Weed Talk

Run Rabbit Run!

2011-11-28T14:22:00.001+11:00

A visible increase in rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) numbers across south east Victoria has prompted Landcare groups along with the South Gippsland Community Weeds Taskforce to raise the issue. As were all well aware, rabbits are nothing new to mainland Australia. Since the late 18^th century they have hopped about the landscape digging warrens, decimating native vegetation, devouring pastures, sustaining fox populations and so on. Rabbits are that common these days that one doesn't bat an eyelid at the sight of bug's bunny peacefully nibbling grass on the roadside edge.

Is it rabbits 'commonness' that has management efforts falling by the way side? Or is the effort to control rabbits by land managers undermined by the sheer magnitude of the problem? Or rather are we stepping back from the problem and depending on the release of a new biological control agent to save the day? The likely answer is yes to all of these factors.

It's a given that control programs cost money, as a result land managers often rely on once a year poisoning programs. Typically only on their own properties and when rabbit populations are high with no integration/follow up with other control methods. To achieve effective rabbit control effort must be continuous. Therefore it's not the effort that is undermining the result but rather the ineffective methods that are generally used. One needs to be able to; adopt and use integrated rabbit control, kill rabbits at a faster rate than they can replace themselves at all densities, ensure rabbit immigration into your control site is zero, monitor rabbits at low densities and take immediate action if the population increases and maintain a social environment with your neighbours and community that supports the goal of aiming for rabbit free.

The success of the myxomatosis virus released in 1952 was poignant, reportedly wiping out 99.8% of rabbits. However by the 1990's rabbits showed resistance to the virus and their numbers once again climbed back into the millions. From 1996-1998 the Rabbit Calicivirus Disease (RCD) reduced rabbits by >50% in arid areas however once again, as with the myxo virus, numbers have bounced back. If the history of biological control agents is anything to go by then we shouldn't depend on it to keep rabbit numbers under control, at least not in the long run.

If we stop tolerating the 'commonness' of rabbits and start to adequately control numbers we stand to win big time. A dairy farmer in Colac, Victoria (similar growing conditions to parts of South Gippsland) increased his milk production by 300% and doubled his fodder harvest over 5 years simply by tackling his rabbit problem. A sheep farmer in Colac, who also managed his rabbits effectively, increased his dry sheep equivalent from 1.75 to 7.75 over a 5 year period.

Whilst researching the topic of the impact on native vegetation from rabbits I came across this insightful quote; 'What's the difference between chainsaws, bulldozers and rabbits? Not much really. Though chainsaws and bulldozers are the preferred tool for clearing land, rabbits are just as effective. They eat tree seedlings so that when the mature trees die there are no young ones to replace them. The net effect is identical, only the time scale differs' (Pickard 1995, Managing Vertebrate Pests; Bureau of Resource Sciences and CSIRO). Adequate control would give native vegetation a chance to regenerate and ultimately lend itself to providing habitat and food for native wildlife that was previously displaced by rabbits.

It's important to recognise that rabbits do impact us economically, socially and environmentally. We must not wait for the next biological control agent but rather act now to control their numbers using a variety of techniques, continuously and in coordination with our neighbours, (including public land managers) and local community. For further information on rabbit control visit the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) website at www.dpi.vic.gov.au or contact the South Gippsland Landcare Network Project Officer Kate Williams on 5662 5759 or email katew@wgcma.vic.gov.au. To record rabbit sightings in your area visit www.feralscan.org.au. Feral Scan is a citizen science website where you help map feral animals and the damage they cause.

Reference

Bloomfield, T., Paroz, G. Rabbits and Their Impact October 2010, LC0298 Department of Primary Industries, Attwood.

Photo caption: A single pair of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) can produce 30-40 young a year.

Kate Williams, South Gippsland Landcare Network Project Officer

Wandering jew or trad (Tradescantia fluminensis, syn. T. albiflora) Environmental foe or Chicken delight?

2011-09-01T15:45:00.001+10:00

The waterways in South Gippsland are well aquatinted with this weed from South America. It loves nothing better than shady spot down by the river where it thrives on silty alluvial soils. It's not a huge fan of being submerged in water but it does tolerate the occasional flood and will put up with being waterlogged ever now and again.

Wandering trad has hairless leaves which are glossy, slightly fleshy and dark green in colour. A distinctive feature of the plant is its stem-clasping leaves at the base. Flowers are white, about 1cm across displayed during spring and summer. Fruit is not formed on the plant in Australia therefore it does not spread by seed but rather by broken off sections of stem taking root.

As the name suggests, it wanders about and forms dense mats that smothers all native groundcover vegetation in its path. Subsequently preventing natural regeneration of trees and shrubs. Over time, (in a stream bank situation) this process causes eventual loss of native tree and shrub cover which can lead to erosion. This makes wandering trad an unpopular addition to the natural environment in Australia.

In terms of its control, there are several options (see below). Using a combination of these, (based on site specifics and resources at hand) is the best method.

Manual removal: small infestations can be dug out ensuring that all stem fragments are removed, (if not they will regrow) and disposed of appropriately.

Solarisation: covering the plants with plastic sheeting for 6 weeks in the warmer months will weaken the plant (sunny situations only, this will not be effective in full shade). After removing the plastic any regrowth can be dug out or sprayed.

Herbicide: spraying with selective or non-selective herbicides, (using a surfactant) will work eventually but repeat treatments will be required. Herbicides registered in Victoria for use on wandering trad can be found on the APVMA website; www.apvma.gov.au.

Alternative uses: Julie Cave, Blue Mountains City Council Bush Regeneration Team member has made some suggestions for the use of trad which include; turning the plant into liquid fertiliser or compost. Read more on this by visiting http://www.weedsbluemountains.org.au/index.php.

Whilst researching control methods for wandering trad I came across findings that suggest ducks and chickens love the stuff. Apparently Muscovies and chickens consume wandering trad readily with no ill effects (given that the plants have not been sprayed with herbicide). If someone works out how to drive a flock of ducks down to an infested gully for some crash grazing we might have another viable management tool. In a domestic situation, those with chooks (and wondering trad) may have themselves a cheap and useful solution to the problem.

For further information on the identification of wandering trad visit www.southgippslandweeds.com.au or contact Kate Williams, South Gippsland Landcare Project Officer on (03) 5662 5759 or email katew@wgcma.vic.gov.au. Information from this article taken from Wandering jew (Tradescantia fluminensis, sny. T. albiflora) http://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/site/Weeds/Sheets/herbs/H%20Wandering%20jew.htm, Eurobodella Shire Council, NSW.

Kate

African lovegrass

2011-07-25T12:56:00.000+10:00

No love for African Lovegrass (Erogrostis curvula)

African lovegrass, or 'ALG' as it's referred to by those who know it, is a major weed of grazing land throughout mainland Australia. South Gippsland's not immune to invasion by African lovegrass. There has been a recent report of isolated plants as close as 10km from the South Gippsland Shire boundary; it may very well be within the Shire boundary. Being a tussock grass, its presence is often overlooked; (unlike weeds with bright purple flowers that are easy to spot) it can also be confused with some other native or introduced grasses. Early detection allows early control. What to look for;

· Perennial tussock grass (forms as a clump)

· Grows from 30-70cm high with a diameter of 25-35cm at ground level

· Begins flowering in spring or early summer with erect, open or compact seed heads that are a lead-grey or grey green colour (see photo below showing the seed heads)

· Leaves are blue-green, long and narrow with curly tips

· Has a ring of hairs below the base of the leaf blade

Whilst is can be confused with some native and introduced species, it is clearly distinct from them;

· Spear and corkscrew grass (Austrostipa sp.) look similar to African lovegrass in the early vegetative growth but have awns on the seed.

· Other native and introduced lovegrasses often look similar but have different seed heads.

African lovegrass is a problem in an agricultural situation as readily establishes in overgrazed pastures and only produces a limited quantity of green feed during the spring and summer months. Overall carrying capacity is reduced where infestations are dense. Forage quality declines as the plants mature and also with the commencement of frosts. The amount of green leaf dry matter utilised by the animal is at best 65% in early spring and 50% in early summer. Come winter, the amount utilised by the dead material is only 38%. Crude protein of the dead leaf in winter is only 3.6%. Minimise the risk of seed entry and establishment on your property by paying attention to likely sources of seed import. The movement of fodder is a main cause of weed seed spread in agriculture. If you're looking to purchase hay or livestock from a known African lovegrass area (check with Bob Wilson, DPI Gippsland Coordinator Pest Management to find out general distribution on T: (03) 56 629 930). Supplementary feeding in a smaller 'sacrifice' paddock is a good precautionary measure followed by monitoring. Be conscious of livestock movements, seeds take up to 7-10 days to pass through livestock and can still be viable for 10 days, as with the fodder keep livestock in a smaller paddock and monitor.

