(Coprosma robusta)
What is Karamu?
Karamu is an evergreen shrub or tree native to New Zealand. Originally introduced as a garden ornamental karamu is now an environmental weed.
Karamu is a
declared weed in Tasmania under the Tasmanian Biosecurity Act 2019 and associated Regulations. The importation, sale and distribution of karamu are prohibited in Tasmania.
How to identify karamu
Karamu grows to around 6 metres. The leaves are opposite, large, thick and glossy, and with pointed tips. Karamu flowers are small, greenish and growing in clusters. The fruit is a fleshy berry, green initially before maturing to orange-red over late summer.
Karamu leaves, © Karen Stewart
Karamu in Tasmania
Karamu is recorded from the east coast, Fern Tree, the Gordon River Dam and larger populations are found along the Derwent River around New Norfolk.
Karamu is able to invade relatively undisturbed native vegetation, particularly damp and wet eucalypt forest. It forms dense thickets and can eventually shade out native understorey species.
Legal status of karamu in your area
What you need to do
If you locate karamu anywhere in Tasmania, or if you find a plant that you think could be karamu, immediately contact Biosecurity Tasmania on 03 6165 3777 to report this weed.
Detailed management and control guidelines for karamu can be found in the Karamu Control Guide. Refer also to
Herbicides for Karamu Control. For further information see Weed Links and Resources.
See also
Karamu Control Guide
Spread of karamu
Karamu reproduces by seed, with male and female flowers occurring on separate plants. Seed is dispersed mainly by birds, as well as in dumped garden waste.
The seed appears to be short lived so that a seed bank does not develop in the soil.
Physical removal
Seedlings and smaller bushes can be hand-pulled or dug out. The entire root system should be removed, as plants may re-grow from root-stock left in the ground.
The tops are likely to break off when pulling, so if roots remain in the soil they should be dug out.
Removed material bearing fruit should be destroyed (burning or bagging) and not dumped.
Burning
Chemical control
Under an off-label permit issued by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), a number of herbicides can be used to control karamu in Tasmania. See
Herbicides for Karamu Control for more information.
Herbicides are most effective on smaller plants under 2 metres and on fresh regrowth.
The cut-paint method provides best control, with seedlings, smaller plants and any regrowth removed manually.
Follow-up herbicide treatment may be required as plants can reshoot.
Herbicides for Karamu Control
Herbicides for Karamu Control
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