Balkan Spurge (Euphorbia oblongata), a relatively common nursery distribution originating in Greece, which has naturalised in California, Britain and the low countries, and here in … Read the full post
Prairie Ground Cherry (Physalis hederifolia)
Prairie Ground Cherry (Physalis hederifolia), a nightshade family member from the southwestern USA and northern Mexico, and a regionally controlled or prohibited weed throughout much … Read the full post
Whitetip Nightshade (Solanum chenopodioides)
Whitetip Nightshade (Solanum chenopodioides), an Argentinian nightshade in the Solanum nigrum complex that has been exported to other wet temperate locales since European colonisation. Reaching … Read the full post
African bush daisy (Euryops chrysanthemoides)
African bush daisy (Euryops chrysanthemoides), a favoured ornamental garden shrub now naturalising into Victorian floodways. Have you seen this plant in suspicious circumstances? Native to … Read the full post
Sweet Scabious, Pincushions (Scabiosa atropurpurea)
Sweet Scabious, Pincushions (Scabiosa atropurpurea), a Mediterranean wildflower cultivated globally as a garden annual and cut flower. Where have you seen these familiar blooms growing … Read the full post
Spotted Spurge (Euphorbia maculata)
Spotted Spurge (Euphorbia maculata), a North American spurge (also known as ‘Eyebane’) that is a pioneer species and common lawn weed in its native setting, … Read the full post
Sunflower Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus)
Sunflower Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), a North American aster on something of a march along Melbourne’s waterways. Also known as Jerusalem Artichoke, Sunchoke, topinambour. Although still … Read the full post
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), a plant that appears poorly adapted for a pavement existence but tries it all the same. Tomato has been reported as an … Read the full post
Great Mullein, Shepherd’s Club, Velvet Weed (Verbascum thapsus)
Great Mullein, Shepherd’s Club, Velvet Weed (Verbascum thapsus), a broad-leaved Eurasian biennial herb flowering in its second season. The plant was introduced to Melbourne no … Read the full post
Heart-leaf Madeira Vine (Anredera cordifolia)
Heart-leaf Madeira Vine (Anredera cordifolia), a succulent vine and South American native, the common name being the result of early Portuguese networks of colonial exchange. … Read the full post
Love-lies-bleeding, Tassel Flower, Grain Amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus)
Love-lies-bleeding, Tassel Flower, Grain Amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus), a pseudocereal food crop, favoured ornamental of Victorian England, and rare infestation of historical and contemporary Victoria. Domesticated … Read the full post
Purslane, Pigweed (Portulaca oleracea complex)
Purslane, Pigweed (Portulaca oleracea complex), the patchwork succulent carpet of Melbourne’s ruinous pavements. A globally distributed species complex, P. oleracea was once treated as a … Read the full post
Great Willow-herb (Epilobium hirsutum)
Great Willow-herb (Epilobium hirsutum), the spontaneous offering of a rootbound tree-cut in the footpath of Nicholson Street, Fitzroy this weekend. Great Willow-herb is native to … Read the full post
Gallant Soldier (Galinsoga parviflora)
Gallant Soldier (Galinsoga parviflora), a Central American annual herb now distributed throughout the temperate and subtropical world as a consequence of 19th century botanical and … Read the full post
Sprawling Bluebell (Wahlenbergia gracilis)
Sprawling Bluebell (Wahlenbergia gracilis), a widespread indigenous plant that copes well with disturbance and regularly shows up colonising pavements, walls, garden beds and plant pots … Read the full post
Castor Oil Plant (Ricinus communis)
Castor Oil Plant (Ricinus communis), a shrub or minor tree native to Eastern Africa. The species has been distributed throughout the global tropics and warm … Read the full post
Blue Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica)
Blue Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica), alien infestation of metropolitan Melbourne. A pan-tropical plant of uncertain origin, Blue Morning Glory was sold in Melbourne from 1855 … Read the full post
Four o’clock flower (Mirabilis jalapa)
Four o’clock flower (Mirabilis jalapa), a cultivated pre-contact plant of Central America that became a minor pan-tropical weed and garden escape worldwide following its adoption … Read the full post
Nemesia hybrid cultivars (Nemesia cv.)
Nemesia hybrid cultivars (Nemesia cv.), growing as an infestation over a block and a half of East Melbourne. Nemesia as a genus stems exclusively from … Read the full post
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum), a familiar house plant that spreads adventitiously in urban environments and natural areas when irresponsibly discarded. Originating in tropical and southern … Read the full post
Coastal Galenia, Blanket Weed, Carpet Weed (Galenia pubescens)
Coastal Galenia, Blanket Weed, Carpet Weed (Galenia pubescens). A South African blanketing groundcover, this relative of native and non-native pig faces and ice plants in … Read the full post
Purple-top (Verbena bonariensis)
Purple-top (Verbena bonariensis), specifically the variety V. bonariensis var. bonariesis. The other is var. conglomerata, which this channel covered earlier in the season. As noted … Read the full post
Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola)
Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola), direct progenitor of garden lettuce and ubiquitous feature of disturbed, paved and wasted landscapes. The growth cycle of Prickly Lettuce is … Read the full post
Artichoke Thistle (Cynara cardunculus)
Artichoke Thistle (Cynara cardunculus), a signature of landowner neglect throughout the basalt clay of Melbourne’s north and west peripheral. This Mediterranean plant was listed as … Read the full post
Heartleaf Iceplant (Aptenia cordifolia)
Heartleaf Iceplant (Aptenia cordifolia), a South African relative of Australia’s native pigfaces. Marketed by Melbourne nurseries since at least 1876 (thanks G. Brunning), this species … Read the full post
Nodding Saltbush (Einadia nutans ssp. nutans)
Nodding Saltbush (Einadia nutans ssp. nutans), an indigenous Australian specialist of rocky and otherwise obstructed environments, and a surprising urban colonist. There is a repeated … Read the full post
Sandspurry (Spergularia rubra)
Sandspurry (Spergularia rubra), a European annual that made the jump to cosmopolitan weed status in North America, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. This cryptic microgreen … Read the full post
Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris)
Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris), in alkaline coastal scrub along the back beach of the Mornington Peninsula. A European perennial flower and occasional harvested cooking green, … Read the full post
Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
Chicory (Cichorium intybus), perhaps more familiar today in cultivated forms as the edible greens Endive and Radicchio, but a historically significant coffee substitute or adulterant. … Read the full post
Mexican Fleabane, Seaside Daisy (Erigeron karvinskianus)
Mexican Fleabane, Seaside Daisy (Erigeron karvinskianus). Infinitely spreading, this is a favoured Melbourne fence and border floss, but also a covert weed that has made … Read the full post