Pest plants
Pest plants (weeds) have a significant impact on agricultural production, costing Australia over $4 billion a year and over $19 million per year in the Limestone Coast. Pest plants also have a significant impact on the environment as they compete with native vegetation, much of which is food or homes for native animals.
The Limestone Coast Landscape Board aims to prevent the invasion of new weeds that threaten the region and to mitigate or eradicate many weeds currently present.
A pest plant and animal strategy for the region has been developed.
There are four categories of weeds:
- Declared - the weed is a significant threat to agriculture, the natural environment and public health and safety.
- Priority - the weed poses a serious threat and is identified as being a priority within the region.
- Alert - the weed poses a serious threat but is not present in the region yet and has the potential to establish itself.
- Weeds of national significance (WONS) – weeds effecting on a national scale.
Controlling pest plants
If you need assistance with pest plant control, please contact the Landscape Officers in your area or call 08 8429 7550.
Report a weed
If you have found a declared weed or a new weed you are unsure of, please contact your nearest Landscape Officer.
Resources
- Spiny Rush vs Sea Rush - factsheet
- African Lovegrass - factsheet
- Weed Control Handbook
Priority weeds in the Limestone Coast
Priority weeds and their management actions are identified in the Limestone Coast Pest Plant and Animal Strategy.
Common name: African lovegrass Scientific name: Eragrostis curvula
Status: Declared.
Limestone Coast management action (2009): contain spread
Related links:
Common name: Aleppo pine
Scientific name: Pinus halepensis
Status: Declared.
South East management action: contain spread.
Related links:
Common name: Asparagus fern
Scientific name: Asparagus aethiopicus
Status: Non-declared species.
South East management action: destroy infestations.
Related links:
Common name: Bathurst burr
Scientific name: Xanthium spinosum
Status: Declared.
South East management action: contain spread.
Related links:
Common name: Blackberry
Scientific name: Rubus fruticosus
Status: Declared; must be controlled.
South East management action: destroy infestations.
Related links:
Common name: Boneseed
Scientific name: Chrysanthemoides monilifera
Status: Declared.
South East management action: contain spread.
Related links:
Common name: Caltrop
Scientific name: Tribulus terrestris
Status: Declared.
South East management action: contain spread.
Related links:
Common name: Cape tulip
Scientific name: Moraea flaccida
Status: Declared.
South East management action: contain spread.
Related links:
Common name: Creeping knapweed
Scientific name: Acroptilon repens
Status: Declared.
South East management action: contain spread.
Related links:
Common name: Gorse
Scientific name: Ulex europaeus
Status: Declared.
South East management action: contain spread.
Related links:
Common name: Hoary cress
Scientific name: Lepidium draba
Status: Declared.
South East management action: contain spread.
Related links:
Common name: African boxthorn
Scientific name: Lycium ferocissimum
Status: Declared
Related Links: African boxthorn Factsheet
Common name: Innocent weed
Scientific name: Cenchrus incertus
Status: Declared: must be controlled.
South East management action: destroy infestations.
Related links:
Common name: Mexican feathergrass
Scientific name: Nassella tenuissima
Status: Declared species.
South East management action: contain spread.
Related links:
Common name: Noogoora burr
Scientific name: Xanthium strumarium
Status: Declared.
South East management action: contain spread.
Related links:
Common name: Pampas grass
Scientific name: Cortaderia species
Status: Declared: must be controlled.
South East management action: destroy infestations.
Related links:
Common name: Salvation Jane
Scientific name: Echium plantagineum
Status: Declared. South East management action: contain spread.
Related links:
Common name: Silverleaf nightshade
Scientific name: Solanum elaeagnifolium
Status: Declared: must be controlled.
South East management action: destroy infestations.
Related links:
Common name: Three corner jack
Scientific name: Emex australis
Status: Declared.
South East management action: contain spread.
Related links:
Common name: Variegated thistle
Scientific name: Silybum marianum
Status: Declared.
South East management action: contain spread.
Related links:
Common name: Olive (feral and excluding cultivated trees)
Scientific name: Olea europaea
Status: Declared
Related links: Olive (feral) Factsheet
Common name: Western Cape bridal creeper
Scientific name: Asparagus asparagoides Western Cape form
Status: Declared: must be controlled.
South East management action: destroy infestations.
Related links:
Common name: Yellow burweed
Scientific name: Amsinckia calycina
Status: Declared.
South East management action: contain spread.
Related links:
Alert weeds in the Limestone Coast
Over 30 species of alert weeds have been identified for the region. These weeds are species not yet present in the Limestone Coast or present in very limited numbers, but that have the potential for large negative impacts if they were to become established in the region.
Common name: Alligator weed
Scientific name: Alternanthera philoxeroides
Status: Alert weed
Related links:
Common name: Asparagus fern
Scientific name: Asparagus scandens
Status: Alert weed
Related links:
Common name: Bridal veil
Scientific name: Asparagus declinatus
Status: Alert weed
Related links:
Common name: Broomrape
Scientific name: Orobranche ramosa
Status: Alert weed
Related links:
Common name: Calomba daisy
Scientific name: Oncosiphon suffruticosum
Status: Alert weed
Related links:
Common name: Chilean needlegrass
Scientific name: Nassella neesiana
Status: Alert weed
Related links:
Common name: Coolatai grass Scientific name: Hyparrhenia hirta
Status: Alert weed
Related links:
Common name: Golden dodder Scientific name: Cuscuta campestris
Status: Alert weed
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Common name: Water hyacinth
Scientific name: Eichhornia crassipes
Status: Alert weed
Related links:
Common name: Horsetail Scientific name: Equisetum hyemale
Status: Alert weed
Related links:
Common name: Primrose willow Scientific name: Ludwigia peruviana
Status: Alert weed
Related links:
Common name: Salvinia
Scientific name: Salvinia molesta
Status: Alert weed
Related links:
Common name: Serrated tussock Scientific name: Nassella trichotoma
Status: Alert weed
Related links:
Common name: Texas needlegrass
Scientific name: Nassella leucotricha
Status: Alert weed
Related links:
Common name: White weeping broom
Scientific name: Retama raetam
Status: Alert weed
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