Weeds CRC: Enviroweeds Archive Titles

Please click on a letter to list all weeds in archive beginning with that letter.

Cakile edentula,Cakile maritima - Sea Rocket
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I am on the south coast of NSW and need information on Beach Daisy (Arctotheca populifolia) and Sea Rocket (Cakile edentula & Cakile maritima).

After checking several books and local experts, I am very confused. There is concensus that they are weeds. There the concensus stops. The information I need is:

1. Should they be eradicated?
2. Should they be left in place as stabilisers?
3. If they are eradicated, should they be replaced with something else, eg: spinifex? (There is spinifex on the dune already)
4. If they can be eradicated, is hand-digging the recommended method?

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On the Far North Coast I think the generally adopted view would be that these all are presumably exotics (not necessarily weeds however) - see Carolin & Clarke's "Beach Plants of S-E Australia" where they mention them being ship ballast introductions.

Surely however, whether they are a weed (and in turn possibly needing eradication) depends on local conditions? On this coast I am unaware of the two Cakiles being invasive. I suspect they generally do a good stabilising job and don't appear to be colonising any space at the expense of local indigenous dune stabilisers (they seem to coexist happily with spinifex, goatsfoot, pigface, pink and yellow beach beans and all). So our policy is to leave them there while that situation persists, but monitor it. That may not be so under other coastal conditions, so a different conclusion might be needed in your case.

On this Far North coast I think the most disputable similar "introduced" item might be American Pennywort (Hydrocotyle bonariensis) which is a very vigorous grower and quite difficult to hand-extract, and does sometimes out-compete indigenous species. I'd like suggestions as to how to get rid of it because it seems to leave deep rhizones (?) in the sand that re-sprout.

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Wendy Fuller's concerns may be well founded. It seems not to be so in every case and Lee Andresen's observations from an environment rather different to that of Rosedale are interesting by way of comparison.

At Rosedale we have American Sea Rocket (Cakile edulenta) and American Pennywort (Hydrocotyle bonariensis), both introductions. [We seem not to have either European Sea Rocket (C. maritima) or the native H. acutiloba.]

Neither seems to be a problem on our beach dunes, indeed the Sea Rocket comes up in alarmingly large numbers and then dies out after seeding. Although we remove it from plant guards where its effective rooting capacity gives it a significant competitive advantage over the planted spp, elsewhere on the dunes we feel its prolific growth provides useful additional protection, albeit rather temporary. This is significant on dunes which appear to be under vegetated and hence more vulnerable to erosion than leaves us feeling entirely comfortable. Fortunately we have no weed problems on our dunes, touch wood.

In a sub-dune area at Rosedale, Pennywort became alarmingly vigorous following the successful spraying of an almost pure stand of buffalo grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum), the legacy of a former dairying enterprise. However, over a period of about 3-4 y Pennywort regressed but did not disappear, giving way to a range of native species. It may well have competed with native spp and other weeds alike, but then the dense thatch of dead buffalo grass would have acted similarly. The outcome has been pleasing.

From the experiences reported from these three locations, it is clear that these introduced species present varying degrees of concern. Our fortunate experience with them does not signify that it is safe to let them rip elsewhere. In fact, they may yet prove to be a problem at Rosedale.

The best advice perhaps is to keep a close eye on things at your location and try to understand the ecology of what is happening. Good luck with it all.

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I'm also on the NSW South Coast, and my take on those two weeds are that sea rocket is so well established that you might as well not waste your time, but as beach daisy is still fairly sparse, why not try to keep it out?

Also beach daisy can build up substantial hummocks, and might have more impact on sand behaviour on the beach. We had a big colony at the mouth of Wallagoot Lake, which NPWS removed, which I suspect could have influenced the lake opening behaviour had it been allowed to persist and spread.

And beach daisy is not so confined to beaches as sea rocket - I have seen it growing among rocks around the base of a headland and I have heard it is invading grassland in western Victoria.

If you only have those two to worry about Wendy, you are doing well - wait till sea spurge arrives. Then you'll really be kept busy. It's on its way - getting quite well established on some far south coast beaches. And I do hear that in West Australia having conquered the beaches it is marching inland.

My weapon of choice for beach daisy is a shovel. Just plunging it into the sand and levering will loosen the sand sufficiently for the beach daisy to be readily pulled out. I then drape it over the top of nearby coast wattle, where I hope it dies, but I must admit I have not been back to check. As an infrequent beach visitor my weed control efforts tend to be one-offs.

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I have another concern regarding Beach Daisy and Sea Rocket besides the weed question.

I have been thinking about the type of dune that could eventuate with these plants as stabilisers. The dune system is the long smooth type. But wouldn't a future dune based on these plants develop as a humpy lumpy one? I have no problems with propagating and planting lots of Spinifex if it would ensure the natural build-up of sand.

Thank you to everyone who has replied to my question so far. Your answers are giving me food for thought.

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Oh I wish these were the only weeds we have to contend with!!! Our list is long.... Asparagus fern in the hind dune is our worst weed - we are tackling that section by section. Then there is Turkey Rhubarb, Bitou, African Boxthorn, Formosan Lilies, Cape Ivy, English Ivy, etc. But we have a management plan now and that is a huge help.

Casuarina glauca - Swamp oak
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Is anyone aware of Casurina glauca and C. cunninghamiana becoming weedy in coastal areas? I have advised against planting C. glauca at Lakes Entrance in Victoria, as it root suckers.

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Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2006
From: "Virtue, John (DWLBC)" <Virtue.John@saugov.sa.gov.au>

Yes Casuarina glauca can form dense thickets in estaurine and riparian areas. There's a chapter on weed risk of C. glauca in the report:
Virtue, J. G. and Melland, R. L. (2003). The Environmental Weed Risk of Revegetation and Forestry Plants. DWLBC Report 2003/02. The Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation. 182 p. http://www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au/publications/rpts/2003.html

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Casuarina glauca was planted extensively on Geelong Road (and there is still some there). Masses of young plants come up around the parents - almost certainly all are suckers. I haven't noticed it regenerating from seed at any distance from the parent.

If the proposal is to plant C glauca in a contained area (surrounded by buildings or roads, etc) it might be alright. I wouldn't have it abutting remnant veg or future reveg.

It does beg the question, if somebody wants a sheoak look, why not use the local Allocasuarina verticillata? -C. glauca can look a bit messy once it starts suckering. A. verticillate is a neater plant in many ways, though perhaps a little more fragile when it comes to branch attachment after 40 years or so.
-(As a trained landscape architect) I reckon it will perform MUCH better in creating a cherished sense of place (i.e. 'hey this landscape makes me feel that i'm at beautiful lakes entrance in victoria', visually connected to the surrounding beach and coastal bush').
-A. verticillata will also be of more habitat value.
-While C. glauca performs admirably in crap soils and low rainfall, there are plenty of examples of A. verticillata easily cutting it in harsh urban environments too.

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C. glauca does this in it's natural environment i.e. coastal and esturine areas, often behind mangroves, and associated with broad leaf paperbark (Melaleuca quinquinervia) and Swamp mahogany (Eucalyptus robusta) - I would imagine from it's abundant seed and germination rate it could be very weedy, i have seen this happen when planted in backyards and as street trees. It root suckers in lawns readily. My references show it's southern extent as Eden so unless you're really keen to extend that further south maybe don't plant it.

It's imortant to check out the geographic range of these things. I've heard recently of volunteers weeding Acacia sophorae on a coastal headland in Sydney – presumably since it has been reported as a weed in Vic and WA - i've also come across the same with Leptospermum laevigatum, another local Sydney coastal plant which can dominate in it's own environment and has huge weed potential outside of it's range. Plant local native species and you shouldn't have problems.

Caulerpa taxifolia - Aquarium caulerpa
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19. 90 Day Amnesty to Get Rid of Noxious Seaweed
Source: Media Release from the Department of Primary Industries - http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/nrenfaq.nsf/fid/37520DE3C3A0B561CA256F40007C6F6A
11 November 2004

Caulerpa taxifolia, a seaweed quite common in marine aquariums across the state, has been declared a noxious aquatic species and aquarium owners now have 90 days to get dispose of it. From today it is an offence to bring Caulerpa taxifolia into Victoria. It is also an offence to keep, take, possess, sell or transport it, or to release the seaweed into protected waters, with offenders facing a first offence maximum penalty of $10,000.However, marine aquarium owners who have the plant now have a 90-day amnesty in which to dispose of it. The amnesty period will conclude on 8 February 2005.

