Propagation
Sow fresh seeds when ripe, germination will occur within one month. As a noxious plant in Australia it is against the law to propagate it.


Botanic information
Leaf: The grey green leaves are ovate to oblong or lanceolate with distinct veins and are covered in appressed hairs. The apex is obtuse and the margin is undulating. The basal leaves are arranged in a rosette and the sessile stem leaves appear alternately along the pubescence stems.

Flower: The purple or occasionally white tubulate to funnelform flowers have 5-fused petals and has 5-unequal exserted reddish stamens. They are arranged in a long terminal or axillary panicle that is held high above the foliage on scape that is up to 600 mm (2 ft) tall and appear in succession from late spring to summer.

Fruit: The small wrinkled nutlets are arranged in a cluster and are protected by a husk which is covered in stiff bristles. It is distributed by attaching itself to animals or clothing and by water. The seeds may also contaminate feed grain or attach themselves to machinery.