List of common weeds of Queensland

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There are a number of commonly occurring weeds or invasive plant species in Queensland, Australia. These plants typically produce large numbers of seeds, often excellent at surviving and reproducing in disturbed environments and are commonly the first species to colonise and dominate in these conditions. Weeds may reduce native biodiversity, affect agricultural productivity, the environment, human health and amenity.

Contents

Common weeds

Some of the more common weeds of Queensland are listed below. Weeds that are not yet common or established but pose a significant threat are identified by an asterisk. Weeds that are identified as Weeds of National Significance are noted as "WoNS".

Common NameScientific NameOriginDescriptionSignif- icancePrimary DistributionImageRef.
African tulip tree Spathodea campanulatatropical AfricaFast growing, highly invasive, evergreen tree forming dense stands in gullies and streams, crowding out native vegetationClass 3SE Qld and gardens Flower & leaves I IMG 2799.jpg [1]
Alligator Weed* Alternanthera philoxeroidesSouth AmericaGrows on land in damp soil, or in water as dense floating matsClass 1 WoNSPotential to establish in all Queensland coastal areas and inland agricultural and urban areas Alternanthera philoxeroides NRCS-1.jpg [2]
Camphor laurel Cinnamomum camphoraAsiaLarge attractive shade tree, aggressively replaces native vegetationClass 3Gardens throughout Qld Cinnamomum camphora - Botanic Gardens.jpg [3]
Fireweed Senecio madagascariensisMadagascar, Southern AfricaDaisy-like herb with bright yellow flowers, competes with pasture speciesClass 2New South Wales coast and north to Brisbane Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) in a Central Queensland (Australia) paddock.jpg [4]
Lantana Lantana camaraCentral, South AmericaHeavily branched shrub that can grow as compact clumps, dense thickets and as scrambling and climbing vines that smother native vegetationClass 3 WoNSMost coastal and sub-coastal areas of eastern Australia Lantana berries.jpg [5]
Mesquite Prosopis spp.North, South AmericaSpread significantly in Queensland, may form dense impenetrable thickets, aggressive competitor and drought tolerantClass 1 WoNSWestern Qld Mesquite1.jpg [6]
Mother of millions Bryophyllum spp.MadagascarSucculent type plant well adapted to dry areas, highly toxic to stock, forms masses of embryoids (plantlets), hard to eradicateClass 2Ornamental garden plant, Central Highlands, Burnett Blutenstamm einer Bryophyllum.jpg [7]
Ochna (aka Mickey Mouse plant) Ochna serrulata AfricaOrnamental species, easily dispersed to new areas by birds eating the fruitsn/aWidely planted in gardens Ochna serrulata2.jpg [8]
Parkinsonia Parkinsonia aculeatatropical AmericaIntroduced ornamental small shade tree, seeds float, forms dense, thorny thickets along watercoursesClass 2 WoNSinland Qld Starr 010209-0260 Parkinsonia aculeata.jpg [9]
Parthenium Parthenium hysterophorustropical AmericaVigorous coloniser of weak pastures, disturbed areas, brigalow, gidgee and softwood scrub soils. Linked to health allergiesClass 2 WoNSpredominantly Central Qld Starr 050423-6650 Parthenium hysterophorus.jpg [10]
Prickly pear Opuntia spp.AmericasSpiky cactus, drought resistant, widespread infestation in early 20th century but reduced through biological controlClass 2Central, Southern Qld Prickly pear cactus beed.jpg [11]
Willow Salix spp.Northern hemispherePopular garden ornamentals, but invasive in waterways with aggressive root systemsClass 1 WoNSCooler parts of Qld Weeping Willow.jpg [12]

See also

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<i>Cirsium vulgare</i> Species of flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae

Cirsium vulgare, the spear thistle, bull thistle, or common thistle, is a species of the Asteraceae genus Cirsium, native throughout most of Europe, Western Asia, and northwestern Africa. It is also naturalised in North America, Africa, and Australia and is an invasive weed in some areas. It is the national flower of Scotland.