Caulerpa taxifolia is green, with creeping stems and feather like fronds and has been commonly used as a food source and decoration in marine aquaria. Fisheries Victoria's Luke Cromie, says natural populations are found in Queensland but a strain developed for the aquarium trade has invaded marine waters of New South Wales and South Australia. Caulerpa taxifolia has not yet established in the wild in Victoria. "It can spread on anything that's been in the water including boats, wetsuits, boots, fishing tackle, ropes and chains." "Marine aquarium owners who believe they have Caulerpa taxifolia should dispose of it by putting it, including all the roots, in a plastic bag, placing the plastic bag in a freezer for 24 hours then disposing of the frozen material in a rubbish bin."

"They should not release the species by flushing it down the toilet or sink, or placing it in a drain or waterway." Mr Cromie says the seaweed has the potential to spread over large areas, excluding native species such as seagrass. "In interstate waters where it has invaded it has replaced large areas of seagrass leading to a reduction in fish populations, because fish generally won't eat it," he said. "It has the potential to spread over most Victorian coastal waters if it were released into the wild." For further information please visit the website at http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au or phone the DPI customer service centre on 136 186.

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"The race to beat Caulerpa taxifolia" scheduled to be broadcast on SBS television's Insight program on Thursday 4 July at 8.30 pm.

One of the world's worst marine weeds. This alga is native to northern Australia. A cold water strain possibly originally from Brisbane was developed in Europe and promoted as an aquarium species throughout the world. It has invaded over 5000 ha in the Mediterranean and along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the USA. In Australia it has been found at Lake Conjola (Jervis Bay) (10 ha), two sites at Port Hacking NSW (1ha) and West Lakes, SA.

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The link below gives the media releases for the detection and planned eradication of Caulerpa in Adelaide. The species is predicted to be well-suited to the gulf waters in South Australia, putting the local fishing industry (and ecology!)at risk.

If the link doesn't work then go to www.pir.sa.gov.au and follow the links to media releasea and caulerpa.

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Australian state declares war on mutant seaweed
AUSTRALIA: August 15, 2002
ADELAIDE - An Australian state declared war yesterday on a mutant seaweed it said had the potential to wreak economic and environmental havoc and which has also infested the Mediterranean and California. South Australia state premier Mike Rann said a two-pronged attack was planned on the seaweed Caulerpa Taxifolia, according to the Australian Associated Press.

"The battle has been named Operation Mutant because the fight we are facing is against a mutant, noxious seaweed capable of multiplying at an alarming speed and devastating the marine environment in its wake," AAP quoted Rann as saying.

One front would be opened up in man-made lakes near the state capital Adelaide. High doses of copper sulphate would be poured into the lakes to kill the seaweed after as many fish as possible had been removed.

The other front would be in the Port River in the city's northwest suburbs. Divers would hoover up the seaweed there with special underwater vacuums, Rann said.

"Urgent action is required as soon as possible because it has the potential to ravage South Australia's fishing and aquaculture industries," he added.

The seaweed in its original form is thought to be native to tropical waters off northeast Australia where the Great Barrier Reef lies.

But a mutated,more virulent form dubbed "killer algae", because it spreads so fast that it smothers all native sea grasses, was discovered in around 1984 in the Mediterranean.

It has since spread to California and some areas near Sydney and has shown an adaptability to cool waters.

The algae became popular in the 1970s in the saltwater aquarium trade. Genetic research suggests the infestation in California is linked to a modified clone distributed by a German aquarium that somehow escaped into the Mediterranean.

Possessing Caulerpa Taxifolia is banned in Australia, Spain and France. The United States has declared it a noxious weed.

Cenchrus ciliaris - Buffel grass
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I'm seeking information on the eradication of Buffel Grass - Cenchrus ciliaris in Central Australia.

The grass has just gone to flower and much has gone to seed, thus herbicides might not be an option. We are also on sand in a very fragile semi arid environment. I have sent samples to Uluru-Kata Tjuta NP for confirmation on species identification, which has just been received.

As I'm new to the semi-arid environment, does anyone have any experience in controlling this weed, lifecycle, and response to fire?

I'm keen to look at a wide range of options due to the varying habitats and infestations we have in the resort and surrounding area (we are bordered by Aboriginal Land and National Park). Ongoing management over the past few years has kept the grass in check but it is starting to appear in new locations.

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There is no known way of eradicating Buffel Grass in large areas. Glyphosate is ok for small areas but is impractical on a broad scale.

Buffel grass has become a curse in many Central Qld national parks and QPWS have no solution.

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Buffel Grass - Cenchrus ciliaris has been introduced as a desirable pasture plant across vast areas of low-rainfall northern Australia where the native vegetation was insufficient to meet the demands of the stocking rates required to keep the banks happy. It has spread effectively and become the dominant species over many areas. It does well in low rainfall ares. Undoubtedly it is more productive than some of the native spp it replaces, but surely not all.

In central Qld after many years it was one of the most successful introduced pasture species following brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) clearing over vast areas. However, after many years it has drawn down the soil nitrogen and so leucaena (Leacaena glauca), a leguminous browse shrub, has been planted in some areas to fix nitrogen to supplement the grass nutriition. The question is: what will need to be done next to prop up this altered ecology? Will leucaena get out of hand when the pattern of seasons is propitious for it's spread?

In the vast natural mitchell grass (Astrebla sp) areas of Qld, NT and NSW, buffel was planted in the hope that it would out-perform mitchell. In some areas it did, replacing the mitchell grass. It would be hard to say if it was better than mitchell which stays and stays and returns from absolutely bare, dusty soil after a drought. Don't flog Mitchell grass and it will grow good strong wool and good beef. Any grass shuts down in a long enough drought and I have no information on buffel productivity under prolonged drought. Will these areas eventually need N supplementation? Mitchell never needed supplemental N, it is a valuable natural resource which has been shown persists under conservative management, ie sustainable management.

Love it or loathe it, buffel is here to stay and will probably continue to spread for a few more decades yet until it reaches the limits of its tolerance, replacing native spp as it goes. How will it respond to climate change?

I doubt very much if on any large scale it can ever be managed to reduce its numbers and allow some natives to return (if they ever would). True, graziers would fight biological control to the bitter end, why wouldn't they when their livlihood depends on it in so many places? You may have limited success in small well defined areas such as around Uluru but there will always be a huge seed bank around, there and elsewhere.

I sympathise with your plight and wish you luck. I hope this has assisted in understanding a wee bit about the ecology, gleaned a long time ago.

And now the disclaimer: I did a 3rd year agrostology project on methods of improving buffel grass germination in the late 50s. My father and I, following the practice of the time, spread buffel grass seed among the mitchell grass tussocks in the 50s and 60s in Central W Qld but we found only the odd individual plant for our efforts. We sold up mid 70s. I recently revisited our former home after over 30 years (a mere blip in the time scales in which these arid and semi arid grasslands come and go) and was surprised to see buffel thriving as a the dominant species in big patches around the property, mitchell grass was scarce.

I no longer had the banks on my back so I could more readily appreciate how the ecology of a robust and valuable natural pasture had been upset. I wonder when an equilibrium will be re-established wherever buffel has dominated, and at what cost this will be, not only to the grazing industry trying to patch up sucessive messes, but to the native grasslands of arid & semi-arid N and central Australia?

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Business story
Buffel grass threatens half of country
Date: 13/09/05
By Robin Pash

An invader which may now be reproducing sexually at an alarming rate is threatening to take over half of Australia, scientists have warned.

Researchers have found that buffel grass, which is favoured by Australia's cattle graziers, is an unwelcome visitor in many places as it marches across the outback, taking over from native vegetation and stealing its nutrients.

Among the key concerns of scientists is their recent discovery that buffel grass may now be reproducing sexually.................

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I'm looking at developing some regional predictive models for Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris / Pennisetum ciliare) based on the plants biology/ecology and it's temperature, moisture, soil (texture, chemistry, moisture, etc), terrain preferences. I have a good idea about optimum requirements from the published literature on Buffel as a pasture grass, and some idea of what potential limits exist, although these are based mainly on anecdotal and "gut feel" rather than science per se. One of the major elements I am lacking is the native range distribution of Buffel grass. Given the role of Buffel as a pasture grass, the subtle differences in sub-species, and the human influences this may be a somewhat onerous task.

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Skerman, P.J. and Riveros, F. (1990). Tropical Grasses. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Rome, Italy pages 266-274

Much the same data can be found on the FAO web site www.fao.org/ag/AGA/AGAP/FRG/AFRIS/Data/49.htm its not responding at the moment so it may be down.

There are many hundreds of other related references for this species on the web.

For distribution data don't get hung up on what constitutes the native and introduced range, I take it your considering a climate match. Any overseas distribution data is valuable.

There are over 174 mappable records for this grass at Tropicos plus more data on its synonms etc http://mobot.mobot.org/W3T/Search/vast.html

Cenchrus echinatus - Mossman River Grass
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Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2003
From: Andrew Greenwood <greenie19au2001yahoo.com.au>

I'm writing to find out what information is available on Mossman River Grass- Cenchrus echinatus - I know Buffel grass and Mossman River are very similar and am wondering what research has been done on them.

