Click below to find out more information about Kingborough Councils WEED OF THE MONTH.
KC WEED OF THE MONTH - AUGUST - BONESEED
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Name of weed?
Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. monilifera (Boneseed)
Status
Declared weed under the Biosecurity Act 2019
CHARACTERTISTICS OF BONESEED
What does it look like?
Boneseed is a woody shrub growing to 3 metres with elongated leathery leaves. It flowers from late-winter and produces yellow flowers in clusters. The round fleshy fruit turn black when mature and contain a single smooth seed. The seed is bone coloured when dry, hence the name ‘boneseed’.
Why is it a problem?
Boneseed is a serious environmental weed and is a Weed of National Significance (WONS). It can form dense thickets several metres high which exclude most native understorey species and prevent their regeneration. In such situations the native fauna may also be affected by the loss habitat and food sources. This aggressive species has spread rapidly and is invading conservation areas in southern Australia, replacing entire ecosystems.
Where are you likely to see it?
Boneseed can invade the understorey of a range of habitats, but is particularly invasive in coastal areas from Taroona to Snug. A regional containment line has been supported by many Southern Councils in an effort to prevent further spread of this highly invasive weed. For the Kingborough municipal area, the boneseed containment line is Snug River. This means that boneseed infestations found south of Snug River and on Bruny Island are targeted for eradication.
If you see boneseed in these areas please report these sightings to Council at kc@kingborough.tas.gov.au or 03 6211 8200.
METHODS FOR REMOVING BONESEED?
By hand
Small plants and seedlings are easy to hand pull due to their shallow roots. If the plants have seeds, dispose of them by double-bagging the seed heads and disposing in general waste only, not green waste. Alternatively, plants can be left on site to break down.
Cut stump method
Cut stems as low to the ground as possible and paint neat Glyphosate herbicide on the stump within 15 seconds.
Foliar spraying
A number of herbicides are effective on boneseed. Clopyralid (eg. Lontrel) and Metsulfuron-methyl (eg. Associate) are of very low toxicity and can applied as a foliar spray to control boneseed. The addition of a wetting agent or penetrant will improve uptake of these herbicides. Cover all of the foliage with herbicide.
What is Council doing to control boneseed?
Boneseed is a weed which is targeted south of Snug River and on Bruny Island. In working towards this, Council controls boneseed using a number of methods, including cut and paint, targeted spraying and manual removal. When boneseed is identified on other land tenures, including private land, landowners are notified and advised of best practice control methods. Where necessary, Council will enforce the Biosecurity Act 2019 and require landowners to control boneseed infestations.
North of Snug River, where boneseed is widespread and abundant, infestations are prioritised to ensure the most cost effective and efficient use of Council resources. Prioritisation is based on a number of factors, such as the size of infestations, proximity to areas of high natural values, such as bushland reserves or threatened species, and other criteria, such as impact on fire regime, recreational or aesthetic values.
There has been an in increase in community concern surrounding boneseed, particularly where infestations are highly visible, such as alongside the steep walking tracks and cliffs when viewed from our shorelines. Unfortunately, these areas are often the hardest to access and control.
In June 2023, after 15 years of successful on ground management of boneseed in the adjacent coastal reserves, Council was able to identify and secure a contractor that has the technology and capability to tackle invasive weeds in hard to access areas. Drone technology was employed to accurately target boneseed on the steep cliffs next to the Suncoast Headlands and Boronia Beach Track. Substantial investment into contracting this new technology demonstrates Council’s commitment to the management of this invasive species for the protection of our natural areas.
KC WEED OF THE MONTH - SEPTEMBER - WATER HEATH
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Name of weed?
Erica caffra (Water heath)
Status
Declared weed under the Biosecurity Act 2019
CHARACTERISTICS OF WATER HEATH
What does it look like?
Water heath is a large shrub or small tree, commonly growing to 3 metres (or taller). It has lance shaped leaves that are deep green, sometimes greyish green, up to 2 cm long. It produces small white bell-shaped flowers, covered in fine hairs, with a strong honey scent. Also known as sweet-scented heath, it is one of the few Erica species with fragrant flowers. Similar in appearance to Spanish heath, water heath can be distinguished by its wider and longer leaves, and the hairy, scented flowers.
Impacts?
Water heath is a fast-growing plant and can establish in relatively natural ecosystems. It is tolerant of a wide range of conditions including frost, fire, waterlogging, and possibly drought. Without control, water heath can spread rapidly and cause devastation to waterways and surrounding habitats. It poses a very high risk to biodiversity because of its ability to form dense thickets that smother native vegetation, as well as prevent access for land management and recreational activities. Dense infestations of water heath pose a significant fire hazard.
Where are you likely to see it?
Water heath has a limited distribution and is currently restricted to small areas on South Bruny.
If you see water heath, please report these sightings to Kingborough Council.
Methods of control?
By hand
Seedlings and small plants can be hand pulled in moist or sandy soil. Take care when removing by hand, as plants break off easily and remaining roots can reshoot. Plants should be left on site to break down.
Cut stump method
Cut stems as low to the ground as possible and paint undiluted Glyphosate herbicide on the stump within 15 seconds.
Foliar spraying
Foliar spraying can be highly effective, providing it is carefully chosen, selectively applied to small plants and regrowth, and all foliage is covered when the herbicide is applied.
Several herbicides are effective on water heath including Metsulfuron-methyl (eg. Associate), which is of very low toxicity. The addition of a wetting agent or penetrant will improve the uptake of any herbicide used.
What is being done about water heath?
Water heath is a high priority weed which is targeted throughout Kingborough. In working towards this, Council uses a number of control methods, including cut and paint, targeted spraying and manual removal.
Water heath mostly occurs on private land, but like all weeds, it has no regard for property boundaries, routinely jumping from one property to the next. In recognition of the potential impacts of this invasive species, Kingborough Council secured funding through the Weed Action Fund for a 3 year, cross-tenure weed control project on Bruny Island.
Council staff have extensively surveyed areas around known infestations of water heath and identified private properties for free weed control assistance through the grant funding. Infestations of water heath were prioritised to ensure the most cost effective and efficient use of the limited amount of funding.
Prioritisation is based on a number of factors, such as size of infestations, proximity to areas of high natural values including threatened species, and other criteria, such as impact on fire regime, recreational or aesthetic values.
The opportunity to work collaboratively with private landowners has been important to the success of the Weed Action Fund project and achieving the long-term goal of eradicating water heath from Kingborough.
