Jumping The Garden Fence

Jumping the Garden
Fence
Invasive garden plants in Australia and their
environmental and agricultural impacts
A CSIRO report for WWF-Australia by
R.H. Groves
CSIRO Plant Industry
Robert Boden
Robert Boden & Associates
W.M. Lonsdale
CSIRO Entomology
February 2005
Jumping the Garden Fence: Invasive Garden Plants in Australia
© WWF-Australia 2005. All Rights Reserved.
ISBN 1 875941 84 3
Authors: Richard Groves, Robert Boden and Mark Lonsdale
WWF-Australia
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Published in February 2005 by WWF-Australia. Any reproduction in full or part of this publication must
mention the title and credit the above mentioned publisher as the copyright owner.
First published in February 2005
For bibliographic purposes this paper should be cited as:

Groves, R.H., Boden, R. & Lonsdale, W.M. 2005. Jumping the Garden Fence: Invasive Garden Plants in
Australia and their environmental and agricultural impacts. CSIRO report prepared for WWF-Australia.
WWF-Australia, Sydney.
The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of
WWF.
For copies of this report, please contact WWF-Australia at publications@wwf.org.au or call 1800 032 551.
World Wide Fund for Nature ABN: 57 001 594 074
Acknowledgments. We thank Andreas Glanznig for initiating the project and commenting throughout the
gestation of this report. Dave Albrecht (Alice Springs), George Batianoff (Qld), Kate Blood (Vic), Geoff
Butler and Geoff Price (ACT), David Cooke (SA), John Hosking (NSW), Greg Keighery (WA), Andrew
Mitchell (NT Top End) and Tim Rudman (Tas) gave their time and experience to nominate the most
important garden plants that were still for sale in their respective jurisdictions. Rod Randall generously
provided advice on his data base of naturalised invasive garden plants. Photographs were kindly provided
by George Batianoff, Ralph Dowling, John Hosking, Greg Keighery, Tim Rudman, Geoff Sainty, Sally
Vidler and Colin Wilson. Kate Blood, Greg Keighery and Dane Panetta commented on an early draft.
The support of the Albert George and Nancy Caroline Youngman Trust as managed by Equity Trustees is
gratefully acknowledged.
WWF-Australia is part of the WWF International Network, the world’s largest and most
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WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future
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2 WWF-Australia
About the Authors

Dr Richard Groves is a Senior Principal Research Scientist with CSIRO Plant Industry,
Canberra. He has 40 years’ research experience on the ecology of plant invasions and in natural
vegetation management. Since 1998, he has also been an Adjunct Professor in the Division of
Botany & Zoology, ANU. Richard has undertaken research at universities and research centres in
the US, South Africa, New Zealand, France and Japan. He has co-edited a number of books on
biological invasions, weed biology and Australian vegetation.
Other roles include:
• Member, Australian Weeds Committee 1977-2000.

• Member, SCOPE International Scientific Advisory Committee 1983-1987.
• Chairman, CONCOM Working Group on Control of Weeds in National Parks, 1985-1992.
• Program Leader, CRC Weed Management Systems, 1995-2002.
• Task Leader, CRC Australian Weed Management, 2001-2004.
Dr Robert Boden is a principal of Robert Boden & Associates and a former long standing
Director of the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra. He has extensive experience in
natural resource management, which includes:
• working at senior executive levels on natural resource management policy development in
Commonwealth Government departments and agencies, and
• leading Australian delegations to international conferences on endangered species, migratory
birds and wetlands.
As a consultant Robert has:

• carried out policy reviews of Australian Government natural resource management programs
• held ACT statutory positions of Chair, ACT Flora and Fauna Committee and Adviser, Tree
Protection (Interim Scheme) Act 2001.
Dr Mark Lonsdale Assistant Chief CSIRO Entomology Division Canberra and Chair of the
Global Invasive Species Program Board. Mark has 20 years' experience in research into invasive
species:
• He organised the development process and wrote the business plan for the successful re-bid of
the CRC for Australian Weed Management
• He co-ordinated CSIRO's new research program on ecological implications of GMOs.
• He is a member of the Board of the CRC for Pest Animal Control, 2003-
He also has an international reputation in the area:

• Member, Editorial Board, Biological Invasions 1998-
• Member, SCOPE Global Invasive Species Program 1999-2001.
• Member, Global Change in Terrestrial Ecosystems program 1999-
WWF-Australia 3
Contents
Executive summary 7
Chapter 1 – Introduction 11
Chapter 2 – Stages and pathways for invasion 12
Chapter 3 - Two hundred plus years of plant invasions in Australia 16
Chapter 4 – Negative impacts of invasive garden plants: 20

(a) impacts on Australian biodiversity
(b) impacts on Australian agriculture
Chapter 5 – The current situation concerning the availability for sale by 35

nurseries of invasive garden plants:
(a) major weeds
(b) in relation to Australian biodiversity
(c) in relation to Australian agriculture
Chapter 6 – Recommendations for better management of sale of invasive 72

garden plants
Chapter 7 – Concluding discussion 74
References 75
Appendix 1. National list of invasive and potentially invasive garden plants 79
Appendix 2. Fact sheets for the most invasive garden plants in each 102
Australian State or Territory
Boxes
1 Canberra’s hedges – a case study of ornamentals emerging as 20
weeds
2 Paterson’s Curse (Echium plantagineum) – a widespread naturalised 29
invasive garden plant causing major agricultural impacts
3 Lippia (Phyla canescens) – a major emerging naturalised invasive 30
garden plant causing serious agricultural impacts
4 Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima) – a newly naturalised 31
invasive garden plant that has the potential to cause major agricultural
impacts
5 Bear-skin fescue (Festuca gautieri) – a newly introduced invasive 32
garden plant that is a known grazing weed
6 Plantation trees gone wild 60
7 Native plants outside their natural range can also be invasive 61
4 WWF-Australia
Figures
1 The stages of plant invasions with numbers of species 14
known for Australia for the different stages (based on data of
R.P. Randall, pers. comm. & 2001; Virtue et al. 2002;
Groves et al. 2003; DEH 2004; Virtue et al. 2004;).
2 (a) Number of naturalised plant species in the four Australian 17
States of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South
Australia 1870-1980 (Fig. 14 of Specht 1981); (b) Number of plant
Taxa naturalising in Australia for each five-year period between 1971
and 1995 (Fig. 4 of Groves et al. 1998)
3 Means of introduction of those plant species naturalising in Australia 19
between 1971 and 1995 (Fig. 7 of Groves et al. 1998)
4 Rates of naturalisation of accidential, horticultural, and agricultural 19
plant introductions to urban Auckland for six periods of naturalisation
(Fig.1 of Esler & Astridge 1987). Note the increasing proportion of
deliberate horticultural introductions that have naturalised since 1940.
5 Numbers of Sand-hill greenhood (Pterosylis arenicolor) with and without 23
Bridal creeper (Asparagus asparagoides) at Tailem Bend, SA (from
Sorensen & Jusaitis 1995).
6 Estimated distribution of lippia in the Condamine catchment 30
(from Julien et al. 2004)
7 Potential distribution of Nassella tenuissima predicted from a climate 31
profile of distributions in its countries of origin (from McLaren et al. 2004)
8 Potential distribution of Festuca gautieri as determined by ‘Climate’ 32
(from Spafford Jacob et al. 2004)
Tables
1 Weed status by industry sector of exotic plant species introduced to 15
Australia, April 2004
2 The means of introduction of the naturalised species of South Australia 18
(from Kloot 1987)
3 The thirteen milestones on the road to extinction (after King 1987) 21
4 The numbers of presumed extinct and endangered plant species in 22
the Australian flora in relation to a variety of environmental threats
(from Leigh & Briggs 1992).
5 Naturalised invasive and potentially invasive garden plants which are 36
noxious, prohibited from sale, both nationally and by jurisdiction
6 Summary of those commercially available naturalised invasive and potentially 37
invasive garden plants that are major weeds or impact on biodiversity and
agriculture
7 The ten most serious invasive garden plants in Australia 40
currently available for sale by nurseries
8 The ten most serious invasive garden plants currently available 51
for sale in New South Wales
for sale in Queensland
for sale in South Australia
for sale in Tasmania
for sale in Victoria
for sale in Western Australia
for sale in the Australian Capital Territory
WWF-Australia 5