For further information on the identification of African lovegrass contact Kate Williams, South Gippsland Landcare Project Officer on (03) 5662 5759 or email katew@wgcma.vic.gov.au. To find out the general distribution of African lovegrass in Gippsland contact Bob Wilson, DPI Gippsland Coordinator Pest Management on T: (03) 56 629 930). Information from this article taken from Primefacts, February 2010 Edition via www.industry.nsw.gov.au and African lovegrass, May 2009. 3D weed management, Meat & Livestock Australia, Sydney.

Photos of African lovegrass courtesy of Peter Kershaw, VicRoads Eastern Region 2011.

Broadleaf Dock

2011-06-16T13:12:00.001+10:00

A recent visit to a farm, (that rears dairy calves) in South Gippsland has prompted me to talk about dock. Several paddocks on the farm were thick with broadleaf dock (Rumex obtusifolius), whilst out on a paddock the farmer asked "why is it growing with such vigour?" and "How can I get it under control without relying on herbicide?"

To address the first question one needs to try and understand what that plant is telling us. Docks are a perennial herb with a thick taproot. Plants with taproots are typically found in areas of poor drainage- the plant is trying to correct this problem by penetrating deep into the subsoil to improve drainage and aeration. Why might drainage be poor you ask- In pastures, calcium is a mineral removed in great quantities with the least return in the manure. Calcium is the element which, among other things, causes soil particles to move apart for good aeration and drainage. Soils deficient in calcium are in effect prone to water logging. Therefore even before doing a soil assessment or test we can assume that calcium may be deficient and that drainage is poor. High stocking rates may be another factor for compaction and subsequent poor drainage however the farmer indicated that stocking rates were fairly low and that they haven't even been stocked recently given the amount of water on the place.

Delving deeper, (quite literally!) a soil core sample was taken so that a quick visual assessment of the soils biotic and physical qualities could be made. It was obvious from the sample taken that the soil lacked diversity of microfauna with only earth worms present. A cockchafer grub was also found in the sample. Cockchafers are common pasture pests in Gippsland, affecting shallow rooted pasture species, having minimal impact on deep-rooted plants such as lucerne, cocksfoot, phalaris and dock for that matter. The extent and severity of damage caused by cockchafers varies markedly from year to year and from one property to the next. The main indicators of their presence can be found during a dry spell after the autumn break, when dead pasture is found among areas of green. Dead pasture, unless re-sowed, provides a perfect home for a new dock plant or another broadleaf plant such as capeweed. Perhaps this is another factor contributing to the growth of dock throughout the paddock. Looking at the grass in the sample, (namely the roots) it's clear that they are confined to the top few cm's of soil- yet another indicator that oxygen is poor lower down.

Following the visual assessment a *soil test was taken for chemical analysis. Results of the test found that, as suspected, the available calcium was slightly low. It also revealed that the available potash exceeded the available phosphate- this is characteristic of soil favoured by broadleaf weeds. Available nitrogen was low, (6.1ppm, desired level=26ppm). Nitrogen is the one nutrient that can be hard to manage as it's readily lost through leaching. Soil bacteria play a critical role in converting the nitrogen into amino acids- in this form it is not likely to leach. The soil test didn't test for the present of soil bacteria yet if it did there would be affair chance they would be in insufficient numbers.

With all the above in mind – finding an answer to the second question can seem overwhelming! I'm not an agronomist- and I don't intent to give specific advice as such- rather I've put together a list of useful resources below that can help you build a picture of ways to correct your specific weed problems.

Remember- you can spray pasture weeds with herbicide until the cows come home yet correcting the health of the soil should be the aim of the game.

McCaman J.L. 1994. Weeds and Why They Grow. Acres Australia www.acresaustralia.com.au

Department of Primary Industries, Victoria information on soil relevant to agriculture; http://new.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farming-management/soil-water

Department of Primary Industries, Victoria information on the Red headed cockchafer

http://new.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/pests-diseases-and-weeds/pest-insects/ag1358-the-redheaded-pasture-cockchafer

Primary Industries, NSW information on fertilisers and soil improvement http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/resources/soils/improvement

*It should be said that a plant tissue test is the preferred method for diagnosing trace element status of a pasture rather than a soil test but for the purposes of this exercise a soil test was taken.

Bridal Creeper: Be part of a program to reduce its spread!

2011-05-04T16:30:00.001+10:00

Bridal creeper (Asparagus asparagoides) is a perennial climber growing to 3m tall with a tuberous root system growing rapidly in autumn/winter (NOW) dying back to the roots over summer. The glossy leaves are a distinct bright green colour and 3cm long. Flowers are small and greenish to white hanging on stalks singly or in pairs along branchlets. Fruits are small red berries, 6-10 mm in diameter with up to 9 black, shiny seeds within when ripe. Bridal creeper is a Weed of National Significance as it readily invades disturbed and undisturbed vegetation across a wide range of habitats.

Left uncontrolled, it can have significant impacts to natural ecosystems. The plant can dominate ground flora forming dense curtains that smother shrubs and the lower canopy of trees. Bridal creeper is not considered an agricultural weed as it is palatable to stock and reproduction is greatly inhibited by herbivores. Bridal creeper has a number of features which make it difficult to control – its tuber reserves provide a buffer against adverse seasons, it has a wide germination range and, as mentioned above, it can invade undisturbed areas. On the up side - bridal creeper has a short-lived seedbank and seed production only occurs in early emerging stems.

With this in mind, preventing invasion in the first place and being vigilant in controlling new outbreaks really is the best line of defence. Typically new outbreaks occur underneath tall trees where seeds have been spread by birds, monitor these areas for potential outbreaks. All underground tubers need to be removed in order for manual removal to be fully effective. Tubers can grow at some depth under the soil therefore using a small mattock to get leverage is the best way to go. All removed material should be double bagged and disposed of appropriately. Removed tubers have been shown to survive even with out light for 2 years- therefore correct disposal is important.

If you have noticed Bridal creeper on your property, please contact Kate Williams, Landcare Project Officer at the South Gippsland Landcare Network on (03) 5662 5759 or email katew@wgcma.vic.gov.au. The Network is managing a control project along the Gippsland coast from Phillip Island to Port Albert, (where it is known to exist) in partnership with a range of stakeholders and financial assistance is available until July this year. This project is supported by Coastcare Victoria Community Grants- a joint program delivered in partnership between the Australian Government's Caring for Our Country and the Department of Sustainability and Environments Coast Action/Coastcare program.

FREE Field Days on Alternatives to Chemical Control April 19th & 21st

2011-04-11T15:03:00.001+10:00

FREE Field Days on Alternatives to Chemical Control April 19^th & 21^st

The rising cost of chemicals combined with uncertainty about safety and a desire to manage land in a more sustainable way prompts many people to consider alternatives to herbicide. Depending on the situation though, for any type of weed control it is usually a combination of controls that will be the most efficient way to deal with the problem. A good example is Gorse control where large infestations are mechanically mulched and the resultant regrowth is treated by chemicals and any new seedlings can be removed by hand over time. Mechanical control, being the most obvious method of non-chemical weed control, is not covered in this article. Some of the alternatives and a brief description of each method are described below.

Flame weeding. Uses an LP gas fired burner-either a direct flame or infrared burner. Weeds are not 'burnt' but lose the ability to move moisture and carry on photosynthesis causing the plant to wither and die within one to three days. Small plants are more susceptible to heat than more mature growth, therefore flame weeding works best when the weeds are small-typically less than 5cm high. Further info on flame weeders www.gameco.com.au

or www.elgas.com.au/for-business/flame-weeding

Steam weeding. Generally steam weeders require significant energy inputs to heat the water and they can require significant amounts of water. Suitable for Forestry, Fruit & Vegetable growers, Vineyards & similar, Road Authorities Shires and City Councils etc. Further info on steam weeders

www.acaengineering.com.au

BioWeed™ Herbicide. Used in agriculture, horticulture and by municipalities. Spot spraying and selective broad acre spraying of blackberry, gorse, ragwort, patterson's curse, thistles and other invasive weed species. BioWeed™ Herbicide works by desiccation of the cell walls of all contacted plant and seed tissue. On contacting living plant or seed tissue it quickly penetrates and disrupts normal membrane permeability and cellular physiology. Sprayed weed leaf tissue becomes dehydrated, creating a quick, visual browning effect within 1 to 12 hours of application. BioWeed™ Herbicide is a certified organic input. Further info on BioWeed™ Herbicide

www.certifiedorganics.info

To find out more on alternative control, The South Gippsland Community Task Force (CWT) in partnership with the Victorian Blackberry Taskforce is hosting two free sessions focusing on alternative blackberry control. Come along to one of the two days and learn from industry experts and real life examples of how blackberry has and can be controlled using alternative methods such as the BioWeed™ Herbicide. The field days are to be held on Tuesday April 19^th at the Mirboo North Football Club rooms and Thursday April 21^st at the Foster Memorial Arts Centre 10am – 2.00pm (lunch included). Everyone welcome. RSVP essential for catering purposes to South Gippsland Landcare Network (03) 5662 5759 or email

katew@wgcma.vic.gov.au

Weeds and Soil Health

2011-03-01T12:07:00.001+11:00

Rather than talk about a specific weed I thought it would be worthwhile to explore the underlying cause for weed establishment in pastures- unhealthy soils. Soil science is a complex subject and I'm more of a novice than an expert in the field yet what I'm learning through working as a Landcare Officer is the fundamental role soil health has in farming systems-particularly its role in supporting or suppressing undesirable plants, a.k.a weeds, therefore it's a topic I cant ignore and nor would I want to. It's commonly believed that healthy soils support weeds and desirable pasture species equally well. However it's quite the contrary, in the same way that an insect infestation indicates unhealthy plants with a nutritional imbalance, a weed infestation indicates that something's not right with the soil which in turn suppresses the growth of high producing pasture species and provides an environment favoured by weeds (Shepherd G. 2009).

