Quick Facts

Quick facts

• Badhara Bush (Gmelina elliptica) is a thorny shrub which forms dense impenetrable thickets.
• It shades out useful pasture species and prevents stock movement. It also has significant impacts on natural areas, decreasing the biodiversity.
• Badhara Bush is currently the target of an extensive eradication program.

What Does It Look Like?

What is it?

Badhara Bush (Gmelina elliptica) is a highly variable thorny shrub or small tree, 2 to 4 m high, occasionally reaching 10 m. The stems are usually yellowish or brownish white and the branches are armed with pairs of spines. Leaves are dark green above, paler below, borne in opposite pairs, usually with one of the pair smaller than its companion and generally ovate (egg shaped), 1 to 10 cm long, 1.5 to 6 cm wide and pointed at the apex. Younger leaves are 3-lobed while older leaves are entire (without lobes), with sparse hairs on the underside. Flowers are yellow and tubular, generally around 5 cm long. The fruit is yellow when ripe, pear-shaped and about 1.5 cm across (Department of Natural Resources and Water 2006)

For further information and assistance with identification of Badhara Bush contact the herbarium in your state or territory.

Flower colour

Yellow

Growth form (weed type/habit)

Tree, Shrub

Where it currently grows? Preferred habitat

Badhara Bush grows in open deciduous or wet scrubby forests of subtropical regions, principally occurring on sandy or sandy clay soils in the 1500 to 2000 mm annual rainfall belt at altitudes between sea level and 950 metres. It often occurs as a weed in dry, intermittently flowing water-courses (Parsons & Cuthbertson 2001).

Are there similar species?

Badhara Bush (Gmelina elliptica) is similar to the native White Beech (Gmelina leichhardtii), but can be distinguished by its scrambling shrubby habit and spiny branches. White Beech is normally a well formed tree, with spineless branches (Munir 1984).

Why Is It A Weed?

What are its impacts?

Badhara Bush is one of seventeen sleeper weeds identified by the Bureau of Rural Sciences (following consultation with the Australian Weeds Committee) which could have nationally significant impacts on agriculture if allowed to spread.

Badhara Bush is a thorny shrub which forms dense impenetrable thickets, shading-out useful pasture species and preventing stock movement. It also has significant impacts on natural areas, decreasing biodiversity and causing lasting environmental effects (Parsons & Cuthbertson 2001; Department of Natural Resources and Water 2006).

How does it spread?

Badhara Bush spreads mainly by the bitter, but edible seeds which birds and other animals spread in their droppings. Its woody taproot can also produce suckers, particularly after disturbance, allowing colonies of the shrub to spread along their perimeter (Parson & Cuthbertson 2001; Department of Natural Resources and Water 2006).

What is its history in Australia?

When and how Badhara Bush was introduced to Australia is not known with certainty. However, as it was first found near Rockhampton where a large military hospital was sited during World War II, it is thought to have been introduced accidentally by troops during that period (Parsons & Cuthbertson 2001).

How To Manage It?

Best practice management

Single plants or small colonies of Badhara Bush may be grubbed out and burnt. Care must be taken to remove as many of the surface lateral roots to minimise suckering. Follow up is required to monitor the treated area and remove any suckers.

Larger colonies should be treated chemically; however, Badhara Bush is tolerant of many herbicides (Parsons & Cuthbertson 2001). Please see the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority for chemical information http://www.apvma.gov.au .

The known infestations of Badhara Bush in Queensland are currently the target of an extensive eradication program. All suspected infestations should be reported to the local government Pest Management / Environmental Officer or local Department of Natural Resources and Mines Land Protection Officer (Department of Natural Resources and Water 2006).

Does it have a biological control agent?

NO

When does it grow? (lifecycle/growth calendar)

Seeds germinate after the first summer storm rains. Seedling growth is slow at first, but increases rapidly as the season advances. The first flowers appear in the second or third year after emergence. Established plants in areas of high rainfall tend to flower and set seed during most of the year (Parsons & Cuthbertson 2001).

Where Is It Found?

Which states and territories is it found?

QLD

What areas within states and territories is it found?

Badhara Bush occurs in central Queensland around the coastal areas near Yeppoon and Rockhampton. Although this infestation is currently the target of an extensive eradication program, it is possible this plant has become established elsewhere (Department of Natural Resources and Water 2006).

Where does it originate?

Badhara Bush occurs naturally throughout much of Asia, although it has been introduced to warmer regions of the world, particularly as a cultivated ornamental (Department of Natural Resources and Water 2006).

National And State Weed Listings

Is it a Weed of National Significance (WONS)?

NO

Where is it a declared weed?

QLD, WA

Government weed strategies and lists – Weeds Australia

Is it on the National Alert List for Environmental Weeds?

NO

Government weed strategies and lists – Weeds Australia

Is it on the Agricultural Sleeper List?

YES

Government weed strategies and lists – Weeds Australia

Names And Taxonomy

Main scientific name

Gmelina elliptica

Other scientific names (synonyms)?

• Gmelina asiatica var. villosa (Roxb.) Bakh.
• Gmelina villosa Roxb.
• Gmelina asiatica L. (misapplied by Kurz, W.S. 1877, Forest Flora of British Burma. 2: 265)

Does it have other known common name(s)?

Common Bulang, Asiatic Beechberry, Oval-leafed Gmelina