for sale in the ‘Top End’ of the Northern Territory
for sale in arid Northern Territory
17 Distribution of all production nurseries (NGIA 2003) compared 59
to the distribution of nurseries used in this report (Hibbert 2002)
18 Status of the World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species that are invasive 62
garden plants, their declared status (as of Jan. 2004), whether
they are prohibited from sale and their availability for sale
(Hibbert 2002)
19 Status of Weeds of National Significance (WONS) that are 63
invasive garden plants and currently for sale
20 Status of Alert List species that are currently available for sale 64
(Hibbert 2002)
21 Status of species impacting on ROTAP species which are 65
invasive garden plants and currently available for sale
22 Status of invasive garden plants that are species recommended 66
for eradication from natural ecosystems that are currently
available for sale
23 Invasive and potentially invasive garden plants that are 67
primarily agricultural or ruderal weeds
24 Selected invasive garden plants are are cropping weeds 68
25 Weeds of greatest significance to Australian grazing industries that are 70
invasive garden plants (adapted from Table 21 in Grice 2003)
26 Emerging weeds that may present problems for grazing industries that are 70
invasive garden plants (adapted from Table 23 in Grice 2003)
6 WWF-Australia
Executive Summary
Introduced invasive plants are harming our biodiversity and
agriculture
Over 27,000 known alien plant species have been introduced to Australia. Of these, 2,779 or
about 10% are now established in Australia’s environment. This number is rising by about 10
species per year, and the rate is increasing.
In natural ecosystems, invasive plants impact negatively on the biodiversity of many Australian
vegetation types ranging from tropical wetlands to arid riverine vegetation. Many infest vast
areas of the continent. For example, rubbervine (Cryptostegia grandiflora), an escaped garden
plant, has been recorded across 34.6 million hectares, or 20% of Queensland alone.Weed
competition is the primary cause for the extinction of at least 4 native plant species, and another
57 are currently threatened or will become so through competition of weeds. The impact of
weed competition is increasing as a major threat to the survival of many native plant species.
In agricultural ecosystems, weed impacts are estimated to cost Australia at least $4 billion per
year. Many escaped garden plants contribute substantially to this cost. This includes Paterson’s
curse (Echium plantagineum) which costs agriculture $30 million per year, and Lippia (Phyla
canescens) which costs the grazing industry an estimated $38 million per year.
Most of these weeds were introduced for ornamental horticulture

The gardening industry is by far the largest importer of introduced plant species, being the
source for the introduction of 25,360 or 94% of new plant species into Australia. Garden plant
introductions are also the dominant source of new naturalised plants and weeds in Australia. Of
the 2,779 introduced plant species now known to be established in the Australian environment,
1,831 (or 66%) are escaped garden plant species.
They also make up two-thirds of the introduced plant species naturalised over the 25 years to
1995. Studies suggest that introduced garden plants will comprise an even greater portion of the
total of future naturalised species.
Of great concern is that many serious environmental and agricultural weeds continue to be
imported into Australia. These imports include Mexican feathergrass (Nassella tenuissima), a
close relative of serrated tussock; it was introduced as an ornamental tussock grass in 1996 and
had naturalized by 2004. Mexican feathergrass has an estimated economic impact on
agriculture of $39m. Another potentially significant grazing weed Bear-skin fescue (Festuca
gautieri) was imported in 2003 and by November 2004 was being advertised for sale.
Most environmental and agricultural weeds are invasive garden

plants
Invasive garden plant species make up the vast majority of the 1,953 combined agricultural,
noxious and natural ecosystem weeds, comprising 1,366 (70%) of the total. They are by far the
largest source of agricultural and environmental weeds, comprising 69% of the 954 listed
agricultural weeds and 72% of the 1,765 listed environmental weeds.
Invasive garden plants also comprise over half (56%) of the 36 land and aquatic plants in the list
of the World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species.
WWF-Australia 7
Environment: 28 (57%) of the 49 naturalised non-native species that impact on rare or

threatened native plant species are invasive garden plants.
Agriculture: Invasive garden plants impact negatively on cropping systems include Tumble
pigweed, Capeweed, Saffron thistle and Bindweed.
Of the 48 weeds identified in the report, Weeds of Significance to the Grazing Industries of
Australia, as of greatest significance to Australian grazing industries, over 40% are invasive
garden plants, of which four are still are available for sale (Creeping lantana, Lantana, Mother
of millions and St Johns wort). Of the 24 emerging weeds identified as having the potential to
become highly significant for grazing industries, over half (54%) are invasive garden plants, of
which a third (8 or 33%) remain available for sale. These weeds include Hawkweeds, Neem,
Sisal hemp, Lincoln weed and Yellow oleander.
Many invasive garden plant species that impact on the environment and
agriculture continue to be available for sale
The continuing sale, and hence wide distribution, of invasive and potentially invasive garden
plants in Australia presents a significant risk to the agricultural industry and Australia’s
environment. This risk includes:
• 393 (54%) of 720 naturalised invasive garden plants

