Ochna, or the Mickey Mouse plant as it is colloquially known, is a common garden plant that escapes gardens to negatively impact natural areas.
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It is now widespread and common in coastal areas of the MidCoast region.
Unfortunately, it is also spreading into remote and rural areas, primarily around human habitation.
It is largely dispersed by birds who eat the berries and spread the seeds in their droppings.
An evergreen shrub that grows up to two metres tall and produces berries that turn from green to black, it is extremely hard to kill and often re-sprouts after mechanical and chemical control.
Follow-up control is a critical element in its management.
MidCoast Council is currently spending many thousands of dollars annually treating Ochna in areas of high ecological value for the protection of biodiversity.
If residents have this plant in there yard they can contact council for advice on how to effectively manage it.
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