Watch out for this pretty flower
Green thumbs are being asked to watch out for a beautiful but toxic flower that could be growing in their backyards.
What you need to know:
- Every part of the plant is poisonous, and can cause gastroenteritis, thirst, paralysis, blindness, and heart and kidney failure.
- This plant is hardy and normal pest control efforts are often not enough to eradicate.
- The cape tulip, growing up to 90cm high with one strap-like leaf, was introduced to Aotearoa in the 1940s, the Ministry for Primary Industries’ manager for pest management John Sanson said. “Cape tulips, like many of these invasive weeds, are really attractive ornamental species ...but they escape over people’s backyard fences and into pasture, as these things often do,”
- It was classified as a noxious plant in the late 1970s after they were discovered to cause harm to livestock and humans, even killing animals when too much as ingested.
- The salmon-pink flowers bloom for about two days a year between June and December, and have previously been an ornamental species for keen gardeners.
Sanson urged people who believed they had the weed growing on their property to leave it untouched and contact Biosecurity New New Zealand’s Exotic Pest and Disease on 0800 80 99 66.
Once a site was confirmed, manual removal or chemical treatment would start.
Poll: Would you rather: Christmas in summer forever or winter forever?
Just a bit of a fun poll to get you thinking.
If you had to live out your Christmas days, would you prefer it was a summer Christmas or a winter Christmas?
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62.7% Summer
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35.9% Winter
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1.4% Other - I'll share below
What word sums up 2024, neighbours?
If 2020 was the year of lockdowns, banana bread, and WFH (work from home)....
In one word, how would you define 2024?
We're excited to see what you come up with!
Strength & Balance Falls Prevention FREE Classes
New Year = FREE Steady As You GO strength and balance exercise programme designed to improve your leg strength, flexibility, general fitness, and wellbeing to prevent falls and injuries. Attending one of these classes is also a great way to meet new people.
Locations and times:
•Mondays at Age Concern Hawke's Bay-Hastings at 10am and 11am
415 Heretaunga Steet East, Hastings
•Mondays at Equippers Church in Frimley at 9:30am
306 Hapuku Street, Frimley
•Tuesday at the Maraekakaho Town Hall at 10am
64 Kereru Road, Maraekakaho
•Wednesday at St Luke's at 10am & 11:30am
24 Te Mata Road, Havelock North
•Fridays at The Station Community Church in Raureka at 10am
901 Florence Street, Raureka
Booking is essential as numbers are limited. Email healthpromotion@ageconcernhb.co.nz or call 068709060 to register.
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