In determining what's not right with the soil its physical, chemical and biological components need to be properly assessed. If thistles are your annoyance, a soil assessment may discover that the soil is deficient in the trace element Calcium and bacteria and high in Potassium and Sulphur-a profile typical of supporting thistles. An infestation of thistles would suggest soil conditions and fertility, (status of soil with respect to the amount and availability of elements to plants necessary for plant growth i.e. calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium) are inadequate to maintain a complete, vigorous pasture cover. Competitive suppression by vigorous pasture growth plays a major role in preventing weed establishment. Once the underlying soil deficiency is known appropriate action can be taken i.e. the application of liquid calcium incorporating a form of organic carbon along with the addition of fertiliser with the right trace elements to help alter the soil environment in such a way that weeds don't want to grow.

Changing the soil environment can successfully deal with any weed problem and provides for a more effective long term solution than the use of herbicides. However when faced with the initial problem of weeds, the incorporation of herbicides into a solution containing a pH modifier with ammonium humate, can provide good weed control. A mixture such as this enables the amount of herbicide used to be reduced by 25-35%, helping to buffer the effect of herbicide on soil life. Regular use of herbicides has a negative impact on soil microbes which are responsible for maintaining the nutrient balance and availability in the soil. The underlying message of this article is that whilst using chemical herbicides provides a quick-kill it only addresses the symptoms and does nothing to rectify the underlying cause.

LOCAL TRAINING IN SOIL HEALTH:

As part of the Targeted Land Stewardship program, the South Gippsland and Bass Coast Landcare Networks are running a series of courses on soil health in 2011. Two courses, Vital Soils 1 and Healthy Soils, Sustainable Farms are afforded to cater for primary producers and hobby farmers alike. Vital Soils 1, delivered by Sonia Lee is a 4 day training course delivered in the classroom and the field teaching an integrated, regenerative approach to soil management (Poowong July 2011). Healthy Soil, Sustainable Farms, delivered by Chris Alenson is a 3 day training course looking at soil health and fertility (Bunyip June 2011). To find out more or to RSVP (essential) please contact project officer Kathleen Bartlett on 5662 5759 or email kathleenb@wgcma.vi.gov.au

REFERENCES AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Baxter, M.N. 2001. Know Your Soils Agriculture Victoria- Bendigo. Centre for Land Protection Research. Part 1, 2 and 3.

Shepherd, T.G. 2009. Visual Soil Assessment. Volume 1. Field guide for pastoral grazing and cropping on flat to rolling country. Second edition. Horizons Regional Council, Palmerston North. 119p

INTERNET RESOURCES:

Target 10 online www.target10.com.au. Follow the prompts to Manuals, Soils and Fertilisers.

The Department of Primary Industries www.new.dpi.vic.gov.au. Type Soil Fertility into the search bar and follow the link.

Agapanthus- time to remove seed heads

2011-02-14T14:46:00.001+11:00

Agapanthus- you great us in summer with your friendly ball shaped flowers, you don't need much attention or care you just grow and grow. Come mid summer your flowers start to fade and your once attractive features are replaced with dull looking seed heads. Then you persevere throughout autumn and into winter with your long strappy leaves unscathed by drought or light frosts only to shoot up yet another blue pom pom come next summer.

If you enjoy the sight of agapanthus in flower lining the driveway or the low maintenance function that they provide then that's fair enough (I know I do!). However there are things to consider when it comes to this plants ability to readily spread. Each agapanthus plant is able to produce 2,400 seeds on average- these are then spread by water, wind or dumped garden waste. Aside from seed production, the primary method of spread in Victoria is vegetative means i.e. they multiply by themselves in clumps. A plant with such qualities, (in many cases and for obvious reasons) has the tendency to wonder beyond the drive way.

To avoid the problem of unwanted spread there are a couple of things that can be done. Firstly- to avoid the problem of seeds spreading, (whilst still be able to enjoying the plant in full bloom) cut off the seed heads once the plant has finished flowering (roughly now!). Secondly-plants in unwanted areas can be dug out, keeping in mind that all the underground roots (rhizomes) must be removed and disposed of appropriately. Any rhizomes left in the ground will regrow- even plants left lying upside down on the surface may take root and regrow, therefore correct disposal is important. The root system is fairly shallow meaning that plants can be peeled over and up-ended with less effort than one might expect.

If left uncontrolled in natural ecosystems- such as woodlands or grassy woodlands, agapanthus will become established and outcompete native vegetation forming a dense monoculture. Action on your property helps to keep our natural areas free from weed threat so that they can be enjoyed by all. So while the sun shining-now is the perfect time to get out in the garden- remove those seed heads and do your bit for the environment!

Kate

Yellow-flowering herbaceous plants; Senecios The Good and the Bad

2011-01-14T11:09:00.001+11:00

Senecio species are possibly the largest genus of flowering plants with roughly 1500 species, of which approximately 50 are native to Australia (Richardson et al 2007). A well known specie of Senecio in South Gippsland is Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea). Senecios are distinguished by having yellow flowers and alternately rranged leaves that often have stem-clasping ear-shaped lobes at their bases. Known to colonise disturbed areas and germinate quickly following bush-fires, Senecios are pioneering plants. In the scheme of a plant community, Senecios are understory plants with some species becoming invasive under ideal conditions.

With so many types of Senecio, correct identification can be difficult. Provided you have a sample of parts of the plant; leaves, flowers etc. below can be used as a guide to at least identify the 'bad' from the 'good'.

The Bad guys

Number of introduced species of Senecio in Victoria? There are roughly 5 exotic/introduced species of Senecio in Victoria.

What are some of the ones that are found/could be found in South Gippsland?

Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) is a major pasture weed in South Gippsland. Cattle selectively avoid grazing it so it proliferates. Poisonous to grazing mammals, both fresh and when dried in hay or chaff, ragwort causes liver damage, leading to photosensitisation, jaundice, wasting and sometimes death.

Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis). There are *no recorded infestations of Fireweed in the South Gippsland region, (*at the time of publication) however the growing conditions are suitable for a potential outbreak. Fireweed, like ragwort, is toxic to stock and has the potential to out compete desirable pasture grasses. This plant is a Victorian Weed Alert Weed see Department of Primary Industries Weed Alert Fact Sheet; Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis)

African daisy (Senecio pterophorus). Found in the Port Phillip region, African daisy as with ragwort and fireweed can cause heavy losses in agricultural productivity (being toxic to stock, avoided by cattle and costly to control). African daisy grows in a variety of situations from well-drained hillsides to semi-waterlogged gullies making it a threat to near by West Gippsland. For identification and control see the Landcare Note; African daisy (Senecio pterophorus)

The Good guys

Number of Senecio species native to Victoria? 50, (too many to mention!) 16 of these species can be found in the Melbourne area alone (Gray et al 2006).

What are some of the common natives found/could be found in South Gippsland?

Firewheel groundsel (Senecio linearifolius) can be found in wet and damp forests in higher hills and gullies. The plant has sharply-toothed, long leaves that are dark green in colour growing to 150mm long (the leaves of ragwort are 35cm long). Flowerheads are small with 5 petals (ragwort has 12-15 petals).

Rough Fireweed (Senecio hispidulus var. hispidulus) can be found in grasslands, dry and valley forests, coastal banksia woodland and tea tree heath. The plant has toothed to –lobed, long to egg shaped leaves growing to 60mm. Image of Rough Fireweed

Cotton fireweed (Senecio quadridentatus) is the most common and widespread Senecio species, found in riparian scrub, dry and valley forests and tea-tree heath. The plant has narrow, pointed leaves to 100mm long, becoming smaller up the stem.

If the above doesn't get you to a clear point of identification, (this is likely-considering there are so many species!) then there's some great reference material to help you discover exactly which Senecio you're dealing with. See below for details.

References

Introduced Senecio information;

Richardson F.J., Richardson R.G. and Shepherd R.C.H. (2007). Weeds of the South-East an Identification Guide for Australia. R.G and F.J, Victoria

Native Senecio information;

Australian Plant Society Maroondah (2001). Flora of Melbourne. 3^RD Edition. Hyland House, Melbourne

Kate

Holly (Ilex aquifolium); a Naughty not Nice bush invader

2010-12-23T12:39:00.001+11:00

With its glossy dark green leaves and scarlet red berries its no wonder European culture has long associated holly with Christmas time. Native to Europe, holly was introduced to Australia for ornamental use (Muyt 2001) and has now become a familiar foe in areas with cool, moist climates- including southern Victoria and Tasmania among other places.

