Wild Teasel

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

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

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

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.