• 72 (40%) of the 178 invasive garden plants declared or noxious by one or more Australian
States or Territories
• 9 (25%) of the 36 invasive plant species on the list of the100 World’s Worst Invasive Alien
Species
• 5 (25%) of the 20 Weeds of National Significance (WONS)
• 4 (14%) of the 28 species on the Alert List of Environmental Weeds (excluding 2 non-
naturalised species, which are also available for sale)
• 10 (20%) of the 49 weed species known to be impacting on Rare or Threatened Australian
Plants (ROTAP)
• 4 (8%) of the 48 weeds of greatest significance to the grazing industries
• 8 (33%) of the 24 emerging weeds that are potential problems to the grazing industries.
Of concern is the large number of declared invasive garden plants that are primarily agricultural
or ruderal weeds that remain available for sale. The most affected states and territories are
Queensland (50.0%), Western Australia (33.3%) followed by Victoria (26.3%), South Australia
(25.0%) and Tasmania (25.0%).
The ten most serious invasive plants being sold currently by Australian nurseries are Asparagus
fern, Broom, Fountain grass, Gazania, Glory lily, Hybrid mother of millions, Japanese
honeysuckle, Pepper tree, Periwinkle and Sweet pittosporum.
In NSW, the ten most serious invasive garden plants available for sale are Banana passion fruit,
Broom, Cat’s claw creeper, Glory lily, Holly leaved senecio, Hybrid mother of millions, Lippia,
Madiera vine, Mother of millions, and Yerba de hicotea. For Queensland, the ten are Coreopsis,
Glory lily, Guava, Japanese honeysuckle, Mickey Mouse plant, Murraya, Parrot’s feather, Pink
periwinkle, Taro and Yellow allamanda. For South Australia, the ten are Aleppo pine, Desert
ash, Fountain grass, Gazania, Golden wreath wattle, Kikuyu grass, Olive, Periwinkle, Topped
lavender, and Weeping willow. For Tasmania, the ten are Asparagus fern, Blue psoralea,
Broom, Cape Leeuwin wattle, Himalayan honeysuckle, Holly, Looking glass bush, Radiata
pine, Sweet pittosporum, and Tree heath. For Victoria, the ten are African lovegrass, Asparagus
fern, Gazania, Horsetails, Mexican feather grass, Oxalis, Pepper tree, Periwinkle, Prickly pear,
and Spanish heath. For Western Australia, the ten are Arum lily, Black flag, Broadleaf pepper
8 WWF-Australia
tree, Coastal tea tree, Freesia, Spotted gum, Sweet pittosporum, Sydney golden wattle,
Watsonia, and Weeping white broom. For the Australian Capital Territory, the ten are Black
locust, Broom (Cytisus species), Broom (Genista species), Cotoneaster, Firethorn, Japanese
honeysuckle, Lombardy poplar, Olive, Radiata pine, and White poplar. For the Top End of the
Northern territory, the ten are African tulip, Candle bush, Clumping fishtail palm, Golden
shower, Neem, Poinciana, Rubbervine, Snakeweeds, White teak, and Yellow bells. For arid
Northern Territory, the ten are American cotton palm, Couch grass, Fountain grass, Himalayan
raintree, Hybrid mother of millions, Lead tree, Mayne’s pest, Pepper tree, Umbrella sedge, and
White cedar.
Many other major invasive plants (both introduced and native to Australia) are available for sale
by nurseries in different States or Territories and are described in the report. This includes plants
that are recommended for national eradication, or those that are declared noxious and been
eradicated from only one State or one region of a State.
Many of the invasive garden plants likely to become future weeds are in private or public
gardens, and some are already naturalised in Australia. Examples include Mexican feathergrass,
a close relative of Serrated tussock, and Spanish thistle, both of which have been detected for
sale recently in several nurseries in southern Australia. The former is now naturalised in NSW.
Their combined cost to Australian agriculture if they become invasive is estimated to be $83
million.
It is of concern that some species that are declared noxious (mainly for their impact on
agriculture) or known to be impacting agricultural ecosystems in some way are still available for
sale from Australian nurseries. For example, over a third of the invasive garden plants declared
noxious in Western Australia (40.4%) and Queensland (35.1%) are available for sale in other
jurisdictions. In some cases weeds declared noxious and prohibited from sale in one state may
not have the same status in another state. But while plants can be freely moved interstate, such a
situation becomes untenable nationally. For instance, Lantana camara is both declared noxious
and prohibited from sale in Queensland but in neighbouring northern NSW it is still for sale by
some nurseries.
The report shows that states and territories generally have low rates of prohibiting for sale those
invasive and potentially invasive garden plants naturalised in their respective jurisdiction. ACT
is far the weakest jurisdiction with 0.0% followed by Western Australia with 9.9%, Victoria
with 11.2%, and Tasmania with 14.5%. The best performing state and territory was the Northern
Territory, which prohibited the sale of about 4 out of every 10 (41.3%) of the invasive garden
plant species naturalised in its jurisdiction, followed by Queensland with 22.2%.
The results presented clearly show that a number of invasive garden plants that are known to
impact directly on native plants and natural ecosystems are currently available for sale from
Australian nurseries. These results have serious implications for the biodiversity status of native
plants and natural ecosystems in Australia. The availability for sale of those invasive garden
plants is especially dire for those for which an eradication program has been recommended.
Money spent on an eradication program will be wasted if the same plants are still available for
sale and potentially able to re-invade managed areas.
WWF-Australia 9
Recommendations for the future
Seven recommendations are proposed to lessen the overall impact of invasive plant
species deliberately introduced for horticulture and currently available for sale.
The first four recommendations arise directly from this report. They are:
Recommendation 1. At least 80 species that are currently available for sale should
be prohibited nationally from sale as an urgent priority. These include the species
that are Weeds Of National Significance, species on the Alert List, the species
that are declared or noxious, and the 10 species that impact on ROTAP species.
Recommendation 2. The ten most important species available for sale currently in
Australia should be prohibited from sale nationally from July 1, 2005.
Recomendation 3. Many other invasive garden plants nominated by individual

states, territories or regions should be added progressively to the list of weeds
prohibited from sale nationally.
Recommendation 4. Amendments or new regulations to the current Environment

Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (Federal) should be considered, to
allow national prohibition of the sale of specific invasive garden plants known to be
major weeds and to ensure uniformity between all States and Territories.
The following three pro-active recommendations will further reduce the future
impacts of invasive garden plants and promote responsibility shared between
government, weed managers and the wider Australian community.
Recommendation 5. Voluntary associations between nursery groups and weed

managers at the local and regional levels should be fostered to increase the
number and effectiveness of future associations.
Recommendation 6. Bushland areas adjoining peri-urban settlements around

Australian cities should be actively and regularly searched by experienced
botanists and trained community volunteers to detect and eradicate newly
naturalised plant species that have already ‘jumped the garden fence’.
Recommendation 7. Increased resources should be provided to advance the

awareness of the Australian community to the negative impacts that many
established and emerging weeds are having on natural and agricultural
ecosystems and will have in the future, focusing especially on those already
growing in Australian private and public gardens.
If the number of invasive garden plants known to be naturalised and available for
sale can be decreased, then the number of future weeds impacting Australian
ecosystems, both natural and agricultural, should eventually also be reduced.
10 WWF-Australia
Chapter 1. Introduction
Purpose
To outline the role and means by which ornamental plants impact on natural and agricultural
ecosystems and document invasive plants recently and currently available for sale by the nursery
industry nationally and by state or territory.
Context and key issues