Holly prefers fertile, deep, friable, moist and well drained soils- like those found within the Strzelecki Ranges. Plants are typically dormant in cooler areas over winter however they may continue to grow during mild winters and in warmer locations. Small white flowers are produced in late spring to early summer with red fruit developing over autumn- winter on female plants. On any given plant, some leaves have sharp triangular spines along the leaf edge while others are spineless.

The plant is of primary concern due to its impact on recreation and native vegetation. Holly forms dense thickets, (if left uncontrolled) restricting access to people and vehicles in remote areas or along poorly maintained tracks. The berries and leaves of holly are toxic to people, especially children. Reported symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, collapsing and unconsciousness (the fruit is not considered fatal) (Sheperd 2004). In a damp or wet forest environment, those areas once occupied by tall native shrubs will become dominated by holly creating a poor shrub layer. In turn impacting upon the lower layers of vegetation i.e. herbs and ground cover plants and preventing natural regeneration. Another feature which puts this plant on the naughty not nice list is that it provides a food source and shelter for pest animals. The berries are to some extent eaten by foxes (Garcia, Martines & Obeso 2007) as well as browsed by goats and deer (Obeso 1997).

To control holly seedlings and plants less than 1 metre tall can be dug out. Tops are prone to break away when pulled so if roots remain they should be dug out. All removed material should be disposed of appropriately, Larger plants can be controlled using the cut and paint or drill and fill methods. If using herbicide, treat the plant in spring- early summer when the plants are actively growing. Priority for initial treatment should be given to fruit-bearing female plants. For further information on the identification or control of holly please contact Kate Williams, South Gippsland Landcare Network Project Officer on (03) 5662 5759 or email katew@wgcma.vic.gov.au.

Kate

Become aware of Coastal weeds over Christmas/New Year

2010-11-23T15:40:00.001+11:00

What do Bluebell Creeper, Dolichos Pea and Polygala all have in common? They are low maintenance plants for the garden? This is true however beyond the garden these plants are considered a threat to coastal spots including areas frequently visited over the Christmas/New Year break.

The threat posed by bluebell creeper and dolichos pea is caused by there tendency to spread and form dense matts that smother native groundcover plants and shrubs. Whilst polygala doesn't smother vegetation, (as the others do) it does dominate the understory of coastal woodland. Left uncontrolled, these processes of smothering and dominating can, among other things, simplify vegetation communities making them less equipped to support a range of native fauna i.e. less flora diversity= less fauna diversity.

On the way to or from your local beach spot over summer take the time to see if you can spot either of these plants, (or all three if you're really lucky!) Common areas to look include; next to walking paths through bush on or near sand, the edges of bush in coastal areas or roadsides. What to look for; bluebell creeper as the name suggests, is a shrubby evergreen climber with blue flowers from September to February. Come late summer to autumn the plant would have developed oval fleshy berries. Dolichos pea is a perennial vine with pale mauve to purple pea like flowers from September to January. The type of polygala species commonly found in coastal areas is Polygala myrtifolia, an erect to spreading shrub growing to 3m high. Like the flowers of dolichos pea, the flowers of polygala resemble a pea and are purple to mauve also flowering from spring to summer.

In terms of control, permission should be sought from the land manager before any weed control is undertaken. Should you identify any of these plants over summer, I encourage you to be proactive by working with other locals/visitors or as individuals to seek permission and bring about control to reduce further spread. In a garden situation, there are numerous plants that look similar and can be planted as a great alternative. The south east Victorian coastline is truly special, (hence the vast number of holiday makers come Christmas!) and therefore well worth protecting from weed invasion.

For

further information on identification and control of bluebell creeper, dolichos pea or polygala please visit www.southgippslandweeds.com.au or contact Kate Williams, South Gippsland Landcare Project Officer on (03) 5613 5973 or email katew@wgcma.vic.gov.au. Please note; the plants described above are environmental weeds and not listed as noxious under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994.

Broom species

2010-10-13T11:57:00.001+11:00

Driving the roads of Victoria during this time of the year, be it at high speeds or a slow Sunday drive, it's hard to ignore the patches of yellow on roadside margins. It's a tell tale sign that spring is here when the daisy shaped flowers of cape weed and pea shaped flowers of broom species are in full bloom.

Whilst cape weed and broom are both in action at the moment, its broom that I will touch on for the purposes of this article not cape weed. The main reason being is that the optimum time to control species of broom is now and in the coming months prior to seed set in late spring to early summer.

Broom is an evergreen plant that can dominate native shrub vegetation growing 3 meters high and wide. There are three species of broom found in the region, Cape Broom (Genista monspessulana), English Broom (Cytisus scoparius) and Flax-Leaf Broom (Genista linifolia). All of the three species of broom are listed as noxious and regionally controlled within West Gippsland.

A common scenario for broom invasion occurs with the plant starting out in disturbed areas i.e. the edge of bushland or next to a water course. Over time, (if left uncontrolled) the infestation will expand into less disturbed areas i.e. within the bushland itself. It's for this very nature of invasion that broom constitutes a fire hazard. For example in roadside areas adjacent to bushland, (where fires are most likely to start) broom can form a flammable understory at the edge of a forest and spread into bushland.

Aside from being a fire hazard, species of broom are a concern to native vegetation given their ability to dominate native vegetation and severely impact regeneration of overstory plants including eucalypts and wattles for example. In addition, the seeds are highly poisonous potentially causing injury to fauna. In terms of its impact on agriculture, broom species are considered a low risk. The plant would not develop in cultivated situations and can easily be controlled by mechanical means.

For the above mentioned reasons, the opportunity to control the plants should be seised this spring. The community are working to keep weeds such as broom under control-your assistance in controlling broom on land under your control will help this effort. Small plants can be hand pulled if the soil is soft enough, larger plants can be slashed prior to flowering and any regrowth should be foliar-sprayed with the appropriate registered chemical.

Soursob

2010-08-20T14:37:00.001+10:00

Oxalis pes-caprae

Found in range of locations from gardens to roadsides, the noxious weed Oxalis pes-caprae or soursob is a concern primarily in pastures and amongst indigenous vegetation. It is distinguished by three heart-shaped leaflets with or without stalks that fold in dull days or at night. Flowers are bright yellow in colour and open in sunlight and close at night. There are masses of underground bulbs which are spread by water, birds, in dumped garden waste and during cultivation (not to be confused with native varieties of oxalis which have no bulbs).

Although primarily a weed affecting cultivated areas, soursob in pastures has the potential to replace almost all desirable plants from the time of autumn rains to well into the spring reducing carrying capacity. Stock will selectively graze more palatable species than the soursob with its high oxalate content. Soursob has severe impacts on indigenous ground-flora with dense infestations eradicating smaller plants.

In terms of its control, soursob would have to one of the most, (if not the most!) difficult weeds to eradicate. Control is made problematic for two main reasons; firstly it is the vigorous network of underground bulbs that render hand weeding or mechanical removal ineffective. Secondly it is the irritating life cycle of the plant that limits effective herbicide use to a one week window at the bulb exhaustion stage. A one week window that could open at any time between May and July. Suffice to say soursob is a weed that takes several years to control. Another suggested method of control involves using a combination of light exclusion and raking however this would be suited to a garden situation. Cultivation and grazing are generally ineffective means of control.

The optimum time for herbicide control may have come and gone for 2010 but the weed is no more apparent than now. Take the time to check your priority areas of land. Soursob is one to keep in the back of your mind, as spring and summer pass you'll be well prepared to strike with vengeance come autumn next year. Information on how to determine the bulb exhaustion stage will be provided as part of weed talk next year (prior to the optimum control time). If you would like further information on soursob please contact Kate Williams, Project Officer with the South Gippsland Landcare on (03) 5613 5973 or email katew@wgcma.vic.gov.au

Cape Ivy

2010-07-05T14:59:00.003+10:00

Aside from wattles, cape ivy would have to be the most distinctive plant at this time of the year in Gippsland, coating the landscape with patches of bright yellow. A perennial plant that grows as a ground cover or climber (given the opportunity), cape ivy is a problem plant to both native bush lands and household gardens. It forms a thick mat that smothers all vegetation within its 10m high reach.
Cape ivy, as with English ivy will only flower and produce seed on parts of the plant that become vertical i.e. climb up trees. Therefore when controlling, start with the vines growing up the tree to prevent flowering and further spread by seed. Cut climbing stems with secateurs and leave to die in shrubs or tree. Immediately paint with a suitable herbicide any cut stump that is to be left in the soil. For larger infestations spray foliage with herbicide, taking care to avoid spraying any native vegetation that the plant is climbing through. If using herbicide, paint/spray when the plant is actively growing from June to September. If controlling cape ivy in a garden situation, consider replacing it with a suitable plant such as native Clematis. There are a number of different types of Clematis plants to choose from, each suited to a range of conditions.
When controlling unwanted plants, whether it’s in your local patch of bush or burkes backyard next door, it’s important to have the end result in mind. Having a mental picture of what you want to achieve will steer you in the right direction and make the end result all the more satisfying!

