Common Weeds
Some of the more common weeds of Queensland are listed below. Weeds that are not yet common or established but pose a significant threat are identified by an asterix. Weeds that are identified as Weeds of National Significance are noted as "WoNS".
Common Name | Scientific Name | Origin | Description | Signif- icance | Primary Distribution | Image | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
African tulip tree | Spathodea campanulata | tropical Africa | Fast growing, highly invasive, evergreen tree forming dense stands in gullies and streams, crowding out native vegetation | Class 3 | SE Qld and gardens | ||
Alligator Weed* | Alternanthera philoxeroides | South America | Grows on land in damp soil, or in water as dense floating mats | Class 1 WoNS | Potential to establish in all Queensland coastal areas and inland agricultural and urban areas | ||
Camphor laurel | Cinnamomum camphora | Asia | Large attractive shade tree, aggressively replaces native vegetation | Class 3 | Gardens throughout Qld | ||
Fireweed | Senecio madagascariensis | Madagascar, Southern Africa | Daisy-like herb with bright yellow flowers, competes with pasture species | Class 2 | New South Wales coast and north to Brisbane | ||
Lantana | Lantana camara | Central, South America | Heavily branched shrub that can grow as compact clumps, dense thickets and as scrambling and climbing vines that smother native vegetation | Class 3 WoNS | Most coastal and sub-coastal areas of eastern Australia | ||
Mesquite | Prosopis spp. | North, South America | Spread significantly in Queensland, may form dense impenetrable thickets, aggressive competitor and drought tolerant | Class 1 WoNS | Western Qld | ||
Mother of millions | Bryophyllum spp. | Madagascar | Succulent type plant well adapted to dry areas, highly toxic to stock, forms masses of embryoids (plantlets), hard to eradicate | Class 2 | Ornamental garden plant, Central Highlands, Burnett | ||
Ochna (aka Mickey Mouse plant) | Ochna serrulata | Africa | Ornamental species, easily dispersed to new areas by birds eating the fruits | n/a | Widely planted in gardens | ||
Parkinsonia | Parkinsonia aculeata | tropical America | Introduced ornamental small shade tree, seeds float, forms dense, thorny thickets along watercourses | Class 2 WoNS | inland Qld | ||
Parthenium | Parthenium hysterophorus | tropical America | Vigorous coloniser of weak pastures, disturbed areas, brigalow, gidgee and softwood scrub soils. Linked to health allergies | Class 2 WoNS | predominantly Central Qld | ||
Prickly pear | Opuntia spp. | Americas | Spiky cactus, drought resistant, widespread infestation in early 20th c. but reduced through biological control | Class 2 | Central, Southern Qld | ||
Willow | Salix spp. | Northern hemisphere | Popular garden ornamentals, but invasive in waterways with aggressive root systems | Class 1 WoNS | Cooler parts of Qld |
Read more about this topic: List Of Common Weeds Of Queensland
Famous quotes containing the words common and/or weeds:
“My facts shall be falsehoods to the common sense. I would so state facts that they shall be significant, shall be myths or mythologic. Facts which the mind perceived, thoughts which the body thoughtwith these I deal.”
—Henry David Thoreau (18171862)
“And there, a field rat, startled, squealing bleeds,
His belly close to ground. I see the blade,
Blood-stained, continue cutting weeds and shade.”
—Jean Toomer (18941967)