About 2780 plants are now established in the wild in Australia (Virtue et al. 2004) and the number is
increasing by about 10 species per year (Groves et al. 1997). Two thirds of the species in the
introduced flora that have naturalised over the last 25 years have been deliberately introduced for
ornamental horticulture (Groves et al. 1997). This report aims to characterise the weed impacts of
species introduced as ornamentals and suggest ways in which negative impacts may be minimised in
future.
Key definitions of terms and categories

Naturalised species: species from outside the region in question that can maintain populations in the
wild without cultivation.
Invasive plants: naturalised species that are spreading.
Weed: species that adversely affect biodiversity, the economy or society.
Environmental weed: This term refers to those naturalised plant species that have invaded areas of
native vegetation. The species are presumed to impact negatively on native species diversity or
ecosystem function. Environmental weeds are usually non-native species, although native plant
species that are invasive beyond their indigenous range are also included.
Noxious plant: A formally declared weed. The declaration of ‘noxiousness’ always implies the need
for active management to reduce the negative impact of the particular plant species on human
activities.
Weeds Of National Significance (WONS): A list of twenty species, nominated under the National
Weeds Strategy of 1997, which require a national (trans-boundary) effort to tackle their management.
These weeds affect extensive land use systems such as conservation areas and grazing systems, rather
than cropping systems.
Overview
The primary focus of this report is to determine the numbers and status of naturalised invasive plants
that are still available for sale by nurseries.
We discuss firstly the stages and pathways for invasion (Chapter 2) and the history of plant invasions
in Australia (Chapter 3). Some of the impacts environmental weeds are known to be having on
Australian biodiversity and agricultural ecosystems are presented in Chapter 4. Chapter 5 analyses the
present situation in terms of invasive garden plants currently available for sale; it follows previous
attempts of Roush et al. (1999) and of Randall (2001). In Chapter 6 we make some recommendations
for the better management of plant imports and sales of deliberately introduced ornamental plants to
reduce the number of future weeds.
Although this report tries to separate environmental and agricultural weeds (because the two groups of
weeds are administered by different federal departments), a discussion stresses the point that the many
species belong to both categories, as indeed can noxious plants and WONS and other invasive plant
categories. There is some overlap between several of the weed categories.
WWF-Australia 11
Chapter 2. Stages and Pathways for Invasion
The invasion process
Although plant invasion is a continuous process, at least three stages can be identified:
1. The introduction stage commences with the arrival of a ‘new’ species to a region.
Introduction may occur either accidentally, for instance as a contaminant of imported seed, or
deliberately, for agriculture or for ornamental value or perhaps simply to remind settlers of
‘home’. Some of the species thus introduced will spread from where they were planted and
colonise their new environment by establishing permanently; many other introduced species
will fail to reproduce and may disappear. Others, such as camellias and azaleas, may
reproduce but never spread. An example of an invasive garden plant at the introduction stage
is Bear-skin fescue, an ornamental tussock grass and known grazing and environmental weed,
introduced into Australia in about 2003 (see Box 5 on pg 32).
2. Those plant species that reproduce naturally without cultivation are at the naturalisation
stage. An example is Mexican feather grass, an ornamental tussock grass and known grazing
and environmental weed, introduced into Australia in 1996 and which naturalised in 2004 (see
Box 4 on pg 31).
3. In turn, some of the naturalised flora will spread widely and enter the invasive stage. When
invasive plants interfere in some way with human activities they are termed weeds – a sub-
group of invasive plants. Examples include Lippia, which is now a rapidly expanding grazing
and environmental weed (see Box 3 on pg 30) and Patersons curse, which is a widespread
grazing and environmental weed (see Box 2 on pg 29).
Transition rates through the stages
Quantitative studies on the transition from introduction to naturalisation are limited by a general lack
of documentation of introduction dates, whereas records of plant naturalisations are recorded on dated
herbarium specimens or printed in regional floras and are thus citable. Furthermore, the time from the
introduction stage (cultivation of a species) to its naturalisation stage varies from less than 20 years to
as many as 300+ years for some woody ornamentals. This variable period between introduction and
naturalisation means that many species (especially long-lived woody plants) already introduced to
Australia may yet naturalise and some may yet become invasive. Whilst dates of introduction are
usually unknown for some of Australia’s major weeds, information on their dates of naturalisation is
always available; such data form the basis of most analyses of Australia’s non-native flora (e.g.
Groves et al. 2003).
As a rule of thumb, probably only about 10% of the introduced flora will ever become naturalised
(Williamson & Fitter 1996). Of these, about 10%, i.e. roughly 1% of the introduced flora, will
become weeds. This rate is higher, however, for plants introduced intentionally for agricultural and
forestry purposes (Virtue et al. 2004).
Different categories of weeds
Environmental weeds (see definitions in previous chapter). Native species are becoming
more significant as environmental weeds as Australian plants are used more widely both in
horticulture and in re-vegetation projects (Groves 2001). Environmental weeds are distinguished
12 WWF-Australia
from other weeds by the ecosystem they affect but the same plant species may be invasive in both
natural and agricultural ecosystems.
Alert List species: A subset of the environmental weed group includes species known to have
distributions confined to particular regions of Australia and thus amenable to containment or even
eradication. This subgroup has been published as an Alert List (DEH 2004) and the species are
termed Alert List species. Some of these are introduced species that are yet to become
naturalised.
Groves et al. (2003) identified a further subset of naturalised species that impact directly on
ANZECC-rated Rare Or Threatened Australian Plants (ROTAP species).
Noxious plant: The term applies throughout Australia, in that this category is enacted by
legislation in each state or territory for particular invasive species. Not all noxious plants,
however, are declared for every state or territory. For instance, an invasive plant species of the
wet tropics may be declared noxious in Queensland, the Northern Territory and in northwest
Western Australia, but not in the temperate southern states in which the species’ risk of becoming
invasive may be negligible. In some states, a plant may be declared noxious in parts of the state
only. The declaration of ‘noxiousness’ always implies the need for active management to reduce
the negative impact of the particular plant species on human activities. Historically, noxious
species impact mainly on agricultural ecosystems although increasingly with time this distinction
is no longer valid and many are impacting on natural ecosystems as well. Some noxious species
even impact primarily on human health (e.g. Wall pellitory, Parietaria judaica).
WONS: To address Goal 2 of the National Weeds Strategy (Anon. 1999), some invasive plant
species, with mostly widespread distributions in Australia, were accepted in a special category of
Weeds Of National Significance (WONS). Ten of the 20 WONS species are weeds of
horticultural origin, though 16 in total have been cultivated for ornamental horticulture. The
technical criteria behind the establishment of this relatively new category are described in Virtue
et al. (2002).
NAQS species: A further group of species (not necessarily yet naturalised in Australia,
although some are) are targeted by the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) Northern
Australia Quarantine Strategy and are termed NAQS weed target species.
Garden thugs: Randall (2001) listed naturalised species that he considered were particularly
invasive garden plants, which collectively were termed Garden thugs. Randall’s list aimed to
assist gardeners to make more informed decisions about their proposed plantings and also to
identify quickly (and hopefully remove) new weed threats in their region. This list highlighted the
large proportion of naturalised species in Australia having horticultural origins (Randall 2001).
Numbers in the different categories
Australia has about 27,000 introduced plant species , about 2,779 of which are known to have
naturalised (see Table 1) (Virtue et al. 2004). Within the naturalised flora, the total number regarded
as weeds is highly subjective and, depending on the observer, ranges from all introduced species, to all
naturalised species, to a subset of the latter. Somewhat more objectively, a total of 429 naturalised
species are either declared noxious or else under some form of active control in Australia (Table 7 of
Groves et al. 2003). Of Randall’s 958 Garden thugs, 170 had been declared noxious by 1999 (Randall
2001). There are 28 Alert List species and 20 WONS (Fig. 1). A group of a further 41 species is
targeted by NAQS, some of which are naturalised.
WWF-Australia 13
In addition, Groves et al. (2003) identified a sub-group of 34 species that impacted on natural
ecosystems and a further 27 on agricultural ecosystems, for both of which a national containment or
eradication program seemed appropriate and was recommended.
INTRODUCED SPECIES
27,000
NATURALISED SPECIES
~2779
DECLARED/ GARDEN ALERT ROTAP WONS NAQS

