Pitted crassula

General description

Perennial succulent herb. Stems are prostrate and creeping. Leaves are fleshy, < 5.5 x 4 cm and covered with small pitted dots. Flowers are pink/red, < 12 mm in diameter and held in inflorescences in spring/summer. Small plantlets develop in flower clusters following flowering.

What you need to know

To help protect our environment:

• You must not breed, distribute, release or sell pitted crassula. As pitted crassula is a National Pest Plant Accord species, these restrictions apply within the Auckland region and across the whole of New Zealand.
• You must not plant pitted crassula within the Auckland region, unless you are transferring an existing plant on your land to another location within the boundaries of the same property.
• You must destroy any pitted crassula on land that you occupy if it has been planted in breach of the above rules and you are directed to do so by an authorised person.

Habitats

Coastal habitats, sand dunes, rock, cliffs, banks, rock walls, volcanic cones, riparian and forest margins.

Dispersal

Vegetative spread from stem nodes and plantlets. Human-mediated dispersal through deliberate planting.

Impact on environment

Forms dense mats, preventing native regeneration. Potential for hybridisation with native Crassula spp.

Control

Site Management

Follow up treated areas 3 times per year. Encourage natural regeneration of native plants or replant treated areas where possible after 2-3 treatments to establish dense ground cover and minimise reinvasion.

Recommended approaches

Physical control

Method: Dig out.

Plant parts requiring disposal: All parts.

Disposal options: Small amounts can be rotted in a covered water barrel or remove to greenwaste or landfill.

Biocontrol

Biocontrol is currently not available for this species.

Community agrichemical control recommendations

Basic Growsafe certified: Foliar spray with 3g metsulfuron-methyl plus 150ml glyphosate per 10L of water.

Certified Handler/Experienced agrichemical user: Foliar spray with 3g metsulfuron-methyl plus 150ml glyphosate per 10L of water and 10ml penetrant.