Beware of Mother of millions’
Mother-of-millions
Category 1b – must be removed by the property owner and may not be cultivated or sold.
What does it look like?
An erect, succulent plant 10cm to 1m tall, with mottled stems and leaves. The flowers are tubular, pink-orange, and hang in “chandeliers” from the top of the plants (hence another common name, “chandelier plant”). It is currently in flower in and around Grahamstown. The tiny “fingers” on the ends of the leaves can all grow into myriad new plants (hence the name “mother-ofmillions”).
Where does from? it come
This species – together with two other similar-looking invasive succulents in the genus Bryophyllum (green motherof-millions B proliferum and cathedral bells B pinnatum; also both category 1b) – is from Madagascar. Lavender scallops ( B fedtschenkoi) and alligator plant ( B daigremontianum) are also potentially invasive and should be removed as well.
Why is it bad?
The main problem with this plant is that it spreads extremely easily from seeds and from the “fingers” on the leaftips; in fact every broken piece will grow into a new plant.
As a result it is a menace to manually address once established on farmland. It is highly toxic to livestock, humans and wildlife, and has a negative impact on the carrying capacity and biodiversity of stock farms, game farms and protected areas, including tourist attractions such as the Kruger National Park.
Given our local game farm industry, this should be a high priority species for local landowners to address. It is a common rockery plant in Grahamstown gardens, and is abundant in the veld on farms around town, particularly under bush-clumps and in disturbed ground.
It is drought resistant, and easily out-competes and replaces indigenous vegetation during times of water stress.
It is also a problem in East Africa, parts of the US and Australia and on numerous islands with a warm climate.
How can I control it?
If present in your garden, the best means of control is to manually remove each individual plant and dispose of them straight into a garden refuse bag (for disposal at the main tip or burning, not at garden refuse sites).
Where occurring on farmland, the same method can be employed when they are in flower (May-June), although it will take time to ensure all the plants are removed and a dedicated person should be entrusted with the task. An annual followup every May-June will be essential to ensure all individuals are accounted for.
It is important to try and prevent the fingers from dropping on the ground. Rather put them straight into the refuse bags.
Although no herbicides are currently registered for this species, spot-spraying using a broad-leaf herbicide might be the most economical solution for severe infestations where there are literally “millions”.
What can I replace it with?
South Africa is a contender for some of the richest diversity of succulent species in the world, and a large array of indigenous species are available through commercial sources. The flowers of mother-ofmillions are similar to our indigenous pigs-ear ( Cotyledon orbiculata), which grows very easily and is abundant in local gardens already. Other indigenous succulent replacements for rockeries are various aloe species (of which the Eastern Cape is blessed to have many), as well as the large number of available and very attractive vygies ( mesembryanthemaceae). • For alien invasive species advice, property assessments, alien control plans and practical implementation of control actions, contact The Alien SWAT Team: Dr Ralph Clark 072 439 8981, Timothy Mattison 060 527 7816; thealienswatteam@gmail.com. Find The Alien SWAT Team on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ thealienswatteam/ Twitter @thealienswatteam