Pig’s ear
Botanical Name
Cotyledon orbiculata
Family
Crassulaceae (stonecrop)
Also known as
African pig’s ear, round-leafed navel-wort, elk horn
Where is it originally from?
South Africa
What does it look like?
Succulent (<1.3m tall) with powdery-looking, grey-green opposite leaves (<13 x 6 cm) with red margins. In summer clusters of orange, bell-shaped, drooping flowers (2.5cm) form on stalks (60cm) from the centre of leaf rosette.
Why is it weedy?
Fast growing, outcompetes native species.
How does it spread?
Seed spreads by wind and gravity.
What damage does it do?
Competes with and replaces native species. Can be poisonous to stock.
Which habitats is it likely to invade?
Coastal slopes and beaches, often on steep banks, rocky outcrops, cliff faces and bare ledges, sometimes in low scrub and dry depleted grassland. Coastal cliffs, rocky bluffs.
What can I do to get rid of it?
1. Physical removal (all year round) - Dig out entire plant - Ensure all plant material is disposed of to refuse, burnt or buried deeply to prevent regrowth. Ensure no plant material is left on site.
3. Foliar spray - Apply metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg (0.5g/L) + glyphosate 360g/L (20ml/L) + organosilicone penetrant (2ml/L) from knapsack sprayer.
*Note: Overspray will kill other (desirable) plants. Avoid spraying metsulfuron around the root zone of desirable plants.
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