List of common weeds of Queensland

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

There are a number of commonly occurring weeds or invasive plant species in Queensland, Australia. These plants typically produce large numbers of seeds, often excellent at surviving and reproducing in disturbed environments and are commonly the first species to colonise and dominate in these conditions. Weeds may reduce native biodiversity, affect agricultural productivity, the environment, human health and amenity.

Contents

[edit] Declared plants

Under Queensland State legislation, invasive plant species may be declared[1] as Class 1, 2 or 3, for control, where they have, or could have, serious economic, environmental or social impacts. Legal obligations are associated with the control, supply, sale, keeping and transport of declared plants. It is an offence to introduce, keep or supply a declared plant without a permit. Plants that are not declared may still have controls and restrictions placed on them at a local government level.

Class 1

  • A Class 1 plant is not commonly present in Queensland and, if introduced, would cause an adverse economic, environmental or social impact. Class 1 plants established in Queensland are subject to eradication from the state. Landowners must take reasonable steps to keep land free of Class 1 plants.

Class 2

  • Class 2 plants are established in Queensland and have, or could have, an adverse economic, environmental or social impact. The management of these pests requires coordination and they are subject to programs led by local government, community or landowners. Landowners must take reasonable steps to keep land free of Class 2 pests.

Class 3

  • Class 3 plants are established in Queensland and have, or could have, an adverse economic, environmental or social impact. The primary objective of Class 3 listing is to prevent sale, therefore preventing the spread of these pests into new areas. Landholders are not required to control Class 3 plants unless their land is adjacent to an environmentally significant area.

[edit] Common weeds

Some common weeds of Queensland are listed below. Weeds that are not yet common or established but pose a significant threat are identified by an asterix. Weeds that are identified as Australian Weeds of National Significance are noted as "WONS".


Common Name Scientific Name Origin Description Signif- icance Primary Distribution Image Ref.
African tulip tree Spathodea campanulata tropical Africa Fast growing, highly invasive, evergreen tree forming dense stands in gullies and streams, crowding out native vegetation Class 3 SE Qld and gardens [2]
Alligator Weed* Alternanthera philoxeroides South America Grows on land in damp soil, or in water as dense floating mats Class 1 WONS Potential to establish in all Queensland coastal areas and inland agricultural and urban areas [3]
Camphor laurel Cinnamomum camphora Asia Large attractive shade tree, aggressively replaces native vegetation Class 3 Gardens through-out Qld [4]
Fireweed Senecio madagascariensis Madagascar, Southern Africa Daisy-like herb with bright yellow flowers, competes with pasture species Class 2 New South Wales coast and north to Brisbane [5]
Lantana Lantana camara Central, South America Heavily branched shrub that can grow as compact clumps, dense thickets and as scrambling and climbing vines that smother native vegetation Class 3 WONS Most coastal and sub-coastal areas of eastern Australia [6]
Mesquite Prosopis spp. North, South America Spread significantly in Queensland, may form dense impenetrable thickets, aggressive competitor and drought tolerant Class 1 WONS Western Qld [7]
Mother of millions Bryophyllum spp. Madagascar Succulent type plant well adapted to dry areas, highly toxic to stock, forms masses of embryoids (plantlets), hard to eradicate Class 2 Ornamental garden plant, Central Highlands, Burnett [8]
Ochna (aka Mickey Mouse plant) Ochna serrulata Africa Ornamental species, easily dispersed to new areas by birds eating the fruits n/a Widely planted in gardens [9]
Parkinsonia Parkinsonia aculeata tropical America Introduced ornamental small shade tree, seeds float, forms dense, thorny thickets along watercourses Class 2 WONS inland Qld [10]
Parthenium Parthenium hysterophorus tropical America Vigorous coloniser of weak pastures, disturbed areas, brigalow, gidgee and softwood scrub soils. Linked to health allergies Class 2 WONS predominantly Central Qld [11]
Prickly pear Opuntia spp. Americas Spiky cactus, drought resistant, widespread infestation in early 20th c. but reduced through biological control Class 2 Central, Southern Qld [12]
Willow Salix spp. Northern hemisphere Popular garden ornamentals, but invasive in waterways with aggressive root systems Class 1 WONS Cooler parts of Qld [13]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Qld Dept of Primary Industries & Fisheries - Declared plants of Queensland
  2. ^ Qld Dept of Primary Industries & Fisheries - African tulip tree
  3. ^ Qld Dept of Primary Industries & Fisheries - Alligator Weed
  4. ^ Qld Dept of Primary Industries & Fisheries - Camphor laurel
  5. ^ Qld Dept of Primary Industries & Fisheries - Fireweed
  6. ^ Qld Dept of Primary Industries & Fisheries - Lantana
  7. ^ Qld Dept of Primary Industries & Fisheries - Mesquite
  8. ^ Qld Dept of Primary Industries & Fisheries - Mother of millions
  9. ^ Qld Dept of Primary Industries & Fisheries - Ochna or mickey mouse plant
  10. ^ Qld Dept of Primary Industries & Fisheries - Parkinsonia
  11. ^ Qld Dept of Primary Industries & Fisheries - Parthenium
  12. ^ Qld Dept of Primary Industries & Fisheries - Prickly pear
  13. ^ Qld Dept of Primary Industries & Fisheries - Willow

[edit] Further reading

Chronological order of publication (oldest first)

  • Kleinschmidt, H. E [1977]. Weeds of Queensland. Queensland Department of Primary Industries, 469. 
  • Parsons, W [1992]. Noxious Weeds of Australia. 
  • Panetta, F [1998]. The Biology of Australian Weeds Vol.2. 


[edit] External links