Bluebell Creeper

2010-06-02T16:54:00.003+10:00

Buyer Beware of Bluebell Creeper!

Bluebell creeper; an evergreen climber, producing attractive flowers, tolerant to a rage of growing conditions and native to Australia. With all this in mind it comes as no surprise that bluebell creeper can be an avid gardener’s plant of choice! Native to Western Australia’s south coast, the creeper is undoubtedly well suited to Victoria’s coastal areas. From a gardeners point of view this is ideal, from the perspective of Victorias natural environment however, not so ideal. As with many plants for sale at the local nursery, all bought with good intents and purposes, bluebell creeper has found its way beyond the back yard fence into natural areas. The plant doesn’t get to these areas trough creeping, (as the name suggests) but rather it is spread far and wide by birds and foxes. Ripe seed is carried during the months of March to May and wherever the fox or the bird goes, so too a new plant will emerge! Beginning as isolated plants, bridal creeper fast develops into an aggressive invading front that smoothers all vegetation in its path. Such is being evidenced in coastal parts of South Gippsland.

The control of Bluebell creeper has recently been assessed as a high priority for Parks Victoria in coastal areas of South Gippsland. The assessment rated weeds according to the threat or impacts posed by a particular species i.e. effect on native flora. Results of the assessment determined that if left uncontrolled bluebell creeper has the potential to significantly degrade coastal vegetation communities.
Local Parks Victoria Ranger David Farrah explains “controlling bluebell creeper infestations in areas such as Cape Liptrap Coastal Park is a must, without adequate control the quality of native vegetation within this coastal zone is compromised”.

For those with Bluebell Creeper, it’s not to say that you should drop everything upon reading this and immediately remove all traces of the plant from your yard. Rather the idea of this article is to raise awareness about the threats associated with the plant. Be conscious of the land use in surrounding areas- no garden is an island. If your property is close to areas of native vegetation vulnerable to invasion be mindful that it can spread. Consider phasing out the creeper by replacing it with a suitable alternative. Control is best achieved in August to late September whilst the plant is actively growing and before the plants flower and bear fruit.

When selecting plants for your garden as a general rule ask yourself two basic questions
1) how it can be spread and
2) what are the impacts or consequences in the event that it does spread.
Knowing the answers to these questions will help you choose a suitable plant and prevent a garden plant from becoming an unwanted garden escapee.
If you would like further information on bluebell creeper please contact Kate Williams, Project Officer with the South Gippsland Landcare on 03 5613 5973 or email katew@wgcma.vic.gov.au For more information regarding the Parks Victoria weed control program please contact the Parks Victoria office at Foster on 03 5683 9000.

Gorse

2010-04-28T09:37:00.002+10:00

Don’t let gorse get a grip!

Ask anyone from north central Victoria or Tasmania what gorse is and they will probably tell you that it’s an absolute nightmare. Introduced to Australia in the early 1880’s, gorse is an extremely spiny shrub growing to 2.5m tall. Throughout the year gorse flowers bright yellow flowers shaped like those of a pea or bean, in Victoria flowering peaks in March to May, then again in July to October. The plant has negative impacts on grazing/cropping, native vegetation, land values and forest management. Gorse also acts as a fire hazard and harbor for pest animals. With this in mind it’s no wonder that gorse is classified as one of the 20 Weed of National Significance. In South Gippsland gorse is only found in relatively isolated areas at low densities. This is largely due to present climatic conditions in the region not being favored by the plant. In saying this, you might be wondering why I’m writing about a weed that is, for the most part, not found in South Gippsland. The answer - based on future climate modeling for Victoria, a very high potential exists for gorse to grow throughout the South Gippsland region (Department of Primary Industries 2008).

The old saying ‘prevention is better than a cure’ is highly relevant and should be exercised in dealing with gorse as with any other weed. Having worked in gorse infested areas north of Melbourne near Kilmore Victoria I know first hand the devastating impacts gorse can have. Left untreated it binds together to create an impenetrable mass that could take years or decades to eradicate. Decades may sound like I’m exaggerating but it’s the hard truth with plants living up to 30 years, producing an estimated 400million seeds/ha that can remain viable in the soil for at least 25 years. This information should therefore be seen as an opportunity to actively eradicate and manage gorse now in order to eliminate the high costs associated with managing established infestations. If you have gorse on your property and would like some advice on using best practice management methods or to obtain a free copy of the National Gorse Best Practice Manual please contact the South Gippsland Landcare Network by following the Contacts link on this web site.

Kate

Blackberry Control Field Days

2010-04-13T11:11:00.003+10:00

The South Gippsland Landcare Network in partnership with the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority and the Department of Primary Industries are hosting two Blackberry Control Field Days.

The field days are to be held on April 16th at the Poowong Football Club rooms and April 20th at the Foster Memorial Arts Centre between 10am – 2.00pm. The field days will host range of guest speakers and practical demonstrations on blackberry identification and integrated control methods including the use of a biological control agent, blackberry rust. For further information on these days or to RSVP contact the South Gippsland Landcare Network on SGLN: 5662 5759 or email: katew@wgcma.vic.gov.au

Blackberries

2010-04-12T13:58:00.002+10:00

With autumn in full swing, now is the time to tackle blackberries before they start to slow down on fruit production and curl up their toes for winter. There is also no better time than now to start planning for spring and beyond by developing a strategy to manage blackberry on your property.

During winter blackberries become dormant, loosing their leaves from cold conditions or frost, therefore spraying with herbicides that are absorbed through the plants leaves should stop. South Gippsland Landcare Network Project Officer, Kate Williams explains “During periods when physical or chemical control is not viable landholders can divert time into establishing a basic management plan tailored to their property taking into account limitations, resources and overall objectives. The primary aim of establishing a management plant is to identify the infestation and set realistic short and long term goals that can be monitored.”

Broom burns

2009-08-20T15:53:00.002+10:00

Cape Broom (Genista monspessulana) English Broom (Cytisus scoparius) Flax-Leaf Broom (Genista linifolia) Broom species are currently (August) in flower and can be easily identified this time of year infesting roadsides and bushland with their distinctive yellow pea flowers. It is highly flammable so thickets along roadsides and in native vegetation are an increasing fire hazard. By Christmas they form numerous hard seeds in pods and on a hot day pop the seeds out in their thousands. The seeds can last up to eighty years in soil. They are mainly spread through grading, slashing, water, and vehicle tyres. Broom can also be poisonous to stock. In South Gippsland these broom species are all classified noxious, regionally controlled which means it can not be sold or transported and landholders are expected to control and prevent its spread on their land. Brooms are native to scrub and open woodlands in the Mediterranean region, Europe, Portugal and the Azores. It was probably introduced to Australia as a garden or hedge plant and was widely planted last century. Once in infestation has taken hold it can potentially take up to twenty years to eliminate, so early detection is important. Small plants can be hand removed if the soil is soft enough, larger plants could be slashed before flowering and spray any re growth or foliar spray the whole plant with the registered chemical. Cut and paint with herbicide is also an option

Fennel

2009-08-11T15:19:00.000+10:00

Not many people would realize that fennel in Victoria is classified a restricted noxious weed meaning that it is illegal to sell or transport. It is a widespread weed of disturbed land, found along waterways, grasslands and woodlands. Dense infestations can eliminate most other ground flora and can impede regeneration of native species. Distinctive by its strong aniseed smell when young has a very ferny like appearance then it shoots up to clusters of tiny yellow flowers, then produces many seeds which are distributed by water and wind. When crowns are disturbed or dislodged and come in contact with the soil vegetative production can occur. Therefore slashing will spread it even further. To control fennel it can be dug out making sure to remove all of the taproot. Material should be disposed carefully. Plants can be treated with the cut and paint method or a selective herbicide.

Cape Ivy

2009-08-11T15:18:00.000+10:00

Delairea odorata. Origin South Africa. Cape Ivy has the ability to smother native vegetation making it a very serious threat to many ecosystems. Locally is happy to infest roadsides, along rivers and creeks being very effective at competing for light due to their ability to cover the canopy of the plant they are growing over such as tree ferns either killing the plant or causing it to break and collapse. Did you know? • It is a vigorous climber which strangles or smothers indigenous vegetation and creates harbor for foxes and rabbits. . • Once established, the spread of Cape Ivy is usually vegetative and by seed. • Cape Ivy can root from any stem parts that touch the soil. • It especially likes moist areas. • Cape Ivy was introduced as a garden plant and may be available from commercial nurseries. • Likely to be toxic to both people and animals. Best methods for control Start with vines growing up trees to prevent flowering and further spread by seed. Cut climbing stems with secateurs and leave to die in shrubs or trees. Gently hand pull or dig up stem runners. Follow the long runners to their source, carefully removing these and forking out main roots. Large Established Plants. Treat as for small plants except carefully dig out roots or stems on the ground, or Immediately paint with a suitable herbicide any cut stump that is to be left in the soil. For large infestations spray foliage with herbicide, but avoid spraying any native vegetation that the plant is climbing vegetation that the plant is climbing through. If using herbicide, paint/spray when plant is actively growing.

