Asset Local Law)

Council Pest Vegetation (BCC Natural Asset Local Law)

Council Pest Vegetation (BCC Natural Asset Local Law)

Common names

Cat's paw, Catspaw, Creeping crofton weed, Mistflower, River eupatorium, Small crofton weed, White weed.

Sprawling, low-growing perennial herb, 40-60cm tall.Stems have roots at joints that touch ground.Leaves are opposite, generally 7.5cm long and 2.5cm wide, toothed along edges, tapered at each end.Flowers are small, white.Branches end with dense heads.Seeds are black, slender, angular, 2mm long, with fine white hairs at tip.

Leaf arrangement:Simple
Leaf form:Opposite
Cream
Green

Impact

Impact

Mistflower (Ageratina riparia) is a significant environmental weed in New South Wales and Queensland. It is also currently listed as a priority environmental weed in at least one Natural Resource Management region in Australia. This species can quickly invade disturbed bushland on frost-free slopes and rainforest gaps, displacing the native vegetation. However, it is especially invasive in gullies and riparian habitats and is often reported to dominate the groundcover vegetation along waterways. It is shade tolerant and can almost totally exclude native plants in these areas, an may even displace many of the animals which were reliant upon those plants., Mistflower is a very aggressive weed in south-eastern Queensland, and is listed among the top 25 most invasive weed species in this region. It prefers wetter habitats in coastal districts. It is thought to have a negative impact on the habitats occupied by several species of rare stream frogs in south-eastern Queensland. It is thought to have reduced the number of suitable egg-laying sites available to Fleay's barred-frog (Mixophyes fleayi). It also threatens the habitat of the  southern gastric-brooding frog (Rheobatrachus silus), which is now thought to be extinct. This species, which is restricted to the Blackall and Conondale Ranges in south-eastern Queensland, has not been sighted since 1981., Misflower (Ageratina riparia) can spread into wetter pastures, significantly reducing their carrying capacity. It may also restrict the movement of livestock and farm machinery.

Location

Location

Characteristics

Characteristics

Similar Species

Similar Species

Control Methods