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Weed identification

What is a weed? Why do weeds matter? Environmental Weeds? Identify your weeds?

What is a weed?

To a gardener, a farmer or a botanist, a weed may mean different things, but broadly it is a plant growing outside its natural environment and having some sort of adverse impact. The majority of weeds have come from overseas but some Australian native plants may also become weedy outside their natural range.

Whatever a plant’s origin, they spread ‘like weeds’ when they arrive in a favourable environment, often because they have left their natural pests behind.

Why do weeds matter?

The huge financial cost to agriculture of weeds and weed control is well known but the impact of weeds on natural vegetation has only recently been widely recognised. Weed invasion is one of the greatest threats to some types of native vegetation, particularly when that vegetation is close to towns and agricultural land.

Weeds may come to dominate an environment, preventing regeneration of native vegetation, impacting on areas set aside for conservation and reducing native animal and bird habitat. They can increase fuel loads, making areas more fire-prone, and can even change the soil so that native plants can no longer survive there.

Environmental Weeds

Environmental weeds are plants that invade native vegetation and may replace native plants and cause loss of habitat for native animals. Some environmental weeds are included in the Regional Plan because of their risk rating, but most have not and there is no obligation to control them.

Some native plants may behave in a weedy manner because of changes to land management such as clearing of forest or changes in frequency of burning.

Many garden plants are ideally suited to becoming ‘garden escapees’ threatening the environment, having been selected for their ease of growing, spectacular flowers, fruit or nuts and hardiness. Plants such as Polygala and Arum lillies fit this category.

It is important to understand that an environmental weed may cause as much or more harm to the environment as priority weeds so if you have doubt about a plant contact Council.

Controlling weeds in the Bega Valley Shire

St Johns Wort

St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a perennial herb with small pale green leaves and yellow flowers. If the leaves are held up to the light, tiny clear oil dots can be seen. Commonly known for its medicinal qualities, this invasive species not only invades native areas, it can also cause various animal health problems, including photosensitisation in horses, cattle, sheep and goats. Spring is the time to look out for and undertake any necessary controls, as it will soon be in flower. For more information or advice regarding controls, please see the below video

 

Priority weeds

 

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