Weed Potential
As a weedEaster Cassia is highly invasive appearing predominately in warm temperate coastal regions and infests woodlands behind dunes, gullies, bushland margins or along water courses and in disturbed soil or neglected landscapes.

It forms dense stands that reduces light inhibiting the regeneration of native tree or shrub seedlings and prevents ground flora from growing. It is fast growing tolerating most soils and positions maturing in 2 to 3 years and living for up to 20 years.

Seeds are produced prolifically from autumn to winter and can remain dormant in the soil for up to 5-years. Damaged plants will re-shoot from the base and plant numbers greatly increase when surrounding soil is disturbed. The seeds are dispersed by water or in soil and garden waste.

Controlmethods include physically digging out seedlings and small plants when the soil is moist ensuring that the roots are removed. Fruiting branches should be bagged and destroyed.

Plants can be cut and painted on the stems or drilled and injected in the trunk with a non-selective herbicide during spring. Young plants or seedlings may be sprayed with a non-selective herbicide during spring while the plant is actively growing but follow up spraying will be required.