NOXIOUS THUGS LIST SPP. TARGETS
429 958 28 49 20 41
Figure 1. The stages of plant invasions with numbers of species known for Australia
for the different stages (based on data of R.P. Randall, pers. comm. & 2001; Virtue et
al. 2002; Groves et al. 2003, DEH 2004; Virtue et al. 2004 ). For definitions of the terms
used see above text.
14 WWF-Australia
Weed Status by Industry Sector
The three major industry sectors that use plant introductions in Australia are agriculture, forestry and
gardening. The gardening industry is by far the dominant sector introducing new plant species. Table 1
shows that 94% of the 27,009 introduced plant species imported into Australia were for ornamental
horticultural purposes. Of these, 2,520 are listed as weeds in Australia and 1,831 are naturalised.
Invasive garden plant species are by far the largest source of agricultural and environmental weeds,
comprising 69% of the 954 listed agricultural weeds and 72% of the 1,765 listed environmental weeds
(Virtue et al 2004).
Table 1. Weed status by industry sector of exotic plant species introduced to

Australia, April 2004. (from Table 2 compiled by R. Randall in Virtue et al. (2004)
Industry sector No. of NaturalisedA WeedsB AgriculturalC NoxiousD weeds Natural Combined
species weeds EcosystemE Agricultural,
introduced weeds Noxious &
(I) Natural
Ecosystem
weedsF
No. % of I No. % of I No. % of I No. % of I No. % of No. % of
I I
Food Crops 221 85 38 105 48 26 12 8 4 55 25 58 26
Pasture (Poaceae) 490 150 31 180 37 82 17 7 1 116 24 124 25

Pasture (Fabaceae) 499 163 33 196 39 66 13 11 2 115 23 126 25
Pasture (the rest) 97 36 37 41 42 11 11 3 3 20 21 23 24
Total Pasture 1 086 349 32 417 38 159 15 21 2 251 23 273 25
ForestryG 633 149 24 226 36 35 6 30 5 103 16 108 17
Gardening 25 360 1 831 7 2 520 10 660 3 273 1 1 279 5 1 366 5
AccidentalH 207 186 90 185 99 84 45 24 13 121 65 141 76

Accidental & 1 051 776 74 828 79 443 42 137 13 592 56 640 61
IntentionalI
Total IntroducedJ 27 009 2 779 10 3 480 13 954 4 343 1 1 765 7 1 953 7

A
Specimens lodged in Australian herbaria (Hosking 2003; Randall 2004).
B
Listed as weeds in Australia in various texts (Randall 2002, Randall 2004).
C
From Groves et al. (2003) and Randall (2004).
D
From www.weeds.org.au
E
Species cited as “Environmental Weeds” in Randall (2004).
F
This is less than the sum of all weed types as some species occur as more than one type.
G
This includes species used for forestry purposes overseas but not currently in commercial production in Australia (Randall
2004).
H
Species cited as “Contaminants” (e.g., of imported grain, fodder, ballast, packing materials, livestock) in Randall (2004).
I
This is the upper limit of accidental introductions. Species are likely to have been introduced to Australia as contaminants, but
are also known to have been deliberately cultivated in Australia (Randall 2004).
J
This is less than the sum of all industry sectors as some species occur in more than one sector.
WWF-Australia 15
Chapter 3. Two Hundred Years Plus of Plant

