Kangaroo Island
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Salvation Jane (Echium plantagineum)

Salvation Jane (Echium plantagineum)

High Risk Weed for Kangaroo Island

Salvation Jane is an Alert weed for Kangaroo Island. Notify the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board. Early detection and control are the best way to prevent the next widespread weed. 

It is a declared plant for South Australia. 

THE SITUATION AND WHAT TO DO

Salvation Jane (also known as Paterson’s curse) is a winter-growing annual herb that persists into summer and is native to Mediterranean Europe. Introduced to Australia in the 1800s for fodder and as an ornamental garden plant, it has spread to grazing lands, roadsides, and disturbed areas in temperate regions of Southern Australia. 

Salvation Jane is a declared plant in South Australia under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019 and requires notification of presence on Kangaroo Island.

On Kangaroo Island it is known to be common and localised to occasional and widespread areas. It was most likely originally introduced to the island for its honey production qualities and has spread to other parts of the island.

Salvation Jane reproduces by seed. It is commonly spread via contaminated hay and grain, livestock droppings and machinery. Birds can also occasionally spread seed.

The Kangaroo Island Landscape Board has had a long history of managing Salvation Jane. Numerus new infestation are found and controlled along roadsides every year, as well as responding to infestations on properties, and monitoring biocontrol at Western River Cove and Murray Lagoon with the main aim of reducing spread along roadways and other parts of the island.

To help stop the spread:

  • New infestation requires notification of presence
  • landholders should control Salvation Jane on their property.
  • practice good hygiene when moving machinery.
  • do not sell hay or fodder from pasture where Salvation Jane is present, and
  • requesting a vendor declaration when purchasing farm produce or stock feed.
Salvation Jane (Echium plantagineum)

DESCRIPTION

  • Growth form: Upright, bushy annual herb, 30–60 cm tall, forming dense patches.
  • Leaves: Grey-green, hairy, lance-shaped to oblong, forming a basal rosette with smaller leaves along stems.
  • Flowers: Bright purple-blue, sometimes white, funnel-shaped, in clusters on erect stems; flowers mainly in winter–spring.
  • Fruit: Small, dry nutlets, usually 4 per flower.
  • Seed: Each plant produces 5,000–10,000 seeds. Seeds remain viable in soil for up to 7 years.

CONTROL OPTIONS

Physical control—such as hand hoeing or pulling—is effective for isolated plants. Flowering plants should be destroyed (e.g., by burning), as seeds can continue to mature even after cutting or pulling. Slashing can delay or suppress flowering. Grazing at regular short intervals, particularly by sheep, is effective on young plants. While young seedlings may be eaten by stock, dense infestations reduce overall fodder quality and quantity.

Herbicides are most effective when applied to seedlings or rosettes during active growth in late autumn to winter. In pastures it is best to use a selective herbicide to maintain healthy, competitive pastures.  Some seeds remain dormant in the soil for many years, but cultivation can stimulate germination otherwise repeated spraying over several seasons is needed.

Biological control agents have successfully reduced large un-managed salvation Jane infestations.

IMPACTS

Salvation Jane reduces pasture productivity as livestock avoid it, and its early winter growth allows it to out-compete pasture seedlings and perennial grasses. It contains toxic alkaloids that can harm livestock, particularly horses and pigs. Dense infestations can dominate pastures, suppress native species, and leave bare soil in summer, increasing erosion. 

Its pollen may cause hay fever and allergies, and the hairy leaves and stems can irritate skin.

Permitted and on label herbicides and rates can be found on the PIRSA Weed Control Website.

DECLARATIONS

Salvation Jane is declared under the following sections of the Landscape Act 2019 :

  • 186(2) Prohibiting movement on public roads
  • 188(1) Prohibiting sale of the plant
  • 188(2) Prohibiting sale of contaminated goods
  • 190 Requiring notification of presence
  • 192(2) Landowners to control the plant on their properties
  • 194 Recovery of control costs on adjoining road reserve

FURTHER INFORMATION

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