Onehunga Weed

Onehunga weed, commonly called prickle weed, and bindii in Australia, is a branched prickly-seeded weed that forms in patches up to 40 cm across in lawns, playing fields and golf courses.

It is a very unpleasant weed in lawns and turf due to the prickles on its ripe seeds which make walking or lying on the lawn painful.

In Lawns

• Apply LawnPro Turfclean Ultra or LawnPro Prickle and Hydrocotyle. It effectively kills Onehunga weed but leaves your lawn grasses unaffected. Allow 2-3 weeks for prickle weeds to die.
• Optimum control is achieved in Spring, Summer and Autumn when weed and lawn growth is vigorous.
• For situations where prickle weed or hydrocotyle predominate, undertake soil management at the same time – both prickle weeds and hydrocotyle prefer sour acidic (i.e. low soil pH) and poorly draining soil.  Apply 100 g/m2 of lime two weeks prior to spraying. Also consider improving drainage, removing shade or aerating the soil to make the area less suitable for these weeds.
• Note: LawnPro Turfclean will also effectively control prickle weed.
• For Dichondra lawns and other non-grass lawns you can spot treat with Weed Weapon Invade Gel.

In Flower Beds and Waste Places

• Apply Weed Weapon Rapid Action or Weed Weapon Invade Gel.

• Prickle weed is also known as onehunga weed. It is the seeds of prickle weed that are prickly. Get rid of prickle weed to ensure that your lawn is a pleasant place to walk barefoot.
• The scientific name of onehunga prickle weed is Soliva sessilis, Button onehunga - Solvia anthemifolia

• The main reason Onehunga is a weed is it's prickly seeds. It is essential to kill the Onehunga before it flowers and seeds. If left until the seeds are already present the prickles will still be in the lawn.
• The flowers are inconspicuous pale green flower heads, control is best carried out before or soon after they appear.