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Date: Sun, 12 Oct 2003
From: Forest Starr <fstarrhawaii.edu>

In Hawaii, Cenchrus echinatus (sand bur) can be a pest in coastal areas, especially on the sand atolls of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands where control campaigns have been waged against it. Cenchrus ciliaris (buffel grass) is a pest in coastal areas and can also invade far inland, where it often dominates landscapes. Links to images below.

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Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2003
From: wendy <woobindapipeline.com.au>

Doing an Advanced Google for weeds australia (with ALL the words - box) Cenchrus echinatus (exact phrase - box) Gives lots of useful hits.

Centaurea maculosa - Spotted knapweed
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Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004
From: Don Matthews <heathdonhotkey.net.au>

Ryde Council in Sydney is proposing to use Chinese Tallowood, Sapium sebiferum, aka Triadica sebiferum, as a street planting tree.

-the council is proposing to remove mature natives such as callistemons and banksias and replace them with Chinese Tallowood;
-residents believe the tree has high weed potential and will threaten sensitive remnant bushland areas, waterways and wetlands.

Does anyone know about the weed potential of Chinese Tallowood in the Sydney area? Ryde Council notified residents last Friday, has the trees ready to go in, and residents need to act quickly.

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Chinese Tallowood has shown itself to be weedy in a few areas in Hornsby shire Council which adjoins Ryde Council. This has mainly been along creek lines and close to existing plantings. I have also noticed this plant as a weed in several locations on the central coast.

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Chinese Tallow is a serious weed is the Tesas Gulf Coast area. Originally planted in new home lots and now spread all over.

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Avoid it!. It is a growing problem (ah! pun!) in clay areas of Sydney and you have your fair share of clay in Ryde.

I have a bushland weed list for Sydney if you (or anyone else) would like it. It would be good to use it in your lobbying of council. Just email me if you'd like it.

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Great idea! Chinese tallow tree
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/lands/invaspec/2ndlevpgs/pdfs/ChineseTallow.pdf is a real favourite over here. Plant a few now and you'll have thousands and thousands of them to enjoy (not too much) later. Birds particularly like the fruit, too, which gives you the added advantage of free plantings in the bush for miles around.

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I'm not familiar with the weedy potential of Chinese Tallowood specifically in the Sydney area but I am quite familiar with the recognized impact of this invasive species in the United States, and a Regional Weed Management Plan from the Australian North Coast Weeds Advisory Council on Chinese Tallow, describes a management plan to "eradicate all current infestations and prevent further spread of chinese tallow" in the "area of North Coast Weeds Advisory Committee - Coastal LCAs from Nambucca to Queensland border." - from: <http://www.northcoastweeds.org.au/site-files/docs/chinesetallow_rcp.pdf>.

One U.S. report (among many) - an Invasive Species Alert released in May, 2000 by The Nature Conservancy, briefly describes the new arrival, nature and impact of this species in California. Excerpt: "Another riparian problem! Chinese Tallowtree has proven its weedy, reproductive powers in the southeastern USA. It is starting to gain a foothold in California, and could be as bad as Tamarisk or Melaleuca..." - from:
<http://www.conserveonline.org/2001/05/s/Chinese_Tallowtree;internal&action=buildframes.action>.

Given the widely recognized invasiveness of this species in the U.S.; and the fact that the Australian NCWAC has a weed management plan for eradicating the species; and having witnessed firsthand, the effects of similar woody, invasive species on clay soils in North Queensland (Chinee Apple and Mesquite), I would strongly advise against intentionally planting Chinese Tallowood anywhere in Australia.

InvasiveSpecies.Gov - Species Profile for Sapiem sebiferum <http://www.invasivespecies.gov/profiles/chtallow.shtml>

Mapping and Modeling the Current and Potential Distributions of Invasive Plants from China - <http://brahms.zoology.wisc.edu/Recentabstracts/Nat_areas_Albright_et_alV2.htm> Excerpt: "As a first step in generating predictive models of potential S. sebiferum distribution, we are developing a current distribution map of the species in the U.S...."

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Chinese Tallowood is planted as a street tree in North Sydney and is spreading into my garden on shale derived soils. Also, I have seen it in the bush enough to definitely consider it an "up & coming" weed problem especially as seed is spread by birds. I definitely believe that Ryde Council should consider another species of street tree since most of their soils are shale derived also.

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Just a few more negative thoughts on, as we call it, Chinese Tallow Triadica sebifera.

As Liz rightly pointed out, the NSW North Coast Weeds Advisory Committee is trying to eradicate the species and has sought noxious weed declaration of it as W2, i.e "must be fully and continuously suppressed and destroyed".

By far the worst infestation in the region is at Casino wetland, west of Lismore, where dense thickets cover several hectares. The infestation has expanded extremely rapidly in a short period; almost doubling in size and quadrupling in numbers each year.

A few scary facts: over 130,000 seeds produced per tree per year. Germination success can be as high as 62%. They may reach reproductive age in as little as three years and remain productive for 100 years. Ingestion of plant material causes gastrointestinal upset with nausea and vomiting. Contact with the plant can cause dermatitis. The milky sap in both the leaves and the berries are poisonous to cattle. For references see our Regional Weed Management Plan on the link provided by Liz.

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I have not been following this one closely but will throw in my but now. I saw Chinese tallow in Louisiana USA a few years back. There it was referred to as Sapium sebiferum (I assume it is the same species). It is a significant weed of "bottomlands" (wetter parts of the landscape. In my notes I wrote the following:

"Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) is a small tree of the Euphorbiaceae that is invasive in coastal prairies and bottomland forests from Texas to Florida. It is native to China and Taiwan and was introduced to the USA as an ornamental plant. The plant grows up to about 10m tall, sprouts vigorously from dormant basal meristems and its seeds are dispersed by water and birds. Effective herbicides are available but there are tight restrictions on the use of herbicides in wetlands. Only glyphosate without surfactants can be used in such situations. For the many infestations in bottomland forests, approaches that meet these regulatory requirements are being sought.

"Dr Steve Whisenant is conducting research to this end at Blue Elbow Swamp, a 3,500 acre state park in east Texas. The area is mainly bottomland forest dominated by bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) and tupalo (Nyssa sylvatica). It was purchased as a conservation reserve by the Texas Department of Transportation to conform to the Federal policy regarding the maintenance and restoration of wetlands.

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Thanks to all enviroweeders (21 of you) who responded so generously to the query about the weediness of Chinese Tallowood (Triadica/Sapium sebiferum).

As a result of all the information you supplied, residents of Linton Ave West Ryde (Sydney) have persuaded Ryde Council to carry out a complete review of its street tree planting policy!

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Sapium sebiferum (syn. Triadica sebifera)
Euphorbiaceae
Tallow Tee, Chinese Tallow, Popcorn Tree

It is from China and Japan. It is a shrub/tree and has become a weed in USA (incl California, Florida, Sth and Nth Carolina). It is poisonous. [Great info in Rod Randall's new book "A global compendium of weeds"].

In Australia, it is a weed in SE Qld and apparently listed as invasive in NSW. Bob Trounce and Judy Rawling have been very helpful so far but I need specific info on where it is invasive in NSW for an urgent query from a national gardening magazine. An info ASAP would be greatly appreciated.

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Thank you to all the weedos that sent me information recently on Chinese Tallow Tree. The reason why this query originally arose is that Burke's Backyard magazine needed some info to reply to a letter. The letter and subsequent reply from BBY has just been published in the Nov 2002 edition of Burke's Backyard magazine.
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Letter to BBY:

"I attended a seminar recently at the School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of NSW, where Jenni Tonks talked about the invasive potential of Chinese tallow tree (Sapium sebiferum - pictured here). It's recommended as one of your best autumn trees. This tree's wide climatic tolerance means it has a high weed risk potential in Australia. It's also a major weed throughout south-eastern USA. Birds find the fruit very attractive and ingest them, then transport the seeds to new locations via their droppings. Jenni presented case studies of where Chinese tallow has become a weed. Don, you have a great understanding for the weedy potential of our ornamental plants. The awareness of this plant as a potential weed risk should be brought to the attention of viewers, bush regeerators and the horticultural industry generally." Carolyn Porter, Emu Plains NSW.
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The information sent to BBY by Kate Blood was:

...additional information since the fax this afternoon. There may be more coming.
Sapium sebiferum (syn. Triadica sebifera)
Euphorbiaceae
Tallow Tee, Chinese Tallow, Popcorn Tree
It is from China and Japan. It is a shrub/tree and has become a weed in USA (including California (declared noxious), Florida, Sth and Nth Carolina). It is poisonous. In Australia, it is a weed in SE Qld and in northern NSW (at Casino, it has invaded over 5 ha around a wetland area). A regional plan is currently being written for this weed in northern NSW. It is being nominated for declaration as a noxious weed in NE NSW. It is widely planted as a street tree in Sydney and elsewhere.

