Ageratina adenophora
Crofton weed
Crofton weed is a rapid-spreading weed that has become a nuisance in many areas along the eastern coast of Australia. It is particularly invasive on cleared land that is not grazed, such as public reserves, and causes particular problems for horse owners. A member of the Asteraceae or daisy family, Crofton weed is a native of Mexico. It is present as a weed in India, Sri Lanka, the Canary Islands, Jamaica, mainland United States, Hawaii, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia. Since its escape from ornamental cultivation in Australia about 1900, it has become widespread in Queensland coastal areas, on the [...]
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Nassella neesiana
Chilean needle grass
Chilean needle grass, named for its long, pointed seeds, is a perennial tussock forming grass which grows in dense clumps to one metre high. It is closely related to serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) and is a Weed of National Significance (WoNS). Chilean needle grass affects sown pasture and native grasslands of south-eastern Australia. It is relatively unpalatable and reduces farm productivity by displacing more desirable pasture species. Heavy infestations can decrease productivity by as much as 50 per cent during summer. It also injures stock and downgrades wool, skins and hides with its long, sharp seeds. Chilean needle grass is [...]
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Clidemia hirta
Koster’s curse
Koster’s curse is a declared Class 1 Noxious Weed in NSW and is the target of a national eradication program. It is a highly invasive shrub, growing up to five metres tall and has the potential to spread rapidly over many parts of Australia. Koster’s curse forms dense thickets, which can smother pasture and native vegetation in a similar manner to lantana. It is quick-growing and could cause major problems for primary industries. It invades disturbed areas including the edges of clearings and stream-banks, along fence lines, paths and roadways. The weed prefers humid tropical lowlands and therefore could spread [...]
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Ligustrum sinense
Narrow-leaf privet
Narrow-leaf privet is a much-branched, hardy, evergreen, fast-growing shrub up to four metres tall, formerly used extensively for hedging. Sprays of small, round blue-black berries persist into winter. Its stems are covered in lenticels (white dots). It is a tall multi-stemmed shrub. Leaves are dark green ovals with a pointed tip, to 6cm long and often have a wavy margin. Masses of heavily-scented tiny white tubular flowers occur in drooping sprays in spring; they are highly allergenic. One plant may produce up to a million seeds, which are spread into bushland by birds, and are also washed down waterways. Narrow-leaf [...]
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Senecio madagascariensis
Fireweed
Fireweed is a highly invasive and opportunistic weed, native to south-eastern Africa. It quickly colonises overgrazed pastures and disturbed areas. It is a serious pasture weed of coastal NSW. It is able to grow on most soil types and in all aspects. It forms a persistent seedbank if not controlled before it flowers and can rapidly take over heavily grazed and neglected pastures, competing strongly with existing pasture plants. It seeds prolifically and grows to maturity quickly. Density is influenced by groundcover and competition, especially in autumn. Fireweed can quickly establish where ground has been cultivated or disturbed, or where [...]
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Xanthium occidentale or pungens
Noogoora burr
Noogoora burr is an annual herb which grows up to 2.5 metres tall with two growth forms; erect single stemmed or many branched and spreading. It has an extensive root system and is toxic to stock. Stems are rough to touch with short stout upward directed hairs, green and usually blotched or streaked purple. Leaves are dark green and similar in shape to grape vine leaves, about 15cm in diameter. Flowers are green and occur in inconspicuous clusters around leaf axils. The fruit is a hard woody burr with many hooked spines and two terminal beaks. Each burr contains two [...]
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Ligustrum lucidum
Broad-leaf privet
Broad-leaf privet originates from eastern Asia and has become a widespread weed of disturbed land, pastoral areas and native bushland in coastal NSW. It grows as an evergreen shrub or small tree to a height of 4-10 metres. The brown bark is covered in small white lenticels (pores that allow gas exchange). Pointed oval-shaped leaves occur in opposite pairs, and are 4-13 cm long and 3-6 cm wide. The upper leaf surface is dark green and glossy or shiny, while the under-surface is paler with distinct veins. Leaves are hairless. Cream or white tubular flowers with four petal-like lobes occur [...]
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Caesalpinia decapetala
Mysore thorn
Mysore thorn is a perennial shrub, growing to 2-4 metres, or a sprawling climber to 15 metres high, which readily forms a dense impenetrable thicket. It has tap roots and lateral roots. Mysore thorn is a vigorous growing plant capable of climbing and engulfing native vegetation, fences, sheds, bridges and other infrastructure. The long spines of the Mysore thorn can inflict serious injury to humans and animals, native and domestic. Mysore thorn forms dense thickets restricting access of stock and machinery to vital areas like water, pastures and roads. Thorns on the stems are straight or hooked and aid in [...]
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Pueraria lobata
Kudzu
Kudzu is a coarse, high-climbing, twining, trailing, perennial vine. It has hairy, dark brown stems up to 15 metres long. It forms large root tubers up to two metres long and 18 cm to 45 cm wide that can weigh as much as 180 kg on old plants and can reach a depth of one metre to five metres. Leaves are alternate with three leaflets (hairy on both surfaces) 8 cm to 20 cm long and 5 cm to 19 cm wide, usually slightly lobed (unless in shade). Flowers are pea-like, pink to purple with yellow centres, highly fragrant and [...]
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