FIREWEED

A noxious weed with 13 petals on its daisy- like flowers is advancing north from New South Wales into parts of the Moreton Bay Region.

Moreton Bay Regional Council’s Division 11 councillor, Bob Millar, said Fireweed was poisonous to cattle and has urged people living in rural communities to be vigilant and destroy it.
“Fireweed is an invasive introduced pest which competes aggressively with many types of pasture,” Cr Millar said
“It can make cattle ill and is fatal in some cases, which is why stopping fireweed in its tracks is so important.
“There are isolated infestations of this dangerous weed around the Samford area and it has also been identified around Caboolture and parts of the Sunshine Coast,”
Cr Millar said depending on growing conditions fireweed can be between 20 cm and 50 cm tall with smaller plants tending to have narrow leaves and very few flowers.
“With the right conditions fireweed can be almost bush-like, sporting long wide leaves and up to 100 bright yellow daisy-like flowers about two cm wide,” he said.
“The flowers have a single row of 13 petals and are capable of producing up to 100 seeds.
“Seeds are light and can be easily carried by the wind, that’s why fireweed is so invasive.
“If you find it on your property, don’t hesitate, stamp it out.”
Herbicides are available to manage fireweed and can also be controlled with certain types of fireweed resistant pasture.
More information on Fireweed can be found at: www.dpi.qld.gov.au  or contact Moreton Bay Regional Council on 3205 0555.