Invasions in Australia
Early introductions
When Aborigines arrived in Australia more than 40 000 years ago they do not seem to have brought
any plant propagules with them. The first known plant to arrive and establish and become naturalised
in Australia was Tamarind (Tamarindus indica). It was associated with the visits of Macassans who
came from the South Celebes and camped on the northern shores of Australia to collect the marine
animal ‘trepang’ or ‘beche-de-mer’. On their annual voyages over a 200 year period from about 1700,
the Macassans brought large quantities of tamarind fruit with them for their own diet. Tamarind is
now spreading naturally along northern Australian coasts and its presence can no longer be used to
indicate former Macassan campsites (Macknight 1976).
Accurate historical records of plant introductions since European settlement date from the arrival of
the first fleet in 1788, followed by the first comprehensive botanical reconnaissance of the Australian
coast conducted by Robert Brown in 1802, during Matthew Flinders’ voyage of circumnavigation.
Between 1802 and 1804, Brown collected 29 species of introduced plants in the Sydney region,
including such well known weeds as Greater plantain (Plantago major), Musky storksbill (Erodium
moschatum), Purple loosestrife (Lythrum hyssopifolium) and Annual poa (Poa annua) (Groves 2002).
All Brown’s 29 species were of European origin; they had presumably been introduced to Sydney in
the 14 years since 1788 as accidental seed contaminants in soil, stock feed and crop seed supplies from
England or, in the case of four crop species, deliberately (Frost 1993). Some of Brown’s species were
noted as occurring in gardens, e.g. Common mouse-eared chickweed (Cerastium vulgare) that Brown
found in George Caley’s garden at Parramatta (Maiden 1916). Many of the species listed by Robert
Brown were also present in South Australia prior to 1855 (Kloot 1985) and at least 10 of the 29 were
in Tasmania prior to 1878 (Rozefelds et al. 1999). So began the invasion process for plants; it has
continued ever since.
Quantitative aspects
The rate of increase in the number of naturalised plant species in four Australian States (South
Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland) is linear over the period 1870 to 1980, with
from about four to six species naturalising per state per year over those 110 years (Fig. 2a) (Specht
1981). More recently, Groves et al. (1997) showed an increase in that base rate for the number of
species naturalising for all of Australia over 25 years from 1971-1995 (Fig. 2b). We conclude that the
rate of naturalisation is increasing. The next wave of plant invasions and naturalisations will most
probably occur from plant species already introduced to Australia.
The few quantitative analyses of Australia’s naturalised flora show that about two thirds of the total
number of naturalised species have been introduced deliberately. For instance, of the 729 species in
the South Australian naturalised flora for which information exists (80% of the total 904 species
recorded at that time), 70 % were introduced deliberately (Kloot 1987). More than half of these
deliberate introductions were as woody ornamental plants, although some were introduced as fodder,
culinary, hedge or medicinal plants (in that order of importance – see Table 2).
16 WWF-Australia
(a)
(b)
Figure 2. (a) Number of naturalised plant species in the four Australian States of
Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia 1870-1980 (Fig. 14 of
Specht 1981); (b) Number of plant taxa naturalising in Australia for each five-year
period between 1971 and 1995 (Fig. 4 of Groves et al. 1998).
WWF-Australia 17
Means of introduction
Mulvaney (1991) analysed historic records in nursery catalogues of species introduced for ornamental
horticulture to four Australian cities (Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Adelaide) and found that
more woody species were introduced deliberately than were herbs – a result that reflects the
predominance of woody species from the very earliest years of European settlement (Frost 1993). A
more recent analysis of the Australian naturalised flora as a whole showed that about two thirds of the
total number of species that had naturalised between 1971 and 1995 had been originally introduced
deliberately, mostly for ornamental horticulture (Groves et al. 1997) (Figure 3). Whilst some of
Australia’s most invasive plants have indeed been introduced accidentally – as contaminants of seed or
ballast, for example – the majority has been introduced deliberately, mostly as woody ornamental
plants.
Table 2. The means of introduction of the naturalised species of South Australia (from
Kloot 1987)
_______________________________________________________________________
Deliberately introduced
Documented Suspected Total
___________________________________________________
Ornamentals 319 40 359
Fodder plants 58 17 75
Culinary plants 43 1 44
Hedges 14 - 14
Medicinals 8 5 13
Other 9 1 10
____ ___ ____
Total 451 64 515
________________________________________________
Unintentionally introduced
Confirmed Possible Total
_________________________________________________
Attached to stock 4 88 92
Contaminated seed 16 41 57
Ballast plants 7 36 43
Contaminated footwear - 11 11
Contaminated fodder 3 3 6
Other 5 - 5
____ ____ ___
Total 35 179 214
_______________________________________________
No information 175
Grand Total 904
18 WWF-Australia
Figure 3. Means of introduction of those plant species naturalising in Australia

between 1971 and 1995 (Fig. 7 of Groves et al. 1998).
For the flora of Auckland, New Zealand, numbers of naturalisations were assigned to definite periods
of time since European settlement. Esler & Astridge (1987) showed that the number of naturalised
species deliberately introduced for ornamental horticulture had increased proportionally with time. By
1987 this subgroup constituted an increasingly higher percentage of all naturalisations than for earlier
periods (Figure 4). Although there are no strictly comparable data for Australia, Mulvaney’s 1991
analysis (see above) showed that, while three quarters of the woody plants recorded as growing in
early Sydney (up to 1810) were introduced economic plants that could be used for food, medicine, dye
or building materials, the proportion of ornamental woody plants that after naturalisation became
environmental weeds increased with time. Hedge plants in particular often spread from urban
plantings (see Box 1 on pg. 20).
Figure 4. Rates of naturalisation of accidental, horticultural, and agricultural plant

introductions to urban Auckland for six periods of naturalisation (Fig. 1 of Esler &
Astridge 1987). Note the increasing proportion of deliberate horticultural
introductions that have naturalised since 1940.
WWF-Australia 19
Box 1: Canberra’s hedges – a case study of ornamentals emerging as weeds
‘I’ve just noticed how yellow some of the trees are – leaves are bright and you’ve got
no idea how pretty they look amongst the red-leaved trees, hedges with scarlet berries
and pale green firs (sic). It’s awfully beautiful.’
(Edwin Charles in a letter to his mother, 2 March 1937)
Canberra, as the National Capital, was modeled on the English garden cities of Wellwyn
and Letchworth where hedges were a prominent element in the streetscape. This
concept was confirmed by building regulations developed by the Federal Capital
Commission which prohibited front fences, and promoted hedges as part of the ‘garden
city’ image.
A list of plantings at Acton Nursery in Canberra in 1912 included the following species for
use as hedge plants: Ligustrum sinense, L. japonicum, L. lucidum, L. ‘Golden City’,
L. vulgare, Cotoneaster simonsii, C. microphylla, Crataegus pyracantha, C. crenulata,
Photinia serrulata, Euonymus japonica aurea, E. marginata and Berberis vulgaris.
By 1950 the approximate length of hedges in Canberra city was 143 km. Of the 350
streets listed for 13 suburbs in the Capital, 92 streets were planted with Pyracantha spp.,
55 with Ligustrum spp. and 27 with Cotoneaster spp. There were 53 streets planted with
Photinia serrulata (syn. P. serratifolia), 12 with Euonymus spp., 3 with Arbutus unedo, 2
with Ilex aquifolium and 2 with Berberis thunbergii (Hince 1992). All of these species are
now regarded as either invasive garden plants and/or environmental weeds.
Initially, front hedges were pruned twice a year by the Government and this probably
reduced the number of flowers and fruits which developed. Following a Ministerial
decision in 1954 that decreed that hedges would no longer be cut at departmental
expense, some people removed their hedges rather than face the chore of cutting them,
while other residents allowed them to grow freely. Flowering and fruiting thus increased.
By 1991, results of an environmental weed survey of the ACT showed that many of the
species formerly grown as hedge plants had become established and were spreading in
bushland.
By 2001 all species of Ligustrum, Cotoneaster and Pyracantha were declared ‘Pest
Plants’ under Section 1 of the Land (Planning and Environment) Act 1991. Declaration
does not require the immediate removal of these plants from gardens or prohibit them
from sale. It does, however, require preparation of a management plan to control the
spread of declared species. In addition, management plans are required to secure
funding for their control.
A Bush Friendly Nursery scheme was introduced, also in 2001, when nurseries agreed to
discontinue stocking a list of plants developed by Weedbusters ACT. The list includes all
species of Ligustrum, Cotoneaster and Pyracantha. Monitoring of nurseries and other
outlets is carried out together with educational programs. These include promotion of
alternative species by the ACT Heritage Council for early Canberra gardens in declared
heritage areas and also ‘weed swaps’ where people may exchange weeds for non-weedy
species at waste disposal centres. Some problems with hedge plants still remain,
however.
20 WWF-Australia
Chapter 4. Negative Impacts of Invasive Garden

