Weedbusters

Working together to protect New Zealand

  • Weedbusters
    • Who are Weedbusters?
  • What Are Weeds?
    • Weed List
    • Controlling Weeds
    • Disposing of Weed Waste
    • Banned Plants
  • Get Involved
    • Become a Weedbuster
    • Weedbusters Near You
    • Weed Quiz
    • 2-Minute Film Challenge Previous Winners
    • Funding Sources
  • Articles & Events
    • Articles
    • Events
    • Submit an Article
    • Submit an Event
  • Resources
    • How To…
    • Free Weedbusting Guide
    • Plant Me Instead Booklets
    • Weed Control Handbook
    • Display Panels
    • Media-Ready Material
    • Useful Links
  • Contact Us
You Are Here:
  1. Home
  2. What Are Weeds?
  3. Weed List
  4. Weed Information Sheet
What Are Weeds?

Weed Information Sheet

  • Weed List
  • Controlling Weeds
  • Disposing of Weed Waste
  • Banned Plants

Popular Links

  • Find That Weed!
  • Try the Weed Quiz
  • Read the Latest Articles
  • Weedbusters Near You
  • Weedbuster Events

Browse Weeds by Alphabet

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Phoenix palm

Botanical Name

Phoenix canariensis

Family

Arecaceae (palm)

Also known as

Canary Island date palm

Where is it originally from?

Canary Islands

What does it look like?

Large palm (<18 m tall) with single, thick, non-branching trunk (1.2 m diameter) with a diamond-shaped pattern from old leaf scars and large crown of foliage at the top of the trunk. Long, stiff leaves (<1.8 m) are made up of many leaflets that are dark green, lance-shaped and pointed (30-45 cm long), and the leaf stalk is covered with sharp, shiny green spines (5-8 cm) with a feathery appearance. Branched clusters of creamy yellow-white flowers open from a husk-like structure (Oct-Nov) on a long stem amongst the leaves, and are followed by fleshy, date-like fruit (1-5 cm long), ripening from orange-yellow to dark purple in summer.

Why is it weedy?

Thrives in a variety of habitats and soil types, tolerating cold and warmth, drought and floods, shade and sun, and salt spray as well as mountain climates. Sharp spines can cause injury to humans and animals.

How does it spread?

Seed is spread by birds and water.

What damage does it do?

Displaces native trees through sheer size, and the growth of seedlings can produce an impenetrable, long-lived subcanopy. Reduces water tables and can alter dune form through sand build up around its roots and resulting erosion elsewhere.

Which habitats is it likely to invade?

Sandy soils and other coastal sites, islands, urban areas, and water courses

What can I do to get rid of it?

1. Dig out seedlings and small plants (all year round): dispose of material at a refuse transfer station.
2. Drill and inject (all year round): drill holes at least 2.5 cm deep every 10 cm around trunk, near the ground, and inject each with 10 ml glyphosate (undiluted).
3. Cut and paint stumps (all year round): glyphosate (250ml/L). Leaves can be mulched, but dispose of trunk at refuse transfer station.
4. Overall spray (spring-summer): spray new growth with glyphosate (20ml/L + penetrant).

What can I do to stop it coming back?

Retreat any survivors after 1-2 months. Monitor the site for reinfestation or germination of seed bank. If possible track down and remove the seed source.

Images

Photo: Carolyn Lewis
Photo: Carolyn Lewis
Photo: Carolyn Lewis
Photo: Carolyn Lewis
Photo: Carolyn Lewis
Photo: Carolyn Lewis
Photo: Carolyn Lewis
Photo: Carolyn Lewis
Photo: Carolyn Lewis
Photo: Carolyn Lewis
Photo: Carolyn Lewis
Photo: Carolyn Lewis
Photo: Carolyn Lewis
Photo: Carolyn Lewis
Photo: Trevor James
Photo: Trevor James
Photo: Trevor James
Photo: Trevor James
Photo: Trevor James
Photo: Trevor James
Photo: Trevor James

Download PDF Information Sheet

Browse/Search Weeds

Weedbusters

  • Who are Weedbusters?

What Are Weeds?

  • Weed List
  • Controlling Weeds
  • Disposing of Weed Waste
  • Banned Plants

Get Involved

  • Become a Weedbuster
  • Weedbusters Near You
  • Weed Quiz
  • 2-Minute Film Challenge Previous Winners
  • Funding Sources

Articles & Events

  • Articles
  • Events
  • Submit an Article
  • Submit an Event

Resources

  • How To…
  • Free Weedbusting Guide
  • Plant Me Instead Booklets
  • Weed Control Handbook
  • Display Panels
  • Media-Ready Material
  • Useful Links
  • Home
  • Contact Us

© 2023 • Website by RS

  • Home
  • Weedbusters
    • Who are Weedbusters?
  • What Are Weeds?
    • Weed List
    • Controlling Weeds
      • Controlling Pest Shrubs & Trees
      • Controlling Pest Vines
      • Controlling Pest Herbs & Ground Covers
      • Controlling Pest Grasses
      • Controlling Pest Aquatic Weeds
    • Disposing of Weed Waste
    • Banned Plants
  • Get Involved
    • Become a Weedbuster
    • Weedbusters Near You
    • Weed Quiz
    • 2-Minute Film Challenge Previous Winners
    • Funding Sources
  • Articles & Events
    • Articles
    • Events
    • Submit an Article
      • Using Citizen Science for yellow flag iris data collection
    • Submit an Event
      • Kumeu River weed walk
  • Resources
    • How To…
      • Raise Weeds Awareness
      • Organise a Weedbusters Event
      • Put Together a Press Release
    • Free Weedbusting Guide
    • Plant Me Instead Booklets
    • Weed Control Handbook
    • Display Panels
    • Media-Ready Material
    • Useful Links
  • Contact Us
  • Find us on Facebook