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List of invasive plant species in New South Wales

Numerous plants have been introduced to the state of New South Wales, Australia during the past two centuries, and many of them have become invasive species or noxious weeds which by definition compete with native plants and suppress the growth of indigenous populations. NSW has over 340 weeds, though only one-third are considered noxious, which were purposefully introduced as garden and farmland plants, and thus had escaped. They generally consist of agricultural, scrub, aquatic, roadside and allergenic weeds.

Limnobium laevigatum (frogbit) is declared ‘prohibited matter’ under the Biosecurity Act 2015 for its invasive and obstructive nature, therefore it's illegal to buy or sell this plant in NSW.[1]

Weeds threaten more than 40% of NSW threatened species (which are predominantly plants) and around 90% of endangered ecological communities. An excess of $50 million of public money (half which come from state government) is currently being spent on weed control. Despite the efforts, the control is not keeping up with their invasiveness, and the NSW Government has granted that it is unlikely to surpass its 2015 goal of ‘a reduction in the impact of invasive species’.[2]

Weeds are threat to the state's natural environment and would jeopardise many native plants and animals in NSW. They would also effect the price of food, human condition (allergies and asthma), recreational activities and the economy of New South Wales. The harmful impact of weeds is increasing fast as more species are introduced and dispersed into new areas. General, state or regional biosecurity duties under the Biosecurity Act 2015 are presented for each weed.[3]

Weed classification

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A Class 1 weed, it is a criminal offense to import or plant Vachellia karroo.
 
A Class 2 weed, Salvinia molesta is regionally prohibited and should be eradicated from the land.
 
A Class 3 weed, land managers should minimise the risk of introducing or spreading Cestrum parqui.
 
A Class 4 weed, Anredera cordifolia must not be sold or imported into the state.

This is the Noxious Weeds Act 1993:[4][5]

  • Class 1: State prohibited weeds (Risk Rating 1 - Very High Risk) – Plants that pose a potentially serious threat to primary production or the environment and are not present in the State, or are present only to a limited extent. They must be eradicated from the land and the land must be kept free of the plant. In other words, these plants have not invaded NSW yet, but should prevented from introduction and establishment in the state. The entire state of NSW command the destruction of noxious weeds that fall under this class and keeping the entire state free of such plant. The existence of the plant must be notified to the local control authority.
  • Class 2: Regionally prohibited weeds (Risk Rating 2 - High Risk) – Plants that pose a potentially serious threat to primary production or the environment of a region to which the order applies and are not present in the region, or are present only to a limited extent. They must be eradicated from the land and the land must be kept free of the plant. These plants have also not invaded NSW yet, but should prevented from introduction and establishment only in certain LGAs.
  • Class 3: Regionally controlled weeds (Risk Rating 3 - Medium Risk) – Plants that pose a potentially serious threat to primary production or the environment of an area to which the order applies, are not widely distributed in the area, and are likely to spread within the area or to another area. They must be fully and continuously suppressed and destroyed. Invasive plants here have established to an extent, but must be reduced in the area and in their impact in parts of the state. The region or LGA area should ceaselessly subdue and destroy class 3 weeds to decrease the negative impacts of their infestation. Some are also prohibited from sale or distribution.
  • Class 4: Locally controlled weeds (Risk Rating 4 - Marginal Risk) – Plants that pose a potentially serious threat to primary production, the environment or human health, are widely distributed in an area to which the order applies and are likely to spread in the area or to another area. The growth of the plant must be managed in a way that reduces its numbers, spread and incidence, and continually stops reproducing. The plant must not be sold, propagated or knowingly distributed. Due to their establishment, the LGAs should control the spread of class 4 noxious weeds to lessen their numbers, dispersal, and to reduce their growth endlessly. The local council should also decrease their negative impacts on agriculture, community, and environment. The plant may not be sold, propagated or intentionally distributed in some LGAs.
  • Class 5: Restricted plants (Risk Rating 5 - Low Risk) – Plants that are likely, by their sale or the sale of their seeds or movement within the state or an area of the state, to spread in the state or outside the state. Owners or occupiers of land must notify their local control authorities if they're aware of the spread of these weeds on land.[6] These plants should prevented from introduction and establishment within the state or from NSW to another state. The state restricts weeds that haven’t been established yet or are scarcely present. The state also forbids merchandising weeds that were originally garden or aquarium plants which have the power to become noxious weeds.

Priority weeds

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The Biosecurity Act 2015 restricts those that trade or transport plants (called 'priority weeds') that damage the state's environment, economy and community. The restrictions apply to all parts of the plant, such as cuttings, cultivars and hybrids.

