Small, perennial, semi-evergreen shrub growing to 1.5 m high
Pale yellow terminal bunches of flowers appear from November to February, followed by clusters of round fruit, red-coloured, turning to black and up to 10 mm diameter. Each fruit is set in a circle of green bracts
Oval leaves, up to 10 cm long and without a stalk, are in opposite pairs on each branch. Leaves smell of curry when crushed
Found in forest, shrub-land and tussock grass-lands, where there has been a lot of disturbance, and in rocky areas. Also inhabits riparian areas, rocky and open streams, coastal areas, roadsides, banks and lightly farmed land
Prefers wetter, cooler areas and tolerates light shade.
Biology
Origin
Originated from South and Western Europe
Recognised as a pasture weed in New Zealand as early as 1955 and has become a significant pest plant in parts of the North Island.
Life Cycle
Perennial species with new plants growing from seed
Fruit ripen over summer but remain on the plant until eaten or knocked off to disperse large numbers of tiny, dust-like seeds
Fruit and seeds are spread by birds and possibly possums, as well as in water
Common sources of seed include roadsides, farms, waste land, old gardens and cemeteries
Appears to spread along roadsides in the Manawatu due to mowing of road verges.
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Impacts
Tutsan can form extensive patches over one hectare in size
Dense cover of branches and rotting leaves formed by the plants can smother existing low-growing native or desirable plant communities and seriously inhibit their regeneration
Can suppress pasture in high country or in areas of low fertility
Tutsan may infest lightly shaded native forest lands and therefore prevent forest  regeneration. It can also dominate riparian areas.
Control
Control of established infestations is difficult
Small infestations can be removed by hand
Repeat mowing may weaken the plant.
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HERBICIDE CONTROL
Application
Time of application
metsulfuron
Spot spray
spring or early summer
triclopyr
Spot spray
spring or early summer
triclopyr/picloram
Spot spray
spring or early summer
Follow-up control is likely to be required. Tutsan may re-sprout from woody stems after poor spray application and regeneration of plants from seed may also occur.
Further information
Popay I, Champion P, James T 2010. An illustrated guide to common weeds of New Zealand. New Zealand Plant Protection Society, Christchurch, New Zealand. 416 p.
Young S 2013. New Zealand Novachem agrichemical manual. Agrimedia Ltd., Christchurch, New Zealand. 767 p.
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