Spanish Heath

2009-08-11T15:17:00.000+10:00

Classification: Environmental weed. There is a large invasion of Erica species which originate in the Europe and Africa, many being potential weeds in Australia. Spanish Heath has become widespread in South Gippsland appearing along roadsides and infesting native vegetation. The Erica Baccans commonly sold in nurseries is also a potential weed for the southern regions being very similar to Spanish Heath. Driving round the local roads at this time of year Spanish heath is easy to spot with its white and pink very small tubular flowers. It is an erect shrub growing up to 2.5 metres. Key Points • Spanish heath produces numerous tiny seeds with a life span up to 4years and spreads by wind, vehicles and water and is highly flammable. • If the plants are burnt or broken they readily re grow from the lignotuber or butt. • Small plants can be hand pulled. Mature plants can be cut and painted with herbicide. • Other Erica species are invading native vegetation in southern Australia and species growing in gardens may become weeds in the future if allowed to escape. • Accurate weed identification is essential—weedy Erica species are sometimes confused with native heaths. Our local native Common Heath (Epacris impressa) is often mistaken for Spanish Heath • Apply control methods for Spanish heath to other weedy Erica species.

Saint John's Wort

2009-08-11T15:14:00.000+10:00

Saint John’s wort was introduced from Europe as a garden plant and for medicinal purposes in the 19th century; unfortunately because of its aggressive weedy characteristics it readily invades pastures, bushland and grasslands. In South Gippsland it can be seen along railway reserves and some pastures. It has become highly invasive in the east of the state. It has clusters of bright yellow 5 petal flowers, the leaves are small and dotted with oil glands and gives a perforated appearance when held up to the light. Flowers early spring through summer, becoming reddish-brown in late autumn-winter because of mature fruits and old stems. Up to 30000 seeds can be produced from each plant annually and can last for 12 years in the soil. It is spread mainly by wind, machinery slashing and contaminated fodder. Saint John’s wort contains the alkaloid hypericin, which causes photosensitisation in any mammals that ingest it, resulting in blisters on weakly pigmented parts of the skin. Small plants can be removed by hand as long as all plant and rhizomes are removed. Larger infestations can be controlled with appropriate herbicide. In South Gippsland Saint John’s wort is classified noxious, regionally controlled which means it can not be sold or transported and landholders are expected to control and prevent its spread on their land.

Gorse

2009-08-11T15:10:00.002+10:00

Classification noxious, regionally controlled. Gorse a weed of national significance was introduced to Australia during the early 1800s as a hedge and ornamental plant. In the Foster and Welshpool area where there is a fair bit of gorse around in the past has been planted and as the gold mine tailings have been moved to different areas seed has been spread infesting further a field. The annual cost of gorse management to agriculture and forest industries across Australia was estimated at 7 million in the year 2000. Living gorse is highly flammable, retains dead vegetation in its canopy, and contains flammable oils. Dense gorse patches increase the risk of wildfire and are a particular hazard near buildings, infrastructure and along fence lines. It invades and dominates bushland, pastures, forest plantations and spreads along roadways. Gorse produces yellow pea type flowers twice a year distributing its seed in the warmer months. A mature bush can have up to 40 thousand seeds in the soil around it per square metre. Seed is viable in the soil for up to 25 years. Gorse can be cut and painted with herbicide but can be difficult because of the sharp spines. Young seedlings are soft and can be pulled out. There are registered chemicals available but to assist the chemical uptake add a penetrant. Infestations normally have to be carefully monitored and retreated on an annual basis.

Water Lettuce

2009-05-25T11:26:00.000+10:00

Water lettuce Pistia stratiottes This is a water plant to be on the alert for in South Gippsland. Local landholders often have there dams invaded by various water weeds causing major problems with water quality and choked pipes and troughs. This plant not common as yet in this district has the potential with our changing climate, warming of farm dams and lack of frosts is set to become a serious weed. It declared noxious in the states to the north and west but not yet in Victoria. It is a free floating perennial aquatic herb, which consists of a dense rosette of overlapping leaves on a short stem with long feathery roots, reproducing vegetatively and by seed. The seeds float and can spread through waterways, and the main colony will also spread by the development of daughter plants. Water lettuce is commonly sold in nurseries and through the aquarium trade. Once established it will spread quickly take over the entire surface of freshwater lakes and dams, rivers and canals. The dense plant mass will reduce light penetration, oxygen concentration and pH levels in the water, thus destroying the habitat of fish and is a good shelter for mosquitoes. Control is difficult mainly by manual of mechanical removal. Chemical control is possible but not desirable.

Inkweed

2009-05-25T11:16:00.001+10:00

Ink-weed Phytolacca octandra This erect, herbaceous perennial from tropical America used to be a noxious weed in Victoria. It is still considered to be a troublesome weed. It infests bare soil areas and is spread by birds colonising large areas Ink-weed can grow up to 2 metres high and has brittle spreading branches. Red coloured stems which grow from a well developed tap root. It has smooth bright green leaves. Greenish white flowers occur close together on upright tapered spikes between August and November. The fruit are dark purple to black berries which exude a red-purple juice. This plant can turn up in gardens and bushland unnoticed and can dominate large areas inhibiting the growth of more desirable species. Ink-weed can be grubbed out being careful to get as much of the tap root as possible. It will also respond well to being sprayed with an appropriate herbicide. Brush Off can be effective.

Wild Teasel

2009-03-06T16:12:00.002+11:00

Wild Teasel (Dispacus fullonum) This noxious weed is not that common in South Gippsland the only sighting I have seen is in the Dumbalk area mainly on roadsides. It has the potential to invade pastures. It is an erect biennial herb to 2m high, reproducing by seed. Its stems and leaves are covered in prickles not unlike thistle. Has a very attractive purple or lilac flower in a cylindrical form. Seedlings emerge after autumn rains, or at other times following soil disturbance if moisture is adequate, and develop in to large rosettes by spring. Flowering stems are not produced until the second or even later years, the size of the plant has to be big enough. In each head, flowers open first in a ring around the middle of the head and as subsequent flowers open the ring moves up and down the head. Plants die in autumn and the dead stems remain standing for many months or even years. The Australian woollen industry imported teasel heads from England for many years, in the 1930’s was paying 15 shillings per 100 heads. The heads with its hooked floral bracts were used in the textile industry for carding and teasing wool and to raise the nap on woollen fabrics. The heads were either bound together into brushes and used by hand or were set into frames on a machine. Wild teasel can be grubbed out taking care to remove the tap root. It can be controlled with a selective herbicide.

Pasture Invaders

2009-02-27T10:05:00.004+11:00

There are a number of weeds that have recently been turning up in local pastures possibly coming in of the roadsides or imported hay. One of the obvious ones has been Paterson’s Curse which landholders have reported a number of sightings this year.

Not so well known weeds turning up is Sticky Bartsia (Parentucellia viscose) and its cousin Red Bartsia (Parentucellia latifolia), native from the Mediterranean region, are erect annual herbs partly parasitic on the roots and surrounding vegetation resulting in degraded pasture. Leaves are oppositely arranged, stalkless with coarsely toothed margins. The Red Bartsia is slender and hairy with red-purple flowers with narrow lips. The Sticky Bartsia is sticky and hairy with yellow flowers and broad lips. These plants mainly spread by a very fine seed carried by wind and water. These are spring to summer flowering liking moist sites in pastures. These weeds can be fairly invasive if left unattended and can be controlled with a selective herbicide. Other seasonal imports are Bathurst Burr, Saint Johns Wort, and Thornapple.

Bridal Creeper

2009-02-27T10:03:00.003+11:00

Stopping Bridal Creep! Bridal Creeper (Asparagus asparagoides) This creeper is a declared noxious weed (Restricted) across the state competes above ground with a smothering impenetrable web of stems and below ground with a thick mat of tubers. In the 1870’s this was a common garden plant and was popular for wedding bouquets’ and hanging baskets, and has since spread widely from gardens into bushland threatening native species Bridal creeper spreads by birds who love the sweet red berries produced late spring and also re shoots from rhizomes beneath the soil at or before the onset of autumn. Growth ceases in November to December and plants turn yellow and die back down to the rhizome. The plant survives below ground until the following autumn.

An undetected infestation of this weed can have a devastating effect on natural bushland, gardens, and farmland and can be very difficult to eliminate due to the underground rhizomes and tubers.

Control methods can include carefully digging removing tubers although this is very difficult once well established, spraying with an appropriate herbicide and biological control. Two methods of biological control available is the leafhopper and rust fungus. The introduction of the rust fungus has proven to be very effective completely defoliating infested sites.