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<i>Parkinsonia aculeata</i> Species of legume

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<i>Annona glabra</i> Tropical fruit tree

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<i>Miconia crenata</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Cucumis myriocarpus</i> Berry and plant

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<i>Mimosa pigra</i> Species of plant

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Noxious weed Harmful or invasive weed

A noxious weed, harmful weed or injurious weed is a weed that has been designated by an agricultural or other governing authority as a plant that is injurious to agricultural or horticultural crops, natural habitats or ecosystems, or humans or livestock. Most noxious weeds have been introduced into an ecosystem by ignorance, mismanagement, or accident. Some noxious weeds are native. Typically they are plants that grow aggressively, multiply quickly without natural controls, and display adverse effects through contact or ingestion. Noxious weeds are a large problem in many parts of the world, greatly affecting areas of agriculture, forest management, nature reserves, parks and other open space.

<i>Asparagus setaceus</i> Species of plant

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<i>Sonchus oleraceus</i> Species of flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae

Sonchus oleraceus is a species of flowering plant in the dandelion tribe Cichorieae of the daisy family Asteraceae, native to Europe and Western Asia. It has many common names including common sowthistle, sow thistle, smooth sow thistle, annual sow thistle, hare's colwort, hare's thistle, milky tassel, milk thistle. and soft thistle.

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<i>Macroptilium atropurpureum</i> Species of legume

Macroptilium atropurpureum, commonly referred to as purple bush-bean, or siratro is a perennial legume recognized by its climbing, dense, green vines and deep purple flowers. The plant is indigenous to the tropical and subtropical regions of North, Central, and South America, as far north as Texas in the USA and as far south as Peru and Brazil. It has been introduced for use as a food for stock to many tropical regions around the world. It has become an invasive pest plant in a number of areas, including the north-eastern coast of Australia. Rich in protein, M. atropurpureum is commonly used for cattle pastures intercropped with grass, used in hay, or as a ground cover to prevent soil erosion and to improve soil quality.

Weed Plant considered undesirable in a particular place or situation

A weed is a plant considered undesirable in a particular situation, "a plant in the wrong place". Examples commonly are plants unwanted in human-controlled settings, such as farm fields, gardens, lawns, and parks. Taxonomically, the term "weed" has no botanical significance, because a plant that is a weed in one context is not a weed when growing in a situation where it is wanted. In the same way, volunteer crops (plants) are regarded as weeds in a subsequent crop. The term weed is also applied to any plant that grows or reproduces aggressively, or is invasive outside its native habitat.

Boneseed and closely related Bitou Bush are two subspecies of Chrysanthemoides monilifera, an invasive species in Australia

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<i>Arctotheca populifolia</i> Species of plant

Arctotheca populifolia is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common names beach daisy, Cape beach daisy, South African beach daisy, coast capeweed, dune arctotheca, beach pumpkin, sea pumpkin, dune cabbage, and in South Africa, seepampoen, tonteldoek, and strandgousblom. This species is native to South Africa. It was introduced to Australia and is now a common weed of coastal areas in New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia.

References

  1. Qld Dept of Primary Industries & Fisheries - African tulip tree Archived 2007-08-31 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Qld Dept of Primary Industries & Fisheries - Alligator Weed
  3. Qld Dept of Primary Industries & Fisheries - Camphor laurel Archived 2007-08-31 at the Wayback Machine
  4. Qld Dept of Primary Industries & Fisheries - Fireweed
  5. Qld Dept of Primary Industries & Fisheries - Lantana
  6. Qld Dept of Primary Industries & Fisheries - Mesquite
  7. Qld Dept of Primary Industries & Fisheries - Mother of millions
  8. Qld Dept of Primary Industries & Fisheries - Ochna or mickey mouse plant Archived 2007-10-09 at the Wayback Machine
  9. Qld Dept of Primary Industries & Fisheries - Parkinsonia
  10. Qld Dept of Primary Industries & Fisheries - Parthenium
  11. Qld Dept of Primary Industries & Fisheries - Prickly pear
  12. Qld Dept of Primary Industries & Fisheries - Willow Archived 2007-11-02 at the Wayback Machine

Further reading