Information provided by Kate Blood (Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria), Rod Ensbey and Bob Trounce (NSW Agriculture) and Judy Rawling (Urban Bushland Management Consultants P/L). Cheers, Kate Blood
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This information from Ian Turnbull was also forwarded to BBY:

Further to our discussion this afternoon I have the following information on Sapium sebiferum (Chinese tallow) at a local and regional level. Locally the Bellingen Urban Landcare group have been pulling up a small number in and around Bellingen. There are two mature trees that are not far (10m) from a creek that the group are revegetating (following privet and camphor laurel control). On a regional level I can confirm the instance of an infestation at the Casino Golf course. Additional to this the North Coast Weeds Advisory Committee completed an Environmental Weed Risk Assessment process for the North Coast recentlyand Sapium sebiferum came up in the top 30 (see attached). The Committee are seeking a W2 declaration (under the Noxious Weeds Act 1993) for member control authorities (requiring the species to be fully and continuously suppressed and destroyed).

In the meantime (the declaration process can be slow) another of the North Coast Weeds Advisory Committee's initiatives (the Bushland Friendly Nursery Scheme) is discouraging its use and sale. This scheme is based on the Logan City Council scheme which sees participating nurseries deemed "bushland friendly" if they do not sell an agreed list of environmental weeds (the same as the one attached). Additional to this Local Council's will not be planting it as street or park trees and landscape plans with Sapium sebiferum will not be approved.

The North Coast Weeds Advisory Committee has stakeholder membership from Taree to the Queensland Border representing Local Control Authorities (Councils), NSW Agriculture, National Parks & Wildlife Service, State Forests, Department of Land & Water Conservation, Landcare, Environment Protection Authority, Catchment Management Boards (3) and various community representatives.

I hope this answers your query and serves as sufficient evidence to suggest that this particular species is not welcome on the North Coast of NSW. I am happy for you to forward this E-mail as you see appropriate.
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This is the reply to the letter above that appeared in the same issue of BBY
(page 80) from Don Burke:

"Thanks for your info on the Chinese tallow tree, Carolyn. I have heard it is a weed in south-east Qld and northern NSW especially around Casino and Bellingen. But I am not aware of it being a problem in other areas. I can see no reason to stop planting this beautiful tree in areas where it is not a problem. Nonetheless, we all need to keep an eye on it. If any readers know of other areas where Chinese Tallow grows as a weed, please let us know." Don Burke
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Much of the info Enviroweed subscribers sent me arrived after the deadline for BBY.
It will be useful in Victoria and for other weedos. Thank you. It is summarised below:
KB
_________________________
As far as I know it is not a weed of the Canberra area and I have not recorded elsewhere - Michael Mulvaney, NSW/ACT
____________________________
The preferred name for this weed in Australia is Triadica sebifera. This species forms thickets around a wetland at Casino. It was apparently planted at a golf course (the main one for Casino) next to the wetland and has spread in this area. It also occurs along a nearby road in ditches and below fences. The species is bird- dispersed and water dispersed. Here is a copy of information that I have put together on this species (for other purposes). If you need any of the references let me know and I pass on their details.

'*Triadica sebifera [Sapium sebiferum] CHINESE TALLOW TREE. Native of China. Deciduous tree to 10 (rarely to 15) m high. Distinguished by being deciduous; leaves heart-shaped, blade to 8 (rarely to 9) cm long and to 7.5 cm wide with a pair of glands at the blade leaf-stalk junction, margins entire; spikes of male and female fls on separate plants; fruit initially green then black, 3-lobed, and containing 3 white seeds covered in a chalky white coating of tallow. Bark grey and longitudinally furrowed. Stipules absent. Leaves dark green above, paler below, in autumn changing to yellow, red and/or brown and then falling; on a leaf stalk that is often longer than the blade. Male fl spikes golden green and to 15 cm long, each fl with 2 or 3 stamens and 3 petals. Female fl spikes yellow-green and to 10 cm long, each fl with 3 styles that are united for about half their length. Fls late spring-early summer. Fruit to 1.2 cm long and to 1.4 cm wide. Seeds waxy, pea-shaped, 7 8 mm long. Notes: Spread by seeds that are water and bird- dispersed, fruits float and accumulate on margins of areas from which floodwater recedes. Plants also resprout after cutting or burning. Chinese
Tallow Tree will flower in the third year of life (Bruce et al. 1997). Weed of wet areas in SE Qld and NE NSW. Also considered to be a weed of wet areas in the USA from
south Texas east to Florida and north to North Carolina (Randall and Marinelli 1996, Bruce et al. 1997) and is also naturalised in Japan, Taiwan, India, Pakistan, central and southern Europe, Martinique and the Sudan (Iwatsuki, Boufford and Ohba 1999; Bruce et al. 1997). Over time T. sebifera plants in the USA appear to have become
more invasive as genotypes have adapted to high growth and low defence, for example leaves from invasive trees are more poorly defended from herbivores by tissues containing defensive compounds such as tannins than are trees from native sources (Siemann & Rogers 2001). Chinese Tallow Tree has been cultivated in China for 14 centuries for soap (seed coat), fuel (wood), candles (seed coat), drying oil (seed kernel), black dye (leaves), honey (nectar) and protein meal seed kernel) (Bruce et al. 1997). Distrib: Qld (MO WB), NSW (NC).' [contact John Hosking for refs]

If you would like additional information on the species a student of Associate Professor Paul Adam completed an Honours degree on this species last year. Paul's email address is p.adam@unsw.edu.au

John R. Hosking, NSW
______________________
I have seen a few wildlings in the lower Blue Mountains but it is not really invasive to any great extent.
Hugh Paterson, NSW
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observed as occasionally naturalised in reserves in the Sutherland Shire LGA, south of Sydney. Andrew Coughlan, NSW
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saw a large stand of Chinese Tallow at a wetland on the outskirts of Casino, Nth NSW. You could check with Bob Jarman, local Landcare co-ordinator at Kyogle (landcare@nor.com.au) about specifics. Hope this is of some use. Hank
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A quick response to your query is that it is naturalised around Casino and there is an Hons thesis on it by a student (name?) of Paul Adams at UNSW. I have read the thesis gut don't have the details here. John Hosking knows about it at Casino too. Widely planted in Sydney streets and going feral in some parts of Sydney suburbia too as I recall. Widespread naturally throughout China. Dick Mack at Washington State has a PhD student working on it in the southeastern US. Ironically it also is in Japan (introduced or native I have yet to find out) but yesterday when I was out in a beech forest about an hour's drive north of here I was shown Sapium japonicum. Co-incidence? Richard Groves while in Japan

____________________
Seems to be a sleeper - here are the harbairum records. Really hasn't done much over a long time at this point. Maybe the wrong vector?

The flora of SEQ volume 1 has another synonym: Croton sebiferus. It is supposed to be naturalised along creeks in the Brisbane area thus the query to BCC. Steve has it on a target list but no action has been taken to date. The bird berry component is rather scary as is history in US. Craig Walton, Qld
_____________________
We've got two naturalised and one doubtfully naturalised records for Moreton and one doubtfully naturalised record from Maryborough. Details for which are in the attached spreadsheet which also details one cultivated record from Wide Bay with interesting notes on dense suckers and possible seedlings. We have several cultivated records from Brisbane and Maryborough which go back to 1928. Looks like yet another slow mover with potential. It fell out of our list because none of the experts we asked knew it. Don Butler, Qld
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I have it on good authority that there is a bad infestation in or around a wetland at the Golf Course at Casino (Nth Eastern NSW). I have not seen it but Tim Scanlon (North Coast Weeds Advisory Committtee Project Officer) has some photos. Unfortunately Tim is not working at the moment so I can't chase them up.

Also the Bellingen Urban Landcare group have been pulling up a small number in Bellingen itself. There are two mature trees there not far from a creek that the group are revegetating.

The North Coast Weeds Advisory Committee completed a Weed Risk assessment process for the North Coast recently and Sapium sebiferum came up in the top (see attached). The Committee are seeking W2 declaration for member control authorities (requiring the species to be fully and continuously suppressed and destroyed. Ian Turnbull, NSW
______________________
I am indeed very interested in your Sapium dilemma and questions regarding its ecology. I am currently working on my doctoral degree at the Institute of Ecology at the University of Georgia - I am studying gene flow and dispersal of Sapium in island-mainland systems on coastal Georgia - also doing some demography work and GIS modeling. Cheryl Mairead McCormick Institute of Ecology, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-2022
_______________________
By far the worst infestation within the region is at Jabiru-Geneebeinga wetland, Casino, where approx. 15 hectares are infested - a virtual monoculture which looks quite eery in winter when they are without leaves. The infestation had been spreading rapidly each year but surrounding areas are now slashed to restrict growth of seedlings. They are now also numerous isolated infestations of several plants in the Casino-Lismore area - mainly along fencelines. I also heard of an unconfirmed report of isolated plants just west of Ballina. Street plantings of chinese tallow are located in Casino and Bellingen. Individual plantings are known from Nambucca Shire (5km north west of Bowraville at a school).