Plants
(a) IMPACTS ON AUSTRALIAN BIODIVERSITY
Species extinctions
Extinction of a native species is the end point of a long multi-stage process of ecological change along
which there are identifiable ‘milestones’ that impact on biodiversity. Internationally, competition
from introduced species is claimed to be a significant step associated with loss of native species (King
1987). Another factor, sequenced as another milestone, is fragmentation of species range as a result of
land clearing and other human activities (King 1987). In Australia, recent state legislation has
reduced, at least legislatively, the significance of land clearing and consequent fragmentation of rural
landscapes as factors in loss of biodiversity. This recent change thus increases the urgency to consider
the case for assessing the impacts of introduced species as one of the major factors, if not the major
factor, in continuing and future loss of native biodiversity.
Table 3. The thirteen milestones on the road to extinction (after King, 1987)
1. Discovery and scientific description of the species

2. Continuous decrease in numbers
3. Habitat loss
4. SIGNIFICANT FRAGMENTATION OF RANGE OR CONTRACTION OF
DISTRIBUTION
5. Over-exploitation and crash
6. Profound reduction in reproductive success
7. Curtailment of seasonal cycles
8. EXCESSIVE COMPETITION FROM INTRODUCED SPECIES
9. Hybridization and genetic swamping
(10, 11 and 12 omitted)
13. Extinction
In this section we present some documented examples of the effects of a deliberately introduced
invasive plant on native species loss and hence on biodiversity. We also discuss several instances of
the effects of deliberately introduced invasive plants on different taxonomic groups of species to show
that most documented impacts are overwhelmingly negative. Based on such documentation we point
to the implications of these cases to future loss of biodiversity, especially native plant diversity, as a
result of past and present deliberate introductions of plants to Australia for ornamental horticultural
purposes.
For the last 20 years or so in Australia, studies have concentrated on individual rare or endangered
species and the ecological factors that may threaten the continued viability of plant populations (see,
e.g., Groves & Ride 1982). For native plants, responsibility for this aspect lies with the Federal
Department of Environment & Heritage, who presently maintains a database of rare or threatened
species. Leigh & Briggs (1992) analysed the numerical incidence of various environmental threats to
this group of plants. Of the 88 native plant species known to be extinct, the majority (77 species) were
presumed extinct because of grazing and agriculture (Table 4), whilst weed competition was listed as
the presumed cause of extinction for only 4 species (i.e. 4.5%). Other presumed causes of extinction
were industrial and urban development (3 species) and roadworks (1 species).
WWF-Australia 21
Relative to past presumed causes, the present and future threat to species endangerment posed by
competition from weeds was significantly greater (Leigh & Briggs 1992). Of the 441 native plant
species classed as endangered in 1992, 57 (or 13 %) were threatened by weed competition. Only ‘low
population numbers’ and ‘grazing and agriculture’ surpassed the present and future threats to species
survival posed by weed competition (Table 4). Leigh and Briggs’ data apply at the national level; in
some specific cases, these national trends are magnified at either local or regional levels. We conclude
that the impact of weed competition is an increasingly major threat to survival of native plant species.
Two examples of this threat follow.
Table 4. The numbers of presumed extinct and endangered plant species in the
Australian flora in relation to a variety of environmental threats (from Leigh & Briggs
1992).
Threat No. presumed extinct spp. No. endangered spp.

________________________________________________
Presumed cause Past Present & future
threat threat
________________________________________________________________________
Low numbers 0 10 85
Roadworks 1 8 57
Weed competition 4 12 57
Grazing and agriculture 77 163 110
Industry & urban development 3 20 21
Fire frequency 0 10 17
Other 3 48 94
22 WWF-Australia
Endangerment of native plant species by a weed – two examples
1. An orchid (Pterostylis arenicola) endangered by Bridal creeper (Asparagus asparagoides)
The Sandhill greenhood (Pterostylis arenicola) is an endangered species now restricted nationally to
three small populations in South Australia, two of which are near Tailem Bend and Poltalloch with the
third on a golf course in suburban Adelaide. This terrestrial orchid emerges from tubers in about June
of each year, produces a flat rosette of green leaves over the winter before it flowers in September-
October and dies back in November-December (Sorensen & Jusaitis 1995). The orchid populations at
Tailem Bend and Poltalloch are endangered by the weed Bridal creeper (Asparagus asparagoides).
Bridal creeper was deliberately introduced from South Africa at least 120 years ago for floricultural
purposes. It is now naturalised in many southern Australian ecosystems, including coastal vegetation
and mallee shrubland (as at Tailem Bend). Bridal creeper is generally regarded as one of the most
serious environmental weeds of southern Australia and is a Weed of National Significance (WONS).
Below-ground, in established infestations, Bridal creeper forms a network of ‘roots’ (rhizomatous
tubers) that bear numerous fleshy tubers which entwine to form a dense, impenetrable mat, about 5-10
cm deep in the soil. New season’s shoots appear annually in autumn from this underground tuber
mass and quickly smother other vegetation. After flowering in early spring, numerous red berries
attract birds in late spring. The creeping shoots are deciduous over dry summers.
At Tailem Bend there was an average of more than 40 orchids per m2 in the absence of Bridal creeper
but when the weed was present that level was reduced to about 10 per m2 (Sorensen & Jusaitis 1995)
(Fig. 5). It is likely that this strongly negative impact is because both species actively grow from a
tuberous rootstock over autumn and winter and both also fruit and die back during spring and summer
at the site. These similarities in growth and development complicate the management of Bridal
creeper, as the opportunities to apply herbicide without affecting the orchid are limited. However, in a
program of biological control, the release of a rust (Puccinia myrsiphylli) specific to Bridal creeper
may gradually lessen the negative impact of Bridal creeper on orchid numbers in the longer term, and
hence allow for population recovery of the orchid.
Figure 5. Numbers of Sand-hill greenhood (Pterostylis arenicolor) with and without