'State priority weeds' are banned from being sold in NSW. 'Regional priority weeds' should not be sold or transported in certain regions of NSW. Those that buy or sell them are committing an offence, where they can be issued with hefty penalties. These legal rules apply:

  • "Prohibited Matter – A person who deals with prohibited matter or a carrier of prohibited matter is guilty of an offence. The definition of 'dealing' is broad and includes having, buying, selling, moving, growing and disposal."
  • "Control Order – Requires all parts of the plant to be destroyed until eradicated."
  • "Mandatory Measure (Prohibition on Dealings) – Must not be imported into the State or sold."[7]

Lists

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Noxious weeds

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A Class 3, 4 and/or 5 weed (depending on the region), Lantana camara is a noxious weed that must not be sold or imported into the state.
 
Ipomoea cairica (Cairo morning glory) is a locally controlled weed (Class 4) and may not be sold or propagated in most areas of Sydney.
 
Initially an ornamental plant, Senna pendula has become a major pest in eastern Australia and is regarded a Class 4 weed.
 
A Class 4 weed, Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata (African olive) is not to be traded, carried, grown or released into the environment.

Plants listed below are noxious weeds that should not to be sold in parts of New South Wales due to their invasive nature (most listed here are a 'Weed of National Significance') as they pose a threat to native fauna and flora, and are in the class 3 or 4 categories (a few are prohibited for purchase or propagation in some local government areas). Some of which are widespread weeds, found particularly in disturbed areas, parks and/or house gardens. Some are no longer commonly grown, while others are still cultivated.[8][9]

 
A Class 5 weed, Asparagus asparagoides (bridal creeper) is a restricted weed that may not be sold, bought or knowingly distributed throughout the state.
 
A Class 5 weed, Tamarix aphylla is a restricted weed that should not be sold or brought into the state.
 
A Class 4 weed, Opuntia monacantha or the common prickly pear has a prohibition on dealings.
 
A Class 3 weed, Honey locusts should be fully and continuously suppressed and destroyed in parts of the North Coast.
 
Although an ornamental plant, Rosa rubiginosa is not to be sold or propagated in numerous local authority areas, making it a Class 4 weed.

Species in bold are common or widespread in the state.

Prohibited species

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Plants listed below are presently Prohibited Matter in the Biosecurity Act 2015. These plants are banned for importation into NSW and are not yet present in the state. Any person that deals with a Prohibited Matter plant is guilty of an offence. They are generally categorized under Class 1 (state prohibited weeds):[10]

Common name Scientific name
Anchored water hyacinth Eichhornia azurea
Black knapweed Centaurea x moncktonii
Bridal veil creeper Asparagus declinatus
Broomrapes Orobanche spp.
Eurasian water milfoil Myriophyllum spicatum
Frogbit Limnobium laevigatum
Gamba grass Andropogon gayanus
Hawkweed Hieracium aurantiacum
Karroo thorn Vachellia karroo
Kochea Bassia scoparia
Koster's curse Clidemia hirta
Lagarosiphon Lagarosiphon major
Mexican feather grass Nassella tenuissima
Miconia Miconia spp.
Mikania vine Mikania micrantha
Parthenium weed Parthenium hysterophorus
Rubber vine Cryptostegia grandiflora
Siam weed Chromolaena odorata
Spongeplant Limnobium spongia
Spotted knapweed Centaurea stoebe
Water caltrop Trapa spp.
Water pennywort Hydrocotyle ranunculoides
Water soldier Stratiotes aloides
Witchweed Striga spp.
Yellow burrhead Limnocharis flava

Environmental weeds

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Solanum mauritianum is an environmental weed in the state, although it is not declared noxious.
 
Tropaeolum majus is a widespread non-noxious weed in the state.
 
Vinca major is a non-noxious environmental weed in the state.

Plants listed below are regarded as emerging or significant environmental weeds that are not considered noxious by any state government authorities, even though some are widespread:[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Help stop spread of dangerous aquatic weed by Department of Primary Industries
  2. ^ Stopping The Weed Crisis In NSW by the Invasive Species Council
  3. ^ Weeds by the Department of Studies from the NSW government
  4. ^ NOXIOUS WEEDS ACT 1993 - SECT 8 Weed control classes by New South Wales Repealed Acts
  5. ^ Biosecurity & North Sydney Weeds North Sydney Council, 2021
  6. ^ Report noxious and environmental weeds on your property by City of Sydney.com
  7. ^ Weed categories by Department of Primary Industries
  8. ^ "Plants that should not be sold in parts of NSW". Department of Primary Studies. 10 March 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  9. ^ "Plants not to be sold in all or parts of NSW". Department of Primary Studies. 10 March 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  10. ^ Biosecurity Act 2015 No 24 by NSW legislation from the NSW government. 22 January 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  11. ^ BUSHLAND WEEDS OF THE SYDNEY REGION Australian Association of Bush Regenerators (AABR)

Attribution

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  Parts of this Wikipedia article contains material from Weed categories - Plants not to be sold in all or parts of NSW, published by the Government of New South Wales under CC-BY 3.0 AU licence (accessed on 11 March 2021).

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