• Large fast-growing much-branched sprawling shrub from Central and South America, with square brittle prickly stems. Can become vine-like, and scramble up into trees.
• Oval leaves are mid-green, deeply wrinkled and hairy, with toothed edges and a distinctive aromatic odour when crushed.
• Flower heads are flat, 2-3cm across, consist of many tiny tubular flowers, and come in a variety of colours from cream through pink and red, often in combination. Flowers most of the year.
• A cluster of fleshy purplish-black berries follows the flower.

Spread into bushland by fruit-eating birds, and also by garden dumping: stems lying on moist soil will layer (grow roots).

Aggressively invades rich soils in open forest, disturbed rainforest and creeklines, competes vigorously with native species, forms impenetrable thickets, creates dense shade and heavy leaf litter. Reduces biodiversity, transforms ecosystems.

Lower Blue Mountains.

Dense prickly native shrubs: Spike Wattle (Acacia oxycedrus); Needlebush (Hakea sericea); Blackthorn (Bursaria spinosa); Grevilleas (G. hookerana, G. juniperina).

See Control of Woody Weeds; or slash, spray regrowth at 1m. Don't leave cut stems on ground.