JOB’S TEARS

Coix lacryma-jobi

Eradicate This Weed

Description Tall clumping garden escapee up to 2 m tall that invades riparian and damp areas.

Leaves Alternate, mostly hairless, 10–50 cm long and 2–5 cm wide.

Fruit Shiny bead-like fruit, 5–15 mm long and 6–10 mm wide. May be white, blue-grey, grey-brown, yellow, orange, red or black.

Seedhead Occur in the upper forks of the plant and contain separate male and female parts.

Stems Thick, jointed, and upright.

Dispersal Seed dispersed by waterways, birds and animals eating and excreting the seed and deliberately cultivated for cereal crops, medicinal or ornamental purposes.

Confused with Introduced species Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum), Hymenachne (Hymenachne amplexicaulis), immature Giant reed (Arundo donax), Corn and Sugar cane.

Control Contact your local Rous County Council Weed Biosecurity Officer for control advice and disposal. Manually remove where appropriate. Ensure all seed is bagged and removed from the site. Foliar spray with herbicide registered for aquatic use. Follow-up control is essential.