Last month Beach Daisy was found for the first time on King Island at British Admiral and Porky Beaches by King Island resident Renae Gale and removed.
It was first recorded in Tasmania on Flinders Island in 1988.
It is still present on Flinders Island, but it is in a confined area on the east coast.
The invasive plant is common and abundant on the coasts of mainland Australia, where it is considered an environmental weed.
Beach Daisy originated in South Africa, and it is related to the paddock weed – Cape weed (Arctotheca calendula.
The habitats invaded are beach sand on front dunes with Spinifex.
The plants accumulate sand and alter the topography of sand dunes.
It is a prostrate perennial succulent herb growing to 30 cm high.
The 2 -6 cm long, 1.5 -5cm leaves and 8cm long stems are covered in white felt.
The flower heads are yellow and 15 -20 cm diameter.
The Daisy’s seeds are about 5 mm long, enveloped in whitish wool.