The infestation at Casino appears to have spread from nearby street plantings in Johnson Street, Casino. Other ornamental chinese tallow trees could be expected to pose a similar threat in those areas.

I am nearly finished the Regional Weed Management Plan to declare it a W2 noxious weed (i.e must continuously suppress and destroy). I coordinated mapping of the weed at 1:25,000 scale in the region earlier this year and it is currently being digitised by NPWS (in between fires!). Tim
Scanlon, NSW
___________________
With regard to the Triadica sebifera (L.) Small: Have you phoned the NSW Herbarium to inquire what records they hold? Paul Forster at BRI has an excellent knowledge on Euphorbiaceae, you can try him perhaps? Triadica sebifera doesn't appear in the Fl.NSW (first ed) treatment of Euphorbiaceae, which is probably out of date if its a new recent record, which may be the case as the species is given in the NSW herbarium online database for the North Coast botanical division, under the correct name which is Triadica sebifera.

Kruijt 1996 in the taxonomic monograph of the genus Sapium excludes this taxon from Sapium, placing in Triadica (page 89 in the monograph). Esser 1999 in the Partial revision of the Hippomaneae treats the taxon as Triadica sedifera.

Sapium has generally been regarded as a pantropical genus but Kruijt considers it to be restricted to the neotropics. Kruijt also asserted that Triadica is monotypic. Esser 1999 however asserts that Triadica is a genus of probably 3 or 4 species, all in Asia. Radcliffe-Smith 2001 in Genera Euphorbiacearum treats Triadica as a genus of 3 o4 species from Asia and sapium as being a neotropical genus.

Kruijt, R. C. 1996. A taxonomic monograph of Sapium Jacq., Anomostachys (Baill.) Hurus., Duvigneaudia J. Leonard, and Sclerocroton Hochst. (Euphorbiaceae tribe Hippomaneae). In: Biblioth. Bot. 146:89.

Esser, H.-J. 1999. A partial revision of the Hippomaneae (Euphorbiaceae) in Malesia. In: Blumea 44:197-206

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This species is escaping form city street plantings and is invading along the American River Parkway here in Sacramento, California. Some bird species also love the seeds so there is the potential to spread long distances.

Chromolaena odorata - Siam weed
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Fly could save Australia from weed
A SMALL fly could help save Australia from a potentially devastating weed...

Cinnamomum camphora - Camphor Laurel
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Date: Sat, 24 Mar 2007
From: eileen tait <eitait@hotmail.com>

Looking for the most effective method to kill mature Camphor Laurels. So far we are leaning towards glyphosate 360 by stem injection as part of the area we are treating is on a creekbank in the Clarence catchment area. Our research has us looking at several possibilities, using axe or drill and applying neat glyphosate or 1:1 glyphosate to the cuts. Another possibility is the backpack, hydraulic injection system.

1 reference suggests "cut and frill" at waist height, another recommends close to ground level. Can anyone with personal experience advise the best approach to take? We have a lot of Camphors, all sizes, and regrowth clumps, and want to get it right first time.

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Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2007
From: <Matthew.Springall@environment.nsw.gov.au>

I've found stem injection using a cordless drill and cut and paint strength glyphosate most effective on camphors, and pretty much any woody weed really. Generally the closer to the ground the better, though this isn't always practical, certainly no higher than waist height. More importantly the holes need to be about 1.5 -2cm deep and no more than about 5cm apart, as close to on the same level as possible. If the tree is multi stemmed you need to do each stem or do the trunk below where it branches. Using an axe, machete or chisel can also work but have more limitations since it's not always possible to get a good swing amongst thick vegetation, or get enough hits on multi-stemmed camphors. I find drills faster with a higher rate of success, axes etc are slower with a lower kill rate though they don't run out of battery power. Using a drill will usually be more efficient with the amount of herbicide you use as not as much runs out of the cut and more gets into the tree. It will depend on your site and resources as to which method you want to go with.

The backpacks are good when they work, not so good when the hose pops out and you wear the herbicide down your back, as can happen when pushing your way through thick undergrowth on creeklines. Nowadays I just use the 100mL applicators and take a couple with me in a pouch, with a 1L bottle to top them up. I usually find I'll go thru 1 bottle in the time it takes to run a drill battery flat using the type of drills we use.

While I know you want to get it right first time, I can tell you from experience that even the most careful operators need to come back 6 - 12 months later and get what has been missed or is reshooting from the first treatment. Don't kid yourself you can do a one hit wonder and not have to come back - I don't care what sort of equipment you use. Sorry to be a bit negative on this but that's just the reality of it. When you do return for the follow up have a look at the ones that have come back, have a look at where they're drilled/frilled and where the live tissue remains and you'll get a good feel for what techniques work better than others.

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Wed, 23 Aug 2006
Paul Flower <paul.flower@bigpond.com>

Does any one know of any work trialling chemicals to reduce/inhibit flowering in long day plants. We are about to start some work involving stem injection of growth inhibitors in camphor laurel.

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Wed, 23 Aug 2006
"Gasparre, Frank" <Frank.Gasparre@det.nsw.edu.au>

Glyphosate is a great growth inhibitor for Camphor Laurels.

Clematis sp.
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Date: Mon, 14 May 2007
From: Margaret Baber <MJB@baber.net.au>

I have what I always thought was Clematis aristata, Austral Clematis, on my land in Melbourne's Outer East. Over the years is has climbed over logs and low growing plants like Lomandra, but this year it has been climbing all over & completely covering the regenerating eucalypts, wattles, cassinias etc, just like the awful photos one sees of ivy, honeysuckle etc. Recently I heard that there was a weedy clematis. Does anyone know if that is correct, & if so how can you tell the difference between the weed species and Clematis aristata?

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Date: Mon, 14 May 2007
From: “Lloyd, Sandy" <slloyd@agric.wa.gov.au>

could it be Clematis vitalba (old man's beard)?

plenty of NZ sites with info

http://www.ccc.govt.nz/parks/TheEnvironment/WeedGuide/ClematisVitalba.asp

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Date: Mon, 14 May 2007
From: "Randall, Rod" <RPRandall@agric.wa.gov.au>

There are 26 weedy Clematis species in Australia, the weediest would be Clematis vitalba, as Sandy said, although there are plenty of others to choose from.

I would suggest you get your suspect Clematis identified by an expert rather than try it yourself.

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Date: Wed, 16 May 2007
From: Matthew.Springall@environment.nsw.gov.au

Without seeing it I'd reckon it could be Clematis aristata. Both it and the other main local species here in Sydney, glycinoides, can do this, especially on planting, reveg and regeneration sites where the canopy and midstorey strata are sparse. I've had to cut it back many times on many sites to protect young shrubs and trees, to the point where I refuse to plant it or other native vines any more on reveg sites. It seems that on sites where the balance has been knocked out of whack any vine will do this, even local native species. There's a whole set of easily propagated native vines (Cissus spp., Clematis spp. Caraytia spp. Hardenbergia spp., Kennedia spp. amongst others) which when planted almost guarantee someone's going to have to be back in 2 or 3 years to save the rest of the plants that went in the ground at the same time. They don't seem to be as much of a problem when the vegetation layers are more balanced, or at least not so disturbed.

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Date: Fri, 06 May 2005
From: Sarah Gibbs <Sarah.Gibbs@arc.govt.nz>

Does anyone have any information on the following 10 species of Clematis becoming invasive in temperate climates similar to New Zealand? (This includes Western Europe and the Mediterranean, South Africa, Washington State, Florida State, Oregon State, California State, coastal China, central coastal Brazil, Japan and the Australian States of Victoria / Tasmania / New South Wales).

Clematis columbiana
C. flammula
C. hirsutissima
C. ligusticifolia
C. montana
C. tangutica
C. terniflora
C. tibetana
C. viorna
C. virginiana

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Date: Mon, 30 May 2005
From: Clive Heywood Barker <ozbundu@hotmail.com>

Regarding Clematis enquiry a while back. Clematis montana has recently been collected in the upper Blue Mountains west of Sydney. There are several small naturalised populations known at this stage from bushland edges (mostly amongst native species with relatively low input of nutrients from runoff) around the suburbs of Blackheath, Katoomba and Leura. At least 2 of these locations are within the Blue Mountains National Park.

