Cape weed

Arctotheca calendula

Quick facts

Status

permitted s11

Life Cycle

Annual

Growth Form

Herb

Origin

South Africa

Flowers

Yellow

Dispersal

Wind, soil movement

Names

Other Common Names: Cape daisy, Cape dandelion, Cape marigold, Cape weed, Marigold, Plain treasure flower, Silverspreader, South African Capeweed, Fertile Capeweed

Form and function

A low spreading annual species. Germinates in winter and grows vegetatively as a rosetted until flowering. Common in agriculture and a weed of highly disturbed areas of bushland (roadsides, river edges, firebreaks).

Flowers

•    Bright yellow daisy like flower heads with many ‘petals’ and a dark purple centre.
•    Flower heads are about 2–6 cm across and sit on upright stems up to 30 cm tall.
•    Flower stalks are often slightly hairy.

Leaves

•    Mostly grow at the base, long and narrow (5 to 25 cm), with deeply toothed or lobed edges.
•    Upper surface is smooth or slightly hairy, while the underside is covered in a white, woolly layer.
•    Leaves are soft and slightly succulent, with a prominent central vein underneath.
•    Upper leaves may clasp the stem.

Seed

•    Produces small, oblong seeds (about 2–2.5 mm long).
•    Seeds are covered in a dense, brownish woolly coating.
•    This wool helps retain moisture and aids germination, especially in low rainfall.

Roots

•    Shallow root system typical of annual herbs.
•    Can also spread vegetatively from stem (stolon) fragments.
•    Reproduces mainly through large numbers of seeds that persist in the soil and germinate under favourable conditions.

Habitat

Highly disturbed areas of bushland, near agricultural properties spreading into bushland. In open canopy, doesn't persist in shade. Common in temperate areas.

How does it spread?

Seed are dispersed across short distances by wind, attached to animals, shoes and clothing, or movement of contaminated soil, mud or contaminated agricultural produce.

Why is it a weed?

• Can impact on soil moisture and nutrient availability, however, does not seems to compete well in natural undisturbed ecosystems
• Can be a relatively poor competitor with native species, but if established can have a moderate impact on native plant communities.

May be confused with...

The capeweed is very similar beach daisy (Arctotheca populifolia) which can be distinguished by its completely yellow petals compared to the pale-yellow tips of the capeweed and to the Gazania genus (also native to southern Africa). Gazanias can be distinguished from the capeweed by its larger flower heads and various coloured petals with darker bases.

History

Cultivated as an attractive ornamental groundcover. Introduced into Australia from South Africa (probably on repeated occasions) as a seed contaminant in stock fodder and packing straw with the earliest record of its presence in Western Australia in King George Sound, Albany in 1834. Sites with the early introduction of the capeweed have similar climates to that of Capetown. The further rapid spread of the capeweed into central Western Australia and into the eastern states was facilitated the expansion of agriculture during the 1800’s and the consequent increase in human transport

How to control

Physical

Chemical

Managerial

Physical

Physical control including hand pulling and grubbing has been proven as a good (80-95%) control method when ensuring that all parts of the plant are removed. Small infestations can be managed by hand pulling and grubbing the plant before flowering, ensuring the root is severed well below ground level to prevent re-sprouting from the crown.

Other methods such as slashing with a mower or handheld brush cutter may facilitate further spread, however if repeated regularly and close to the ground, can provide some control when combined with chemical control.

Chemical

All herbicide is best applied during budding and early growth stages. Flowering starts as early as August and planning for spraying should anticipate this.

Non-selective herbicides

For small infestations, spot spray 10mL of glyphosate (450g/L) in 10L of water using a foliar application method.

Selective herbicides

For small infestations, apply 2.5 gms of Clopyralid (750g/kg) plus 25 ml of a wetting agent with 10L of water. Alternatively, 100-150 ml of MCPA (570g/L) in 10L.

For larger infestations, foliar spraying with 120g/Ha of Clopyralid (750g/kg) plus 0.25% wetting agent using a boom sprayer, ensuring full leaf coverage and spraying the leaves until just wet. This method is fairly selective and is safe on many native species.

Managerial

Revegetate and replant native shrubs and taller species to reduce light levels and increase shade, creating conditions that are unfavourable for capeweed growth and spread. These plants can effectively shade out weeds. Revegetation is often combined with mulching which can be done by applying an organic mulch to the affected area to further suppress the weeds and improve soil health. This should be done before the capeweed flowers and sets seed.

Image credits

References

Atlas of Living Australia. (n.d.). Arctotheca Vaill.

DPIRD, Western Australia. (2024) Capeweed and its management. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Perth.

Linder, D. (2015, August). Capeweed: Effects and Management in Western Australia.

Moore, J., & Wheeler, J. (2008) Southern weeds and their control. Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia.

UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences. (n.d.) Weed Management Notes. Weed Research and Information Center.

Weeds of Australia. (n.d.) Arctotheca calendula (L.) Levyns. Weeds of Australia.

Western Australian Herbarium (1998–) Florabase—the Western Australian flora. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions

Wood, H. (1994). The introduction and spread of capeweed, Arctotheca calendula (L.) Levyns Asteraceae) in Australia. Plant Protection Quarterly , 9(3), 94–100.

Life Cycle

	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC	Notes
Germination
Active growth
Flowering
Fruiting

Regularly or most commonly

Occasionally, given suitable conditions

Management

	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC	Notes
Hand removal
Foliar spray

Optimal

Potentially, but conditionally dependent

Last updated: October 2026

Cape weed

Quick facts

Names