Watch out for this pretty flower
Green thumbs are being asked to watch out for a beautiful but toxic flower that could be growing in their backyards.
What you need to know:
- Every part of the plant is poisonous, and can cause gastroenteritis, thirst, paralysis, blindness, and heart and kidney failure.
- This plant is hardy and normal pest control efforts are often not enough to eradicate.
- The cape tulip, growing up to 90cm high with one strap-like leaf, was introduced to Aotearoa in the 1940s, the Ministry for Primary Industries’ manager for pest management John Sanson said. “Cape tulips, like many of these invasive weeds, are really attractive ornamental species ...but they escape over people’s backyard fences and into pasture, as these things often do,”
- It was classified as a noxious plant in the late 1970s after they were discovered to cause harm to livestock and humans, even killing animals when too much as ingested.
- The salmon-pink flowers bloom for about two days a year between June and December, and have previously been an ornamental species for keen gardeners.
Sanson urged people who believed they had the weed growing on their property to leave it untouched and contact Biosecurity New New Zealand’s Exotic Pest and Disease on 0800 80 99 66.
Once a site was confirmed, manual removal or chemical treatment would start.
Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.
We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?
Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.
-
53.2% Yes
-
46.8% No
Constable Street car wash rip off!
Hi, today I went to the Constable Street car wash that's beside the petrol station. After depositing $6 for three different rinse cycles I discovered that there was no water pressure for any of them. I had just foamed my car so I had to drive around and join the que again to use the left car wash....this time I discovered that $2 only rinses half of my small Suzuki Swift whereas $2 used to rinse the whole car nicely. Two or three weeks ago I encountered the same 'no water pressure' problem there. I imagine that people will be depositing $2 coins to no avail in a continuous stream. It appears that the owner doesn't care about providing a proper service to to their paying customers.
"Christmas Ukulele Jam" <> Island Bay <> Sat 13th Dec
Tinsel up and come along to play and sing some most-loved Christmas carols and Christmas songs.
7pm, 88 The Parade, Island Bay. Doors open 6.30pm.
Bring a friend or the family, your guitar or ukulele, whistle or fiddle - all acoustic instruments are welcome. If you'd just like to sing, that's great!
Bring a music stand and a tablet to access the songbook - here: heyzine.com...
There will also be paper songbooks on the night.
The church is 100m city side of the Island Bay shops. Good off-street parking right there.
Loading…