Currently there is approximately five sites in the South Gippsland region where bridal creeper has been detected. Undoubtedly there will be sites that are undetected. South Gippsland Landcare, Friends groups and other concerned agencies are currently attempting to detect all sites in the region and will be undertaking large scale rust release program in cooperation with our shire neighbours this coming season. Anyone who suspects they have seen bridal creeper can you please ring me with a location or if you would like further information or identification.

Tree Tobacco

2009-02-27T10:02:00.003+11:00

Tree Tobacco (Solanum mauritianum). Recently a landholder asked me to identify a plant that when she came in contact it gave her a very nasty rash. On inspection it turned out to be the South American plant Tree Tobacco, a large shrub or small tree growing to 4m. Densely clothed with fine velvety hairs on branches, flower parts, stalks and under surface of leaves. It has very large leaves and small purple flowers All parts of the plant are poisoness but particularly the leaves and unripe green berries and has a smell like tar. This plant is highly poisonous to humans, cattle and pigs, and can possibly cause death if ingested.

Tree tobacco spreads by seed be carried by birds, water, possums and dumped garden waste. Has a high dumpage rate as the plant becomes shabby and loses its appeal. Easiest way to control is by cut and paint method but remember to avoid direct contact with all plant material.

Arum Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica)

Sometimes referred to as the funeral flower this plant can choke out waterways and wetlands. This perennial herb grows to 1.5 m tall and is evergreen. It is considered highly poisonous to all animals. In humans it is said to cause eczema. Australian hospital records indicate that these plants are a common and significant cause of child poisoning. It is mainly spread by rhizome and seed carried by birds, water, contaminated soil and dumped garden waste. Widely available in nurseries, garden centres and markets. Once established this is a very difficult plant to remove, there is a gel type herbicide available using the cut and paint method.

Boneseed

2009-02-27T10:01:00.002+11:00

Boneseed (Chrysanthemoides monilifera) This is another South African plant which is recognised as a Weed of national Significance in Australia. More common in East Gippsland it has been appearing on our local roadsides in South Gippsland in particular it has been observed along the Dumbalk Leongatha Rd. As we not have a lot of boneseed in this area we still have a chance to eliminate it if it is recognized. It is a very invasive weed that readily establishes on roadsides and bushland. Its success is due to its vigorous growth, aided by an absence of natural enemies and the ability to regenerate quickly and out compete other species after fire. The spread of boneseed threatens a number of significant rare or threatened species, such as the brittle greenhood orchid (Pterostylis truncata) in Victoria.

It is a woody shrub grows up to 3m tall reproduces by seed and is spread by slashing, garden waste disposal and birds.. Its flowers are bright yellow usually with 5 to 8 petals, its leaves are green, alternate on stems oval shaped and tapering at the base 2-8cm long with irregular serrations. To control cut and paint method can be used, for larger infestations there are registered herbicides available. Anyone who sites this weed can give me a ring for identification and assistance.

Weed Quote: Weeds don’t need to be cultivated they simply grow for the love of life.

Broom species

2009-02-27T09:59:00.001+11:00

Weed Talk: By Martin Chatfield Landcare Community Weed Officer Give Broom the clean sweep Cape Broom (Genista monspessulana) English Broom (Cytisus scoparius) Flax-Leaf Broom (Genista linifolia) These Broom species are all classified noxious weeds. All the above species are similar in nature by having yellow pea like flowers, appearing around August September. By Christmas they form numerous hard seeds in pods and on a hot day pop the seeds out in their thousands. The seeds can last up to eighty years in the ground. They are mainly spread through slashing, water, and vehicle tyres. Broom can also be poisonous to stock. Brooms are native to scrub and open woodlands in the Mediterranean region, Europe, Portugal and the Azores. It was probably introduced to Australia as a garden or hedge plant and was widely planted last century. In Victoria, broom infestations occur mainly on grazing lands, roadsides, dry sclerophyll and damp forests and woodlands of southern, central and north-eastern regions. Once in infestation has taken hold it can potentially take up to twenty years to eliminate, so early detection is important. Small plants can be hand removed if the soil is soft enough, larger plants could be slashed before flowering and spray any re growth or foliar spray the whole plant with the registered chemical. Cut and paint with herbicide is also an option.

Pampas Grass

2009-02-27T09:53:00.004+11:00

Weed Talk: By Martin Chatfield Landcare Community Weed Officer Pampas Grass( Cortaderia selloana) Pampas grass is a widespread environmental weed common in South Gippsland having been planted as an ornamental, for fodder, windbreaks and to stabilise soil. It is highly invasive , particularly in forest areas, roadsides and wetlands. It is a very aggressive coloniser, particularly on disturbed open sites. They form dense stands that exclude most other ground flora and impede overstorey recruitment. Individual flowers heads contain up to 100,000 seeds with viability exceeding 75%. Wind may disperse seed for several kilometres. Roots grow up to a depth of 3m with a spread of 4m helping established plants to tolerate extended dry spells. The large volume of dried leaf matter on and around tussocks dramatically increases fuel loads within infested areas increasing fire risk. Interestingly until the 1970s Pampas grasses in Australia consisted of low fertility strains or female plants and did not tend to have the weedy characteristics they have today, the reason they are these days during the 1970-80s large volume of seeds were imported that included higher fertility strains and male and bi-sexual plants, with the consequence that plants are know freely reproducing and spreading by seed. To control smaller plants can be dug out, all rhizome material should be removed. Where plants can not be treated immediately spread can be limited by removing emerging flower stems, cutting them at the base usually prevents them from redeveloping. Alternatively cut off maturing seed heads and placing in bags then bury or burn off site. Plants can also be sprayed with Glysophate.

Environmental Vandals

2009-02-27T09:53:00.003+11:00

Weed Talk: By Martin Chatfield Landcare Community Weed Officer Environmental Vandal Bluebell Creeper (Sollya heterophylla) This is another one of those West Australian native invaders over enthusiastically populating our bushland and gardens. It is an evergreen woody based twining climber with attractive blue flowers. In Victoria it is classified as an environmental weed. Plants smothers ground-flora and small shrubs, overtops low growing vegetation. It is hardy and adaptable, tolerating moderate frosts, partial shade or full sun and extended seasonal dry periods. While preferring lighter soils, plants will establish in heavier soils provided drainage is good. Birds are the main cause of spread by dispersing the fruit from near by gardens. In Victorian coastal woodlands thousand of seedlings emerge following fires or soil disturbance. This has become a popular widely used ornamental plant over the last 30 years available in nurseries, and is in danger of becoming more wide spread due to its disguise as a local native plant. To remove Bluebell Creeper it can be hand pulled to prevent regrowth ensure all roots are removed. Plants can be cut and painted with glysophate in spring or early summer letting the above canopy to die back. Where plants can not be treated immediately, seedlings can be prevented by severing vines at the base in spring and early summer before the fruit develops, as regrowth occurs undertake follow up control. Early detection is desirable and control to prevent further spread. Be aware of what you by at nurseries and markets it could be your next garden nightmare.

Cape Ivy

2009-02-27T09:52:00.002+11:00

Weed Talk: By Martin Chatfield Landcare Community Weed Officer Cape Ivy. Delairea odorata. Origin South Africa. Cape Ivy is not called odorata for nothing; it is currently in flower and is quite fragrant. Did you know? • Cape Ivy is an invasive plant and a very serious threat to indigenous vegetation. • It is a vigorous climber which strangles or smothers indigenous vegetation and creates harbor for foxes and rabbits. . • Once established, the spread of Cape Ivy is usually vegetative and by seed. • Cape Ivy can root from any stem parts that touch the soil. • It especially likes moist areas. • Cape Ivy was introduced as a garden plant and may be available from commercial nurseries. • Likely to be toxic to both people and animals. Best methods for control Start with vines growing up trees to prevent flowering and further spread by seed. Cut climbing stems with secateurs and leave to die in shrubs or trees. Gently hand pull or dig up stem runners. Follow the long runners to their source, carefully removing these and forking out main roots. Large Established Plants. Treat as for small plants except carefully dig out roots or stems on the ground, or Immediately paint with a suitable herbicide any cut stump that is to be left in the soil. For large infestations spray foliage with herbicide, but avoid spraying any native vegetation that the plant is climbing vegetation that the plant is climbing through. If using herbicide, paint/spray when plant is actively growing. For further information on Cape Ivy control or any other weeds ring, .

