Darling Downs Residents Association Inc.
Declared Weeds
Paterson's Curse
Paterson's curse is a declared plant (noxious weed). It is an annual plant native to the Mediterranean region. It is considered a weed because it can degrade the natural environment, compromising habitat values by crowding out and suppressing native vegetation.
Integrated weed management of Paterson's curse in the DDRA open spaces includes the following control methods at the appropriate time:
-
Tractor slashing/mulching at flowering time
-
Hand weeding.
Cotton Bush
Narrow-leaf cotton bush is a common weed in the south-west of Western Australia. It invades run down or low fertility pastures where it displaces useful species such as clover. Narrow-leaf cotton bush and its close relatives contain cardiac glycosides, which are toxic to humans and livestock.
Integrated weed management of Cotton bush in the DDRA open spaces includes the following control methods at the appropriate time:
-
Tractor slashing/mulching prior to flowering time
-
Hand weeding.
Cape Tulip
Cape tulip is the common name applied to two toxic plants native to South Africa. These are the one-leaf Cape tulip (Moraea flaccida) – salmon coloured flower and the two-leaf Cape tulip (M. miniata) – white flower.
Like many other serious weeds, Cape tulips were introduced to Australia as garden plants because of their attractive flowers and hardy nature. Both Cape tulip varieties, are a declared weed, and have the potential to impact both agriculture and the environment.
Cape tulip is a well-established weed that is toxic to all livestock, infests pastures, and reduces available feed by taking over the pasture mix to become the dominant plant. Animals will selectively graze clovers and other more palatable species, and this allows Cape tulips to flourish. They contain toxic chemicals called glycosides which affect the animals heart.
There is currently no treatment available for poisoned livestock, including horses, cattle, sheep and goats. Both one-leaf and two-leaf Cape tulips are serious weeds of pasture.
