List of common weeds of Queensland

There are a number of commonly occurring weeds or invasive plant species in Queensland, Australia. These plants typically produce large numbers of seeds, often excellent at surviving and reproducing in disturbed environments and are commonly the first species to colonise and dominate in these conditions. Weeds may reduce native biodiversity, affect agricultural productivity, the environment, human health and amenity.

Common weeds

Some of the more common weeds of Queensland are listed below. Weeds that are not yet common or established but pose a significant threat are identified by an asterisk. Weeds that are identified as Weeds of National Significance are noted as "WoNS".

Common Name Scientific Name Origin Description Signif- icance Primary Distribution Image Ref.
African tulip tree Spathodea campanulatatropical AfricaFast growing, highly invasive, evergreen tree forming dense stands in gullies and streams, crowding out native vegetationClass 3SE Qld and gardens[1]
Alligator Weed* Alternanthera philoxeroidesSouth AmericaGrows on land in damp soil, or in water as dense floating matsClass 1 WoNSPotential to establish in all Queensland coastal areas and inland agricultural and urban areas[2]
Camphor laurel Cinnamomum camphoraAsiaLarge attractive shade tree, aggressively replaces native vegetationClass 3Gardens throughout Qld[3]
Fireweed Senecio madagascariensisMadagascar, Southern AfricaDaisy-like herb with bright yellow flowers, competes with pasture speciesClass 2New South Wales coast and north to Brisbane[4]
Lantana Lantana camaraCentral, South AmericaHeavily branched shrub that can grow as compact clumps, dense thickets and as scrambling and climbing vines that smother native vegetationClass 3 WoNSMost coastal and sub-coastal areas of eastern Australia[5]
Mesquite Prosopis spp.North, South AmericaSpread significantly in Queensland, may form dense impenetrable thickets, aggressive competitor and drought tolerantClass 1 WoNSWestern Qld[6]
Mother of millions Bryophyllum spp.MadagascarSucculent type plant well adapted to dry areas, highly toxic to stock, forms masses of embryoids (plantlets), hard to eradicateClass 2Ornamental garden plant, Central Highlands, Burnett[7]
Ochna (aka Mickey Mouse plant) Ochna serrulataAfricaOrnamental species, easily dispersed to new areas by birds eating the fruitsn/aWidely planted in gardens[8]
Parkinsonia Parkinsonia aculeatatropical AmericaIntroduced ornamental small shade tree, seeds float, forms dense, thorny thickets along watercoursesClass 2 WoNSinland Qld[9]
Parthenium Parthenium hysterophorustropical AmericaVigorous coloniser of weak pastures, disturbed areas, brigalow, gidgee and softwood scrub soils. Linked to health allergiesClass 2 WoNSpredominantly Central Qld[10]
Prickly pear Opuntia spp.AmericasSpiky cactus, drought resistant, widespread infestation in early 20th century but reduced through biological controlClass 2Central, Southern Qld[11]
Willow Salix spp.Northern hemispherePopular garden ornamentals, but invasive in waterways with aggressive root systemsClass 1 WoNSCooler parts of Qld[12]

See also

References

Further reading

  • Kleinschmidt, H. E (1977). Weeds of Queensland. Queensland Department of Primary Industries. p. 469.
  • Parsons, W (1992). Noxious Weeds of Australia.
  • Panetta, F (1998). The Biology of Australian Weeds Vol.2.
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