New Weed Alert
If you live in Queensland, watch out for these new and emerging pest plants. If you believe you have found some, you should contact your local government weeds officer or your nearest Biosecurity Queensland Land Protection Officer (call 13 25 23).
Kudzu
This rampant vine has recently been found at an environmental reserve in the Blackall Ranges on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland. This is the second outbreak on the Sunshine Coast, with the other being at Kin Kin near Noosa. For more information, see the Biosecurity Queensland website or the Sunshine Coast Regional Council Bush Hands newsletter.
(image courtesy of Biosecurity Queensland)
June 2011
Hiptage
An aggressive vine which has been found growing along the Brisbane River, at Currumbin and at Mossman (north Queensland). For more information, see the Weed Society of Queensland website.
(image courtesy of Weed Society of Queensland)
November 2010
Telegraph Weed
Also known as 'sticky daisy' this tall herb grows densely to outcompete surrounding vegetation. Primarily a weed of sandy coastal soils, it can spread rapidly from wind blown seeds. Found along the Gold Coast strip and nearby islands (as well as central NSW). For more information, see the Weed Society of Queensland website.
(image courtesy of Weed Society of Queensland)
November 2010
Water Mimosa
This is an aquatic plant with ferny leaves similar to common sensitive plant. Growing in wet soil or in water, it can cover the entire surface, posing a significant threat to local waterways. It is currently known at Cairns and in areas south of Brisbane. For more information, see the Biosecurity Queensland website.
(image courtesy of Biosecurity Queensland)
November 2010
Tropical Soda Apple
Recently discovered for the first time in Australia at Wingham, Grafton, along the Macleay River and in the Clarance Valley, this member of the Solananceae family is related to such weeds as Devil's Fig, Devil's Apple and Apple of Sodom. The prickly shrub has distinctive golf ball sized fruit that look like minature watermelons which turn yellow when ripe. It has smallish white flowers, which is different to Apple of Sodom which has larger mauve flowers (but also has yellow ripe fruits). The more common Devil's Apple also has flowers, but has red fruits when ripe. . For more information, see the NSW Industry & Investment website. (images courtesy of NSW Industry & Investment). November 2010
Mexican Bean Tree
Also known as Cecropia, this small tree comes from troical America and has been found growing around the Cairns area, at Mackay, near Nambour and south of Brisbane. Growing as a small tree, it has large leaves similar in shape to that of a paw paw, but are soft and silvery underneath. The flowers are very distinctive, having many 'tentacle-like' appendages. For more information, see the Biosecurity Queensland website.
(image courtesy of Biosecurity Queensland)
November 2010