Weeds

Weeds – Teewah’s Most (UN)wanted

Asparagus aethiopicus –Basket Asparagus fern

Serious environmental weed invading bushland, dunes, and gardens of Teewah.
Red berries are spread by birds.
Came from Cape Province, South Africa.
In small areas it is best to hand dig.
Only the crown needs to be removed – by clipping off the fronds, cutting the main roots with a knife, and pulling the crown out. The white fleshy bulbs are energy and water storage organs and cannot shoot. If new plants appear they are from seed that have dropped earlier. The crowns need to be binned with household waste, not composted. They can stay alive for a year at least!
It is important to collect the berries before digging.
For more information, including controls in larger areas, see https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/land-management/health-pests-weeds-diseases/weeds-diseases/invasive-plants/restricted/basket-asparagus-fern

Bryophyllum delagoense – Mother-of-millions – and Bryophyllum pinnatum Resurrection Plant

There are several related species and a hybrid in this mother-of-millions group.
Widespread around town, particularly on dunes and disturbed areas.
Native of Madagascar and southern Africa.
Very hard to control because they produces little plants on the leaves that fall off easily when moved.
Spread by flood water, people, mowers, machinery.
Easy to pull out but be careful with the plants – removed gently, bag, put in Council waste not green waste.
For more information and control of larger areas, see https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/land-management/health-pests-weeds-diseases/weeds-diseases/invasive-plants/restricted/mother-millions and https://weeds.brisbane.qld.gov.au/weeds/resurrection-plant

Senna pendula var. glabrata Easter cassia

Easter cassia puts on a spectacular display of golden flowers around Easter time in Teewah.
It came from South America.
Unfortunately it has spread into the bush and dunes.
It can climb high into the canopy if it gets the chance.
It is spread by means of the relatively large seeds that form in green pods which later turn brown.
Seedlings and small plants are easy to pull out. A mattock or similar tool is needed for bigger plants.
The crown must come out, or it will reshoot.
For more information including control with the cut-stump method for large plants, see https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/66712/easter-cassia.pdf

Solanum seaforthianum -Brazilian Nightshade

Brazilian Nightshade is native to South America.
The red berries are toxic, and are spread by birds.
The issue in Teewah is that it smothers native plants, climbing high into the canopy.
Small plants can be dug or pulled out of the sand fairly easily. Larger plants may need to be treated with herbicides – cut-stump or basal barks sprays are preferable to spraying.

Heptrophyllum actinophyllum (Schefflera actinophylla) – Umbrella Tree

The Umbrella Tree is native to North Queensland, north of the Tropic of Capricorn, but becomes weedy in southern Queensland.
It has flowers that attract birds, and can reach great heights.
Around Teewah, it is not a major problem but still needs to be controlled, particularly in the bush near the township.
Young plants like the one shown below are easy to pull in the sand. Small trees need a mattock, but large trees are a different matter.
For more information including treatments for trees, see https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/51706/umbrella-tree.pdf

Passiflora suberosa – Corky Passion Vine

Corky Passion Vine is native to South America.
In Teewah it commonly smothers native plants growing under a canopy of taller trees and is a real pest.
It is difficult to contol because it is hard to remove without taking everything else. It can be dragged off other plants, but will regrow unless removed.
Purple fruit are spread by birds.
Chemical controls are described in https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/62328/corky-passionflower.pdf. Cut stump and stem-scratching methods work.

Passiflora foetida – Stinking Passion Flower

Stinking Passion Flower or Stinking Passionfruit gets its name from its unpleasant smell.
It came from South America.
It is less damaging in Teewah than Corky Passion Vine. The fruits are covered in a hairy sticky net, and the flowers are different too.
Flowers may be white, pink or purple.
Reported poisonous to people and animals, so take care.
It is fairly easy to pull out in the sand, but make sure the roots come too.
More information as: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/biosecurity/plants/invasive/other/stinking-passion-flower

Gloriosa superba – Gloriosa Lily

Gloriosa or Glory Lily has become obvious in Teewah in recent years and seems to be increasing.
It is native to Africa and Asia.
It is considered a serious threat to coastal dunes of NSW and South-east Qld.
BEWARE – all parts of the plants are poisonous. Handle with care.
It dies down in winter but persists underground with a system of roots and tubers. This complicates control.
Small plants can be removed by hand.
For more information see https://weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/Weeds/GloryLily

Cenchrus echinatus Mossman River Grass or Mossman Burr Grass

This is a nasty little grass because it produces burrs with sharp spines that get in your socks, fingers and feet and really hurt!
It is common along the paths and walkways of Teewah, especially the Cootharaba track.
The name suggests it might be a North Queensland local, but its origins are Central America and southern part of North America.
It is easily spread in clothing and the fur of animals.
It is an annual weed best controlled by digging before seeds are produced. Put burrs from clothing in the Council waste (not the garden).
For more information see https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/66503/mossman-river-grass.pdf

Solanum americanum – American Black Nightshade (related to Blackberry Nightshade)

Blackberry Nightshade is present in Teewah, mostly in disturbed areas, but is not a big problem.
However it is worth removing.
Widespread internationally. Native to parts of Africa, Europe and Asia.
Spreads mainly by birds that eat the fruit, but also by people
It is listed as an environmental weed, and can produce massive amounts of seed per plant.
It is easy to pull out, but remove the fruit first.
For more information, see https://weeds.brisbane.qld.gov.au/weeds/blackberry-nightshade

Catharanthus roseus – Pink Periwinkle

Common in gardens and around the Teewah tracks, on the dunes.
Flowers may be pink, white or other colours.
Native of Madagascar.
Not one of our major weeds, but a threat to dunes.
Spread by wind, water, garden waste, animals, people, in garden soil.
For more information, see https://weeds.brisbane.qld.gov.au/weeds/pink-periwinkle.

Sansevieria trifasciata – Mother-in-Law’s Tongue

Obviously named by a son-in-law with a vindictive streak!
Native to Nigeria.
It is not hugely out of control in Teewah, but it thrives in sand dunes and we have seen it take over an entire hillside on Fraser Island at Sandy Cape. Best to keep an eye on it. Some nurseries still sell it but it is not a good choice for Teewah. Spreads easily in garden rubbish left in bushland.
It is relatively easy to pull but it is better to dig as it has long orange-coloured rhizomes under the sand that will reshoot if not removed.
For more information, see https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/55588/mother-in-laws-tongue.pdf