Weeds

Weeds are a major threat to the natural environment. They threaten native plants and animals, destroy habitats, and are capable of over-taking natural systems including rivers, creeks, bushland and forests. Weeds reduce farm and forestry productivity and some can harm humans and livestock. 

Many weeds are capable of lying dormant in the soil for years. If disturbed, they quickly take hold and flourish, often out-competing native species. 'Declared' weeds cost the Queensland economy an estimated $500 million every year. 

Capricorn Coast invasive weeds include: leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala), lantana (Lantana camara), blue morning glory (Ipomoea indica), singapore daisy (Sphagneticola trilobata), Captain Cook tree / yellow oleander (Thevetia perusviana), rubber vine (Cryptostegia madagascariensis), Yellow Bells (Tecoma stans), snakeweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis), parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus), mother in-laws tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata), mother of millions (Bryophyllum spp.), cadaghi (Corymbia torelliana), and water weeds - hymenachne (Hymenachne amplexicaulis), salvinia (Salvinia molesta), and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crasspipes) .  

32 Weeds of National Significance: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/weeds/weeds/lists/wons.html

New biosecurity laws governing the control of weed and pest species were passed in Queensland in 2014: https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/biosecurity/about-biosecurity/biosecurity-act-2014

Landcare volunteer Malcolm Wells writes for our monthly Envirolink newsletter and brings a wealth of experience as a bush regenerator to his articles on common garden weeds. 

Silver leafed Sunflower (Helianthus argohyllus)