WEEDS OF MAGNETIC ISLAND
Across Australia, weeds displace native species, damage and destroy habitat, and contribute significantly to land degradation. Weeds spread rapidly into disturbed areas and can contribute to soil disturbance, loss of native plant cover, and changed burning patterns. They also thrive where fertilizers and other wastes are washed into bushland, leaving extra nutrients in the soil.
Of the ten new weeds recorded in Australia each year, two thirds are escaped garden plants.
Some weeds are so damaging to the environment that they have been declared ‘Weeds of National Significance (WONS). WONS on Magnetic Island are Rubber Vine (Cryptostegia grandiflora) and Lantana (Lantana camara).
Apart from these, on Magnetic Island some of the worst weeds are:
Of the ten new weeds recorded in Australia each year, two thirds are escaped garden plants.
Some weeds are so damaging to the environment that they have been declared ‘Weeds of National Significance (WONS). WONS on Magnetic Island are Rubber Vine (Cryptostegia grandiflora) and Lantana (Lantana camara).
Apart from these, on Magnetic Island some of the worst weeds are:
OUR WORST WEEDS
Mother-in-law's tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata)
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Mother of Millions (Bryophyllum delagoense)
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Periwinkle (pink and white)(Catharanthus species)
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Snakeweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis)
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Hyptus suaveolens (Vilayti Tulsi)
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LARGE, WOODY OR SUCCULENT WEEDS
The large, woody or succulent weeds depicted below often need special treatment - such as, cut-stumping, or basal barking. If you aren't sure how to remove these species or would like further information on environmental weed control, call TCC's Integrated Sustainability Services on 07 4727 9310.
Lanata (Lantana camara)
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Leacaena (Leucaena leucocephala)
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Castor Oil (Ricinus communis)
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Tecoma (Tecoma stans)
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WEEDS IN WAITING
MOSES IN A CRADLE
Is Moses In A Cradle (Rhoeo spatheacea) a ‘weed in waiting’? A currently fashionable garden planting, this plant has taken over hectares of land in Tonga. Drought hardy, and an incredibly fast reproducer, could this plant 'get away' and cause havoc in our National Park?
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GUINEA GRASS
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Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) is possibly the most widespread and common weed on Magnetic Island, taking over entire cleared blocks and requiring regular slashing.
Along roadsides, it can cause a barrier, preventing wildlife from fleeing on-coming vehicles or predators. The best approach is to pull out clumps of guinea grass. Moistening the soil first will help. Disturb the soil as little as possible. Shake soil from roots. Use the grass as mulch around trees, making sure that the roots are not in contact with the soil. Regular slashing, mowing or brush cutting may discourage string growth. Chemical weed control is also possible. |
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THE DEFINITIVE MAGNETIC ISLAND WEEDS GUIDE
This publication was produced as part of a Magnetic Island National Park Volunteers project funded by NQ Dry Tropics. It was prepared in collaboration with MINCA, MICDA, Arcadia Coastcare (previously Geoffrey Bay/Olympus Crescent Coastcare) and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.
Download the 2018 edition of the Magnetic Island Weeds Guide For further information on weeds check out www.weeds.gov.au or www.weeds.org.au or JCU's Discover Nature site |
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