This species is a popular ornamental up here, wind dispersed fruit and occasional very windy weather I guess it will continue to travel away from the suburbs.

Conyza bonariensis - Flaxleaf fleabane
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Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2006
From: Charles Pinnuck <Charles.Pinnuck@serco-ap.com.au>

I've come across flaxleaf fleabane (Conyza bonariensis) for the first time this year. The only literature I've been able to find concerns control in agricultural situations (usually in fallow). Does anyone have experience with its control amongst Austrostipa/Austrodanthonia or native grasses in general?

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Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2006
From: Neil Tucker <neilt@pipeline.com.au>

I have been considering putting in a comment on this technique for a while now. For the last 3 years I have been cutting & painting Scotch thistles & have observed the same effect, ie much reduced off-target damage & reduced reinfestation. I use a machete to cut them off low, and a 2 lt pressure bottle of cut & paint strength Roundup, rather than neat. The last lot I even did at normal spray strength & expect good results. The technique also has the following benefits:

1.Much reduced chemical usage.
2.Immediate death of the thistle - no further seed development.
3.Faster, at least in situations where you would have to be careful with spray.
4.No lugging hoses or knapsacks into difficult situations.

-----

Often find myself weeding one of the several fleabane species amongst road edges, track edges and after fire where i have heaps of natives regenerating or established native grasses. It really responds to the disturbance and spraying them (glyphosate 1:100) kills them but will often open up more area for a new generation of fleabane and other weeds, and knocks around the good stuff you want to protect.

These days (and more so at this time of year) i just cut the top off the fleabane , just below the flower head (around hip/waist height), and paint the stem with a drop of neat glyphosate. No bending so better on the back, it's reasonably quick, and doesn't disturb the area too much so you don't get so much of the next generation coming up. The native grasses thrive in the reduced competition and I find if you do that through an area for a couple of years you can turn a weedy disturbed area to good native veg cover.

I've found this works on any species of fleabane I've come across yet and also other things to a point such as scotch thistles (Cirsium vulgare), Aster spp., and sometimes purple top (Verbena spp.).

Matt Springall

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Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2006
From: Info at IEWF <info@iewf.org>

With Fleabanes in particular I have found that either spraying carefully just into the growth tips or applying neat round up just to the growth tips is effective in killing these plants. The cut and paint (even high on the plant) as Neil suggests works great as well.

Conium maculatum - Hemlock
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Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2005
From: Jennifer Mary Emeny <jmeme@deakin.edu.au>

I've been asked by a local landholder the best way to treat an infestation of hemlock on his riverbank. The hemlock infestation is approx. half an acre in size, is in an area containing native poa tussocks, and within a meter or so of the river.

Any suggestions would be most welcome.

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Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2005
From: Rod Randall <RPRandall@agric.wa.gov.au>

I'm assuming the hemlock in question is Conium maculatum a member of the Family Apiaceae and the well known poison of the Greek classics?

Generally likes moist rich soils and can be uprooted pretty easily so I'd suggest removing the entire plant, which has the added benefit that your removing any seed produced which is pretty important eh/ ie pull em up and deep bury them.

Wear protective gloves and safety glasses, it is as toxic as its reputation!

Coprosma repens - Mirror Bush
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Date: Mon, 08 Nov 2004 08:43:48 +1100
From: Ian Bate <Ianba@egipps.vic.gov.au>

East Gippsland Shire Council are presently conducting a project to control Coprosma repens (Mirror Bush) and also a Aloe sp. in a reserve near Lakes Entrance, Victoria. If anyone has any experience or useful information regarding control of these species (particularly the Mirror Bush) I would appreciate the assistance.

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Date: Tue, 09 Nov 2004
From: Mike Cleeland <mikeosaurus@yahoo.com.au>

Personally I find that frilling is a pretty quick and effective method of Coprosma control. This consists of using a tomahawk or similar to make a series of frilled cuts around the base of the tree then squirting herbicide into the wound. Precise instructions can be found in the Coastal Weed Treatment Handbook from Greening Australia Victoria. It's more convenient than lugging a chainsaw around, and quicker than drill & fill. Good luck!

Cortaderia selloana - Pampas Grass
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Date: Tue, 1 Apr 2003
From: <edarktpg.com.au>

I'm faced with eradicating up to 300 plants scattered over a number of sites, so I'm interested in hearing of people's experience with the options I know of:
- spraying into the centre of Pampas with 1:100 glyphosate - which is quick but not always successful & not desirable in a moist area,
- cutting/slashing to ground level & painting individual leaves - slow but effective
- cutting/slashing to ground level, allowing to reshoot then spraying - quick but requires a return visit so may not be best when acess is difficult.

Probably a combination of all 3 will be the way to go; still, I'd like to hear any other informed opinions about this, since it's such an invasive plant.

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Date: Tue, 1 Apr 2003
From: <ian_higginsnccma.vic.gov.au>

Burning, followed by (sprayed) glyphosate application to new growth worked for me. Use a concentration at least sufficient to kill Couch Grass, ie, (from memory) > 9 l/ha.

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Date: Tue, 1 Apr 2003
From: Micah Visoiu <Micah.Visoiudpiwe.tas.gov.au>

This is probably not a very useful solution in your situation, however I found it interesting at the time. One of the main purposes pampas was planted in Tasmania and on the Bass Striate island was for wind protection for stock. Usually in fenced belts about 5 metres wide. The general technique for removing it from these situations was simply to remove the fence and let the stock eat it. Sheep will eat it back to bare ground in the space of a year or so, and cattle somewhat faster. This is probably a good solution in grazing land, but I wouldn't recommend it in native bush areas.

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Date: Tue, 1 Apr 2003
From: Ruark Cleary <Ruark.Clearydep.state.fl.us>

It's nice to know there's one weed out there that we don't have (although it is a problem in s. California). A good control summary is at: http://www.hotkey.net.au/~d.elliott/pampas.htm

A paper from down your way, "PAMPAS GRASS CONTROL WITH HALOXYFOP IN CONSERVATION SITES ON DIFFICULT TERRAIN," is at: http://www.hortnet.co.nz/publications/nzpps/proceedings/01/01_56.pdf

What sounded like a promising link, "Eradication of bamboo, ivy, pampas grass and vinca," was a bust, at least for me. Maybe you can get this link to work, or get ACT to fix it:
www.environment.act.gov.au/ie4/yourenvironmenthwp/eradicationof.html

Because your plants are scattered and in some wet areas, your best bet would appear to be a foliar application of 2-3% aquatic glyphosate (ex. Rodeo, Aquaneat) with a non-ionic surfactant (ex. Kinetic). You might have to refill your backpack sprayer a few times for 300 plants.

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Date: Wed, 2 Apr 2003
From: <tmccluggagedoc.govt.nz>

I have been involved with trialing different methods of controlling pampas from helicopters in wetlands. For three hundred plants the best way would be using a handgun sprayer with a long lance operated from a jet ranger or squirrel helicopter. The lance needs to be long enough to reach below the helicopter skids when the operator is sitting in the back and be set to deliver large droplets. The best herbicide to use is a grass specific one such as haloxyfop which from my experience does not damage other vegetation. With this method each plant is picked off one by one with the surrounding vegetation not touched. It is important that the jet is directed down within the rotor column and that will prevent any spray drift. If it is angled into the side of the column there will be drift all over the place. This number of plants should not take more than four hours flying time, probably less depending on the size of each plant. The advantage of this method that is cheap compared to other methods, there is no ground disturbance allowing more weeds to establish and when the plant dies it also protects the ground from new weeds and allows the desirable plants to spread their foliage and eventually cover the opened up area.

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Date: Wed, 2 Apr 2003
From: Ruark Cleary <Ruark.Clearydep.state.fl.us>

You can get to "Eradication of bamboo, ivy, pampas grass and vinca" at www.environment.act.gov.au/general/yourenvironmenthwp/eradicationof.html instead of www.environment.act.gov.au/ie4/yourenvironmenthwp/eradicationof.html

Corymbia torelliana - Cadaghi, Cadaga
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Date: Thu, 07 Jun 2007
From: Reece Luxton <reece.luxton@clarence.nsw.gov.au>

I would like to receive some advice on the issue of Cadaghi Corymbia torelliana on the NSW North Coast.

A representative from NSW Farmers had this enquiry: - “Are they liable to become an infestation problem? One producer west of Casino thought so, one East said no; another farmer was under the impression that when bees pollinate from them and return to the hive, it causes degeneration of that hive.”

It is listed as an environmental weed under our Bushland Friendly Nursery Scheme.

