April 2010 . . In the ring against a prolific pest
Biosecurity Queensland is warning about the risk of a comeback of a weed that has historically been a major problem for the southeast corner.
Introduced in 1900 as an ornamental plant for the Brisbane region, it spread along the coastal areas of southeast Queensland and down the New South Wales coast, with scattered plants occurring as far west as Chinchilla.
Senior biosecurity officer Clyde McGaw said groundsel bush had its ‘gloves on’ and was ready to bloom, but was coming up against tough opposition.
“Autumn is the season for groundsel bush and we need to keep it at low levels so it does not become the problem it used to be,” he said.
“The spread of the weed still threatens the sustainability of agriculture and other land uses.
“It competes with pasture species for water and nutrients, replaces plants and destroys habitat for native wildlife.
“Local councils and community members have invested much time and money in keeping this weed at bay and we intend to ensure it stays this way.”
Groundsel bush (Baccharis halimifolia) is a native of Florida and coastal areas of the Gulf of Mexico. Now, as a southeast Queensland resident, it enjoys disturbed areas.
Mr McGaw said the weed was particularly problematic for urban areas, such as Brisbane.
“The wind-dispersed seed can be a nuisance in urban areas where it sticks to insect screens and germinates in home gardens,” he said.
“Urban problems include potential allergies caused by air-borne pollen and the air-borne seed ‘fluff’.
“The 2m-tall plants have white and yellow inconspicuous flowers at the end of its branches. They produce from half to one million seeds which drift in the breeze like thistle seeds, most falling within a few metres of the parent bush.
“It can be transported by wind, running water, vehicles and machinery.
“The rapid spread also makes clearing groundsel bush from paddocks a very time-consuming and expensive task.”
Mr McGaw said as a Class-2 weed, it was the landholder’s responsibility to control groundsel bush.
“From time to time, councils may issue notices to control the weed, and landholder’s should be as prepared as possible,” he said.
“There are several herbicides registered for its use, and landholders can also contact their local council weeds officer for control advice.”
For more information on declared weeds in Queensland, contact the Business Information Centre on 13 25 23 or visit www.deedi.qld.gov.au and click on ‘Biosecurity’ in the ‘Protecting Queensland’ box.
Senior biosecurity officer Clyde McGaw said groundsel bush had its ‘gloves on’ and was ready to bloom, but was coming up against tough opposition.
“Autumn is the season for groundsel bush and we need to keep it at low levels so it does not become the problem it used to be,” he said.
“The spread of the weed still threatens the sustainability of agriculture and other land uses.
“It competes with pasture species for water and nutrients, replaces plants and destroys habitat for native wildlife.
“Local councils and community members have invested much time and money in keeping this weed at bay and we intend to ensure it stays this way.”
Groundsel bush (Baccharis halimifolia) is a native of Florida and coastal areas of the Gulf of Mexico. Now, as a southeast Queensland resident, it enjoys disturbed areas.
Mr McGaw said the weed was particularly problematic for urban areas, such as Brisbane.
“The wind-dispersed seed can be a nuisance in urban areas where it sticks to insect screens and germinates in home gardens,” he said.
“Urban problems include potential allergies caused by air-borne pollen and the air-borne seed ‘fluff’.
“The 2m-tall plants have white and yellow inconspicuous flowers at the end of its branches. They produce from half to one million seeds which drift in the breeze like thistle seeds, most falling within a few metres of the parent bush.
“It can be transported by wind, running water, vehicles and machinery.
“The rapid spread also makes clearing groundsel bush from paddocks a very time-consuming and expensive task.”
Mr McGaw said as a Class-2 weed, it was the landholder’s responsibility to control groundsel bush.
“From time to time, councils may issue notices to control the weed, and landholder’s should be as prepared as possible,” he said.
“There are several herbicides registered for its use, and landholders can also contact their local council weeds officer for control advice.”
For more information on declared weeds in Queensland, contact the Business Information Centre on 13 25 23 or visit www.deedi.qld.gov.au and click on ‘Biosecurity’ in the ‘Protecting Queensland’ box.
