Environment Matters - August/Winter 2022

Green space invaders They come in many shapes and sizes – from dainty flowers to towering trees. But they are all invasive weeds with the potential to severely damage our natural environment.

We all have a ‘General Biosecurity Obligation’ under the Biosecurity Act so it’s important to be informed about these environmental invaders. Here are some of the top weeds causing environmental harm in Ipswich.

Lantana ( Lantana camara ) This tangled thorny bush and its bright flower heads are a common sight across Ipswich. It forms dense thickets that smother native ecosystems and can increase the intensity of bushfire.

Cats claw creeper ( Dolichandra unguis-cati )

Glycine ( Neonotonia wightii ) Dark green leaves split into three leaflets, and hairy brown seed pods are this vine’s most defining features. It can infest extensive areas smothering grasses and understorey plants.

The fine claw-like hooks and large yellow flowers are a sure sign you’re dealing with this menace. It climbs over trees and shrubs, smothering everything in its path.

Fireweed ( Senecio madagascariensis ) It’s a daisy-like flower from Madagascar that is toxic to livestock and spreads rapidly in pastures. One trick to help identify it is counting the petals – fireweed usually has 13.

Chinese Elm ( Celtis sinensis ) It’s a large shade tree that is fast- growing. By its nature it can quickly form dense infestations along creek banks and prevent native species from growing.

Prickly pear ( Opuntia spp. ) If it looks like a cactus it’s not welcome in our environment. Many prickly pear species can resprout from a fragment of the stem, as well as other methods such as seeds and underground tubers.

A guide to identifying and removing more than 100 of the worst invasive weeds in Ipswich is now available at the Queens Park Environmental Education Centre.

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