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Date: Thu, 07 Jun 2007
From: "Randall, Rod" <RPRandall@agric.wa.gov.au>

Noosa Council think its a weed
The weeds in (this) Table 12 are considered to pose the most serious threats to the natural vegetation remnants. They should be eradicated or contained where feasible. Pro-active management is seen as the only solution to many of the weeds in Table 12. Also see the most recent Pest Management plan (October 2001) http://www.noosa.qld.gov.au/docs/WeedList.pdf

Corymbia torelliana (F.Muell.) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson syn: Eucalyptus torelliana F.Muell.

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Date: Thu, 07 Jun 2007
From: Tim Low <Tim.Low@uq.net.au>

Cadaghi is a very bad weed in Brisbane. There is a stand of it coming up beside a park on Mt Coot-tha, where the thick canopy has the potential to shade out the understory. I actually did a segment on Gardening Australia about Australian plants as weeds where we filmed this patch. It is thought to be only eucalypt, and possibly the only tree in the world, that is spread about by native bees. They take the resin-coated seeds back to the hive and remove the resin, which they incorporate into their hives. It is popular folk-lore that the seeds ruin hives but they don't. I have 3 healthy native bee hives in my garden, with entrances plastered with old cadaghi seeds dating back many years. The bees drop some seeds so you get lines of cadahji seedlings in the forest heading in the direction of hives. I really worry about the potential of cadaghi because I see lots of seedlings and saplings coming up in bushland far away from known trees, and because this tree was only brought into cultivation in the 1980s, so it probably has a long way to go to reach its invasive potential. Because of its big wide leaves and dispersal by bees it is not just another eucalypt, but an unusual invasive tree. I have seen it growing wild in Uki in northern NSW but don't know if it will behave as badly in NSW as it is in Brisbane, where the plantings are probably older. It should certainly not be planted, and should be removed where possible. It looks like one of the species that is indicative of climate change, being native to north Queensland, but its native range is on the flanks of the Atherton Tableland so the climatic envelope there may not be that different from the subtropics.

Crassula helmsii - Swamp Stonecrop
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Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2004
From: Sandy Lloyd <slloydagric.wa.gov.au>

Beware the loch crass-monster...

http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=193392004
Australian invader threatens Scottish lochs

JAMES REYNOLDS ENVIRONMENT CORRESPONDENT
AN INVASIVE aquatic plant responsible for localised extinctions of native plants in England and Wales is now spreading in Scotland, threatening to alter the fragile ecology of the country's lochs and burns.

Australian swamp stonecrop (Crassula helmsii), which was brought to the UK from Tasmania in 1911, was first detected in the wild in 1970 in the English Home Counties, after being widely used by garden pond enthusiasts to oxygenate water.

By 1986 it had colonised 33 open water courses south of the Border, and in the following 13 years to 1999, it had spread aggressively to a further 574 lakes and freshwater systems. It is rapidly colonising Scottish lochs, where it is out-competing and displacing native plants...

Crassula multicava ssp. multicava - London Pride
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Date: Friday, April 26, 2002 10:40 AM
From: Bushfire & Environmental Services

Does anyone have any experience with control of Crassula multicava ssp. multicava? We are looking for an appropriate method to treat infestations on the edge of littoral rainforest on the central cost of NSW. We have heard that steaming or burning are the only effective control methods. Has anyone had any success with other methods or could provide further advice regarding steaming?

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Sent: Sunday, April 28, 2002 8:26 PM
From: "Neil Tucker" <neiltpipeline.com.au>

I'm sure I sprayed some of this a year ago while doing Watsonias. I was using Roundup (20ml/lt) plus Brush-off (nominal 7g/100lt, actually probably much more) plus Pulse. It died. Give it a try anyway.

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Sent: Monday, April 29, 2002 9:15 PM
From: "Hugh Paterson and Francoise Matter" <goodbushpnc.com.au>

I bet everything else touched by that mix died as well!

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Date: Wed, 1 May 2002
From: Neil Tucker <neiltpipeline.com.au>

Depends what you spray it on. I was using a 2 litre hand spray-bottle up close, under a Moonah stand with little understorey - total volume probably <100ml. The Moonahs are unaffected. The suggestion in the query was that there was no effective spray.

Cupaniopsis anacardioides - Carrotwood
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Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2006
From: Kelly Scott <kelly.scott@adelaide.edu.au>

Name: Mick Bramwell <mick.bramwell@dse.vic.gov.au>

Our local East Gippsland Shire and DSE is looking to plant Carrotwood cupaniopsis anacardioides in a dune area near Lakes Entrance. Its not indigenous to the area but does anyone know anything of its invasiveness into natural areas? I understand it is noxious in Florida, USA.

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Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2006
From: "Randall, Rod" <RPRandall@agric.wa.gov.au>

Please don't. Cupaniopsis anacardioides is an environmental weed and routinely escapes from cultivation. It is a noxious weed in Florida in the USA and it is problematic across a wide range of habitats in southeastern USA.

I cannot understand why anyone would want to plant such a tree in a dune system or anywhere for that matter, shear madness.

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Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2006
From: Sheldon <S.Navie@uq.edu.au>

This species is extremely weedy in some parts of the US (as you mentioned). In fact it is so bad it has been included on the Global Invasive Species Database. You can get more info at the following website (http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=641&fr=1&sts=#).

It has not yet become a problem outside its native range in Australia, but personally I think that it is only a matter of time. It has been widely planted in south-eastern Queensland (where it is native) and as a result it is thought to have spread into local environments that it did not occupy before in this area (i.e. it is a tree of coastal scrubs that is spreading from parks into eucalypt forests around Brisbane).

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Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2006
From: Ross Macleay <lizardland@bigpond.com>

Fascinating this thing about Tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis anacardioides) moving inland. I am on the NSW north coast - lots of native Tuckeroos in littoral scrub, especially on dunes. We plant them too. But I have noticed it popping up occasionally in bush regen sites up to 10km from the coast. Not really a problem but I wonder if something unusual is happening. Bird ecology changes? What?

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Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2006
From: John Martin <john.martin@cp.nsw.gov.au>

This species is also planted as a street tree in the eastern suburbs of Sydney (don’t know about the north, south or west) and in urban parks where I have observed it spreading, presumably by birds as they are generally isolated / not associated with a planted specimen nor a water corridor. I have also heard neighbouring Council Bushcare officers in the eastern suburbs refer to tuckeroo as the next sweet pittosporum (Pittosporum undulatum) which is commonly considered a ‘weedy’ native.

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Date: Thu, 14 Sep 2006
From: <Rudi.Adlmayer@woollahra.nsw.gov.au>

We have noticed more seedlings appearing over the last ten years, in areas that have been regenerated, they do not seem to be as bad as Pittosporum undulatum. But we never saw Celtis sp seedlings ten years ago in bushland, now they are everywhere around Sydneys eastern suburbs bushland. So i would be wary of them as a sleeper weed.

Cupressus macrocarpa - Monterey cypress
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Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2007
From: Geoff Hudson <Geoff.Hudson@lgsa.org.au>

Does anyone have any information on Cypress macrocarpa (Golden Cypress)?

Is it a current or potential weed species?

Is its production and use as sustainable as claimed?

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Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2007
From: ipopay@doc.govt.nz

Cupressus macrocarpa has been extensively planted in NZ as a shelter belt. It can stand harsh winds and poor soils in lowland places. Here’s a comment on its
timber value:

‘Macrocarpa is one of the most naturally durable exotic softwoods grown in New Zealand, and is resistant to insect and borer attack in its sawn form.

Its heartwood is rated moderately durable which means a 50x50 stake will last 10-15 years in the ground. Larger sections will last considerably longer. Outside and above the ground macrocarpa is equivalent to H3 pine in durability. Inside where the timber is not subject to the elements, it will last virtually indefinitely.’ – Cypress sawmill (http://www.cypress-sawmill.co.nz/about_new_zealand_macrocarpa.htm).

It’s also naturalised here in both islands, according to our flora in ‘lowlands, especially towards the coast and in northern areas. Occasional and scattered cultivation escape in the vicinity of planted trees, mainly in open, waste ground’.

So far as we know it isn’t considered a serious weed but could be a minor problem in some places.

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Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2007
From: "Randall, Rod" <RPRandall@agric.wa.gov.au>

Its correct name is Cupressus macrocarpa and more commonly known as the Monterey cypress. Its a weed yes, more typically in temperate climates.

Has naturalised in several Australian states as well as California, Galapagos, the UK, Spain, Portugal, France, Ireland, Canary Isl. and New Zealand.

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Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2007
From: Neil Tucker <neilt@pipeline.com.au>

There were some cypresses next to the famous Great Ocean Road arch. After Ash Wednesday, seedlings came up in the adjacent bush prolifically & have only just been removed at great cost. There is an expensive ongoing weed control (including cypress seedlings) & revegetation program underway.

