Submitted by Carole and John Mullings
We are going to take a look at the different categories of invasive plants and examples thereof.
There are three categories of invasive plants :
Category 1: These plants must be removed and controlled by all land users.
They may no longer be planted or propagated and all trade in these species is prohibited. E.g. long-leaved wattle, hakea, spider gum, inkberry, sesbania, pittosporum, oleander, stink bean, lantana, pampas grass, Spanish broom, Spanish reed, prickly pear, canna and several waterweeds.
Category 2: These plants pose a threat to the environment but nevertheless have commercial value.
These species are only allowed to occur in demarcated areas and a land user must obtain a water use licence as these plants consume large quantities of water. E.g. rooikrans, Port Jackson, black wattle, blackwood, grey poplar, pine, several gum species, weeping willows, beefwood, sisal, castor oil plant.
Category 3: These plants have the potential of becoming invasive but are considered to have ornamental value.
Existing plants do not have to be removed but no new plantings may occur and the plants may not be sold. E.g. jacaranda, syringe, manatoka, Brazilian pepper, bottlebrush, cotoneaster, loquat, sword fern and morning glory.
In each newsletter we are going to be focusing on some of the invasive species that we have in our suburb.