Ox-Eye Daisy

2009-02-27T09:48:00.002+11:00

Weed Talk: By Martin Chatfield Landcare Community Weed Officer Ox-eye Daisy. An erect perennial herb to 1 m high with distinctive white daisy flowers with a yellow centre. It spreads by seed and extensive creeping roots producing new aerial growth annually, germinates in autumn, young plants develop slowly through winter and spring and do not flower the first year. During this time the extensive root system is developed. The flowers are formed in late spring and early summer after which the aerial growth dies back. Ox-eye daisy grows so densely that it excludes almost all other vegetation. It is not readily grazed by stock so carrying capacity of infested areas is reduced, and the weeds chance of survival is enhanced. If eaten by stock it imparts a disagreeable taste to milk. This plant was introduced in to Australia probably as a garden plant around 1850, more suited to English meadows. It is a noxious weed in South Gippsland, growing well in poor or heavy damp soils. If you would like to see this plant in all its glory, have a look at the top of Foster hill around Ogrady’s Ridge rd and see lots of white daisy type flowers in bloom. Seed is small and is spread by mud, water, agricultural produce, animals and vehicles especially graders and slashing. Management can be by cultivation and maintaining good pasture or by using selective herbicides in the early flowering stage. Early detection is desirable and control to prevent further spread. For more detailed information on weeds and their control go to .

Gorse

2009-02-27T09:46:00.001+11:00

Weed Talk: By Martin Chatfield Landcare Community Weed Officer Gorse-Furze (Ulex europaeus) Classification noxious, regionally controlled. Gorse was introduced to Australia during the early 1800s as a hedge and ornamental plant. In Foster area where there is a fait bit of gorse around, it had been planted as hedges and as the gold mine tailings have been moved to different areas seed has been spread infesting further a field. The annual cost of gorse management to agriculture and forest industries across Australia was estimated at 7 million in the year 2000. Living gorse is highly flammable, retains dead vegetation in its canopy, and contains flammable oils. Dense gorse patches increase the risk of wildfire and are a particular hazard near buildings, infrastructure and along fence lines. It invades and dominates bushland, pastures, forest plantations and spreads along roadways. Gorse produces yellow pea type flowers twice a year distributing its seed in the warmer months. A mature bush can have up to 40 thousand seeds in the soil around it per square metre. Seed is viable in the soil for up to 25 years. Gorse can be cut and painted with herbicide but can be difficult because of the sharp spines. Young seedlings are soft and can be pulled out. There are registered chemicals available but to assist the chemical uptake add a penetrant. Landcare, Department of Primary Industries, and Parks Victoria have had and continue active programs locally to keep this pest in check. .

Poisonous Plants

2009-02-27T09:44:00.002+11:00

Weed Talk: By Martin Chatfield Landcare Community Weed Officer. WOSPA (weeds of significant poisonous attributes) Hemlock (conium maculatum) Classification: noxious, regionally controlled. Hemlock contains five toxic alkaloids which vary in concentration due to climatic conditions. The fruit, vegetative parts and roots are all poisonous to humans and stock. The Greek philosopher Socrates is said to have been executed with hemlock. In Victoria a child died from hemlock poisoning in 1994. Handling the plant can cause dermatitis in some people. This weed is often mistaken for carrot weed emerging in autumn with its leaves deeply divided with a ferny appearance; masses of small white flowers develop in late spring -early summer and then it dies back. Hemlock will colonise areas of bare ground in pastures and bushland and prevent the growth of more desirable species. Small infestations can be hand pulled but heavy rubber gloves should be worn. Larger areas can be foliar sprayed with the specified registered chemical. Caper Spurge (Euphorbia lathyris) Classification: environmental weed. This nasty plant has a milky-like sap is heavy in alkaloids and can cause irritation and swelling to the human body, particularly sensitive areas such as the eyes. It has also been associated with stock poisoning. The juvenile plant has a stout erect stem with leaves opposite with a bluish-green colour. A white line runs the lengths of the leaf. When the plant matures it takes on a bush form. I have often seen this plant being sold at markets. Grubbing or pulling out plant is effective once again wear rubber type gloves and avoid skin contact with the white sap. . . .

Australian Native Weeds

2009-02-27T09:34:00.002+11:00

Weed Talk: By Martin Chatfield Landcare Community Weed Officer. Australian Native Weeds. Sweet pittosporum (Pittosporum undulatum) is one of an increasing number of native species acting as an environmental weed in habitats outside its natural ecological range. Prior to European settlement the distribution of Sweet Pittosporum was believed to encompass a range of habitats including wet and dry forests environments, riparian and coastal areas along the eastern seaboard of south-east Australia The seeds are mostly spread by birds, brush tail possums foxes and black rats. You will often see bird poo haloes around the base of other trees and as Sweet pittosporum is happy to grow in the shade they can then dominate the area causing other native species to die back (allelopathic effect) and becoming a mono culture. Control measures for this plant need to be implemented otherwise a serious decline in indigenous species will result on invaded areas. Some methods are manually pull out small seedlings, cut and paint, drill and fill, or basal bark spraying with appropriate herbicides. Cape wattle (Paraserianthes lophantha) is a West Australian native which spreads along roadways and bushland. This is a rapid growing evergreen tree producing thousands of long lived seeds with buried seeds viable for many years. It is often mistaken for local native silver and black wattles. Cut and paint method is the easiest way to control this pest. . . . Anyone who would like further information or would like me to visit your property to talk weeds and their control can ring me on 56 821934 or mobile 0428317928.

Roadside Weeds

2009-02-26T08:59:00.002+11:00

To date weeds on South Gippsland Shire roadsides are still the responsibility of the adjacent landholder. This does not include Vic Roads.

Inaction on thistles costs money

2009-02-11T10:42:00.004+11:00

Spear Thistle Cirsium vulgare. A large spear thistle rosette covers about one-third of a square metre, and because it is not readily grazed by stock, the carrying capacity of paddocks with dense patches of thistle is reduced considerably. In a survey carried out in a New Zealand study where for every additional thistle per square metre in pasture there was a decrease of 1.68 kg in the live weight gain of sheep. In addition to direct competition, the spiny nature of the thistle also deters animals from grazing pasture in the vicinity and patches may become so dense that that are impenetrable to stock. Another disadvantage is that contaminated hay is downgraded in quality and price. Sheep grazing encourages spear thistle by reducing competition from neighbouring plants. This is reflected in increased thistle growth, flowering and seed production on heavily grazed pastures. In contrast, thistles are usually sparse on ungrazed sites. This weed readily establishes in high fertile soils which is bare of vegetation at the end of summer. Local landholders recently have expressed great concern about the amount of thistles on some neighbouring properties, landholders are reminded that it is an offence under the CALP act not to control and eliminate this weed. Isolated patches can be grubbed out but most of the root system should be removed. Target the rosette stage with a selective herbicide; ensure there is competition from other plants that can replace the weed. Follow up your work and be persistent in implementing a long term management plan.

Controlling Ragwort

2009-01-28T17:17:00.000+11:00

Driving around South Gippsland one can see many ragwort infestations large and small along roadsides and properties. It is most important that these plants are prevented from seeding setting another 10 years worth of infestation in to the district.

Blackberry and ragwort are the responsibility of adjacent landholders on all shire roadsides and on private land owners are expected to prevent the growth and spread to neighbours. The complaints about neighbours has started to escalate over the last few weeks. Once ragwort has flowered you do not have long left before it goes to seed. It can be foliar sprayed with herbicide at the flowering stage but once the flower heads start to brown it is better to cut of the heads put in a black plastic bag and leave in the sun to solarise and then spray the rest of the plant. If slashed or pulled ragwort will still seed and grow from root fragments. It is possible to use aerial application on steep hard to get to areas. Experience has demonstrated that tackling the ragwort problem occasionally or intermittently will not achieve long term control. Ragwort’s capacity to reinfest requires control programs to be well planned and sustained over a number of years. Landholders undertaking a high level of on-going control can expect excellent results.

In recent years considerable work has been put into the formation of Ragwort Control Groups and Landcare Groups enabling landholders to work together to help each other clean up their respective properties. It is up to the whole community to work together to keep this noxious weed under control, not to do so will result in loss of productive land and increased disputes between landholders.

Tree Weeds

2009-01-14T10:48:00.000+11:00

Over the last 150 years or so many exotic trees have been imported into Australia only to discover many have weed type characteristics spreading out of there original placement out into the landscape by fruit and seeds eaten by birds, foxes, also spread by wind and water. Examples are hawthorn, wild cherry, willow species, box elder, desert ash, cape wattle, pine and tree tobacco. Problems occurring:`

They take up lots of physical space
They can create impregnable barriers of thickets
They have a large area of soil occupied by roots
They sometimes send up suckers a long way from the parent plant even have the original tree has been removed. A good example here would be Elm trees
They alter the microclimate
They may alter the soil chemistry
Willows clog up waterways

Weedy trees favour the growth of other weeds beneath their canopies. They provide additional perching and roosting places for birds from which weed seeds are deposited in droppings. ‘Bird poo haloes’ containing numerous bird dispersed weeds such as boxthorn, bridal creeper sweet pittosporum and blackberry.
Weed trees can be removed by cutting down as close to the base as possible and pasting glysophate herbicide on the cut stump surface. This must be done with 10 to 30 seconds of the cut being made otherwise the stump will seal it self and chemical will not penetrate. The tree should not be under stress; normally spring to early summer gives best results.