Cuscuta campestris, Cuscuta japonica - Golden Dodder
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Date: Wed, 22 May 2002
From: Rachael Pratt <RPrattagric.wa.gov.au>

Golden dodder (Cuscuta campestris) is a declared noxious weed in Western Australia (and from memory, in a number of other states). It can pose a serious threat in some environments. Control is challenging with seed dormancy and few herbicide options. Pruning of infested branches, or destruction of infested crops are the most practical options.

Information on golden dodder is available on our web site:
http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/programs/app/weeds/golddodder.htm
or try the following comprehensive references:
Dawson, J.H., Musselman, L.J., Wolswinkel, P. and Dorr, I. 1994. Biology and control of Cuscuta. Rev. Weed. Sci. 6,265-317.
Parker, C. 1991. Protection of crops against parasitic weeds. Crop Protection 10,6-22.

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Date: Wed, 22 May 2002
From: Chris Parker <chrisparker5compuserve.com>

I understand that 'Golden dodder' normally means Cuscuta campestris in your part of the world. If the dodder in Thailand was growing on trees it is still just possible it is that species but it is rather more likely to be C. reflexa, which is the more common on woody species, or even the totally unrelated but similar-looking Cassytha filiformis (Lauraceae). I can think of no control methods that would be especially useful in a forest ecosystem, natural or managed, but nor am I aware that Cuscuta or Cassytha are likely to be really damaging on any large scale.

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Date: Wed, 22 May 2002
From: Mary L. Ketchersid<m-ketchersidtamu.edu>

It could be Cuscuta japonica. This is one that is used in SE Asian herbal medicine. It has been brought into Houston, Texas USA and it is a real problem. As with others the only control measure is to cut down and burn the host. I have a powerpoint slide presentation posted at: http://agenvsafety.tamu.edu/mary/dodder/dodder.htm slide #3 shows a tree filled with it in late October and by early December that tree was completely dead. This stuff can be spread by the strings falling off of one plant onto another plant. The tree next to the one in the photo is about 50 feet tall and the vines have moved all through it.

I have one small test plant that I am watching so that I know what to expect. The host sits in the center of a 12 foot square concrete patio with monocot plants around the outside as a buffer. The dodder is on one 10 gallon wax leaf Ligustrum. I collected a sample on February 15 and put it into a plastic bag. This stuff set in the bag in the house these four days. In Houston there is a lot of dodder on wax leaf Ligustrum. My husband went and got two wax-leaf Ligustrum plants on February 19.

Well it is sort of frightening. I put a piece on one of the wax leaf Ligustrum bushes and put some into a plant press. One piece (~1.5 to 3.0 inches) on the plant wrapped around a branch and just set there for about three weeks. The rest died and dried. The material in the plant press was extremely slow drying and turned dark without making a very good sample. It took six weeks to fully dry in the press. After three weeks, the little piece wrapped around the stem began to grow. Much of the growth twined around in the Ligustrum bush. By April 21 there were long loose strands so I cut them all off back to the bush. By now the one small piece of dodder had branched and re-branched. At least 10 branches were cut back to the bush. This accounted for 22 feet of vines and a fresh weight of 12.5 grams (they are not very heavy). One week later, I clipped it all back again and collected 18 feet of vines that weighed 10 grams. May 5 30.6 feet and 16.7 grams. It is confined to it's original bush and it is well isolated from possible host plants but it has confirmed what one of the Houston people said - - - they said if you watch it you can see it grow because it grows so fast. I will continue to clip it every week unless it gets to growing too fast then I will clip it back more often. If I should need to leave for a week, I will clip all of the growth from the bush that is not tightly wound around the stem so there is no chance of it getting away. And I will cover the bush with a small mesh netting. I put the cut off samples in a drying oven so that I can also get dry weight.

Here are some things that bother me about the situation in Houston. First it over wintered in the area there were freezes and much of the tissue died but some definitely lived through the winter. Broken off material remains viable for a long period of time. And as I said, in April it was beginning to grow again on the Houston bushes. Much of what they have is on private property and the home owners do not want their trees cut down. If the home owners say no, the city can not go in and take the trees. They already thought it would spread by pieces buses break it off and drop pieces further down the line. Well, now I have seen a very small piece take off and start growing. Now that the weather is warm and everything has started to grow, I am afraid that Houston may have a serious problem.

Dodder Experiment - February 19 ~ 3 inches wrapped around stem
Date Length weight
(feet) (grams) fresh
April 21 22 12.5
April 28 18 10.0
May 5 30.6 16.7
May 12 38.3 20.0
May19 108.9 62.0

Vines cut back each time to where they wrap around the host stem

Like your situation - no one is dealing with it now but when it gets away there will be no way of controlling it.

Cylindropuntia spp.
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Date: Tue, 29 May 2007
From: "Lloyd, Sandy" <slloyd@agric.wa.gov.au>

Has anyone done work on disposal of Cylindropuntia species in particular (and Agave species) by deep burial?

Have small infestations in remote locations - burial could be the easiest option but I need to know how deep (the person enquiring has access to earth moving equipment)

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Date: Tue, 29 May 2007
From: Alexandra Shackleton <ashackleton@geelongcity.vic.gov.au>

We regularly send ours to the tip for deep burial quite happily. I would estimate that it gets covered with at least 2m of material, and quite often more. There are standards for tip capping (well - there are in Vic so presumably in other states) that may give you more detail - I'd suggest enquiring with your local govt waste management officer/section.

Just look out for dropped bits on the way in!

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Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2006
From: Coral Marsden <coral.marsden@internode.on.net>

I was wondering if anyone can give me any information on the plant known as Hudson Pear (Cylindropuntia rosea).

I am looking for info related to how it spreads, how to get rid of it.

It is not a declared weed here in South Australia, but I hear it is in NSW and Victoria

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Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2006
From: Rod Randall <RPRandall@agric.wa.gov.au>

Opuntia rosea is the correct name, taxonomically cactii are a nightmare but according to Hunt (1992). in the CITES Cactaceae Checklist. this is the correct name to use.

Spread is by fruits eaten by various animals, birds including humans and the cladodes (modified stems) can root to form new plants very easily. So dumped cuttings and intentional plantings from people who eat the fruit are major means of spread.

This species is a major weed in South Africa and is becoming a weed in Spain.

I believe this species may be effected by the cactoblastis moth, can anyone confirm?

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Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2006
From: Neville Walsh <Neville.Walsh@rbg.vic.gov.au>

It's not going to help your control info I'm afraid, but the recommended name for this, according to a consensus of Australian herbaria, is Cylindropuntia rosea. Currently known to be naturalised in Aust. only in WA and NSW.

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Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2006
From: <stephen.johnson@dpi.nsw.gov.au>

Hudson pear (Cylindropuntia rosea) is certainly a weed of interest in NSW (as well as SA). All Cylindropuntia and Opuntia species are declared Class 4 noxious weeds across NSW (see the NSW DPI website http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/noxweed ).

Rod correctly pointed out that the species is spread by stem pieces. These have the unfortunate habit of attaching to anything from rubber tyres, shoes, the human body and to most wild and domesticated animals given the chance. The species appears to have been intentionally introduced into NSW as an ornamental in the past. Whether of not the species is spread by fruit is still under discussion.

Some estimates state that the species is problematic to some degree over 50,000 - 100,000 hectares in the north west of NSW, predominantly around Lightning Ridge with at least one smaller infestation near Coonamble. The species has the potential to grow on red sandy country right through to grey and black soil plains and core infestation sites are expanding.

There are a number of options used in controlling the weed. Good hygiene is an important one. Small stem pieces are very hard to see, especially in grassy vegetation. For this reason follow up herbicide treatments are often needed.

It is likely that the cactoblastis moth has the potential to control the weed, but the current populations we have in Australia are not all that effective. Long term biological control will be an important means of managing this weed.

Since this species is currently undergoing review by NSW DPI, I am happy to discuss the accumulated knowledge of my coworkers with individuals via direct email.

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Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2006
From: Sandy Lloyd <slloyd@agric.wa.gov.au>

Coral - are you sure it's Cylindropuntia rosea? Cactus taxonomy is very difficult, and many species have been introduced.

I think we had to send ours to Arizona or New Mexico before the ID was confirmed

Cyperus eragrostis - Umbrella Sedge
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Date: Tue, 13 Jun 2006
From: <akorscha@bigpond.net.au>

Seeking some success stories for the eradication/management of Umbrella Sedge (Cyperus eragrostis).

Has anybody had any luck with eradication of large infestations - any sprays that work?

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Date: Fri, 16 Jun 2006
From: Michael Neighbour <michael@australianecosystems.com.au>

We use a mixture of Glyphosate 360 and MCPA 500 for larger plants preferably during the warmer months.

Germinants can be treated with MCPA alone up until the 4 leaf stage.

We work with large infestations regularly also. Feel free to give me a call if you have any further queries.


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