Boneseed (Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. monilifera) is native to the Cape region of South Africa. Boneseed and the closely related bitou bush (C. monilifera ssp. rotundata) are collectively recognised in Australia as one of the twenty Weeds of National Significance (WONS) because of their invasiveness, potential for spread, and environmental and economic impacts (Thorp & Lynch 2000).
There are four other subspecies of Chrysanthemoides monilifera in South Africa (ssp. canescens, ssp. pisifera, ssp. septentrionalis and ssp. subcanescens), but fortunately they have not been introduced to Australia. The importation of any Chrysanthemoides monilifera subspecies is illegal under Australia’s strict quarantine laws.