Bridal creeper (Asparagus asparagoides) at Tailem Bend, SA (from Sorensen &
Jusaitis 1995).
WWF-Australia 23
2. A native shrub (Pimelea spicata) also endangered by Bridal creeper (Asparagus

asparagoides)
Pimelea spicata is a small shrub growing to about 50 cm that bears terminal spikes of pink-white
flowers from September to May. It reproduces mainly from seed but it also possesses a thick tap root
that enables re-sprouting after fire and other disturbances. This species was once widespread in
southeastern New South Wales, but habitat fragmentation (‘milestone 4’ – see earlier) now restricts
P. spicata to about 25 separate populations on the Cumberland Plain south-west of Sydney and a few
along the Illawarra coast. The species is in danger of extinction unless adequate conservation
strategies are initiated soon (Briggs & Leigh 1996).
Competition from several environmental weeds (‘milestone 8’ - see earlier), including St John’s wort
(Hypericum perforatum), Bitou bush (Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. rotundata), Blackberry
(Rubus fruticosus agg.), Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) and the afore-mentioned Bridal creeper
threaten many populations of P. spicata. Such competition may, if not managed, hasten the extinction
of several localised populations of the native species P. spicata.
Of all the weed species impacting on Pimelea spicata populations, Bridal creeper poses the primary
threat to survival of the largest populations at several sites, including one comprising about one-
quarter of all remaining P. spicata individuals. At this site, near Camden, NSW, Bridal creeper
currently co-occurs with about 60% of the P. spicata adults (Willis, pers. comm.), completely
smothering some, and occurring at relatively low densities alongside some others.
Below ground, Bridal creeper roots compete with Pimelea spicata for nutrients, water and ‘space’,
even after the shoot canopy of Bridal creeper has died back (see earlier). Indeed, preliminary evidence
that the presence of Bridal creeper roots, irrespective of shoots, limits the germination of P. spicata
(Willis, pers. comm.) implies that the relative impact of root competition may be greater than that of
shoot competition, especially for the early stages in the life history of P. spicata.
Control methods for Bridal creeper that limit formation of new tubers and shorten the longevity of
existing ones will reduce the threat posed at all sites, but only if they operate in the medium or longer
terms, e.g. by the action of the slow-acting rust for biological control mentioned earlier. Information
on the impacts of various other methods of control, e.g. herbicide application, fire, soil disturbance and
clearing, on both species is also necessary before effective threat abatement plans can be developed for
P. spicata threatened by Bridal creeper.
Discussion
Bridal creeper is one example of a species-species impact of a weed endangering native plants. More
recently, Groves et al. (2003) identified 49 naturalised species, including Bridal creeper, that were
known to be directly impacting native plant species rated as ‘rare’ or ‘threatened’ in the Australian
flora (their Table 5). And there undoubtedly are many others for which the evidence is only now being
gathered and/or published (see, e.g. DEC 2004).
We now consider the evidence for the effects of a further two deliberately introduced plant species on
different groups of native plants and animals by considering ecosystem impacts, rather than the
individual species-species impacts discussed above.
24 WWF-Australia
Changes in species groups in a natural ecosystem by a weed – two

examples
1. Tropical wetlands and Mimosa pigra
Giant sensitive plant (Mimosa pigra) is a leguminous shrub native to tropical America that was most
probably introduced to the Darwin Botanic Garden in 1891 (Miller & Lonsdale 1987). On the
Adelaide River floodplain, to which plant material was transplanted subsequently, thickets of M. pigra
have displaced native sedgeland that was preferred habitat for many native birds, especially the
endangered Magpie goose (Anseranas semipalmata) . The latter species depended on the native
sedges for nesting and food. Thickets of M. pigra were found to be unsuitable for Magpie geese, to
have lower overall bird and lizard abundances, less herbaceous vegetation and fewer native tree
seedlings than uninvaded natural vegetation (Braithwaite et al. 1989). All these different taxonomic
groupings of organisms were negatively impacted by the presence of the weed. There seemed to be no
effect of M. pigra on frog numbers (a neutral impact) and a positive impact of M. pigra on numbers of
the rare marsupial mouse Sminthopsis virginiae, which probably gains from the provision of shelter
from predators and from an enhanced high-protein seed supply (Braithwaite & Lonsdale 1987).
This example shows that any simple consideration of the impacts of a major weed such as Mimosa
pigra on numbers of native plant species as a measure of biodiversity value may be complicated by
some compensatory effects on other biota in the invaded ecosystem. It provides a good example of the
inadequacy of considering only certain species or certain trophic levels when considering impacts of
environmental weeds on biodiversity. On balance, the impacts of M. pigra on native biodiversity are
overwhelmingly negative.
2. Arid riverine woodlands and Tamarix aphylla
River systems in arid Australia are prone to flooding at irregular intervals. One such severe flood
occurred in the Finke River in central Australia in 1974 that led to marked changes in the biodiversity
of the woodlands bordering the river system downstream. Seed of the deliberately introduced tree
Tamarisk (Tamarix aphylla) was carried down in floodwaters from homesteads where it had been
planted for shade; it soon established readily in the riverine woodlands dominated by River red gum
(Eucalyptus camaldulensis). Within 15 years of the flood, T. aphylla had become an environmental
weed, in the sense that it was having a negative effect on regeneration of the River red gum and
markedly changing the floristic composition of the ground vegetation (Griffin et al. 1989). In terms of
numbers of other biota in the riverine ecosystem, there were negative impacts of the weed on the
numbers of reptiles and on most bird groups although it had a positive effect on the numbers of aerial
insectivorous birds. There seemed to be no effect of the weed on numbers of granivorous bird species
(Griffin et al. 1989).
There were also effects on ecosystem attributes that were either negative or positive depending on the
measure considered – the river hydrology changed, there were fewer logs (and hence less habitat for
reptiles?) and the salt level in the river water increased 20-fold – all negative impacts. The presence of
more litter and the increased levels of shade from the Tamarisk trees (cf. the eucalypts) may be seen as
positive impacts, thereby benefiting those organisms which prefer increased shade. In this central
Australian example, no estimates of native fish abundance were obtained but in an analogous example
of an invasion in arid southwestern United States by the closely related Tamarix ramosissima,
numbers of some already-endangered native fish species were reduced still further (Loope et al. 1988).
This example shows, as does the earlier one for Mimosa pigra, that effects of an invasion by the tree
species Tamarix aphylla on native biodiversity can vary depending on which measure of biodiversity
is chosen. A natural ecosystem, made up of different species and groups of organisms, may be
expected to show a range of relationships between weed invasion and biodiversity value – some
positive, some neutral and most negative (Adair & Groves 1998).
WWF-Australia 25
Both examples also show that deliberate plantings of ornamental woody species having weed potential
some distance upstream from an ecosystem can lead to major change in that ecosystem if the seed is
borne by floodwaters occurring either annually (in the example of M. pigra) or episodically (in the
example of T. aphylla). The widespread plantings of shade-producing Tamarix species around
homesteads throughout inland Australia may pose an environmental hazard whenever episodic floods
occur to carry Tamarix seed to riverine woodlands downstream. A second instance of Tamarix
invasion may be occurring currently in the Gascoyne River catchment near Carnarvon, in Western
Australia, although this awaits documentation in biodiversity terms.
26 WWF-Australia
(b) IMPACTS ON AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURE
Introduction
Weeds influence crop and pasture ecosystems in many ways. The crop systems themselves consist
largely of introduced plants, as few native plants other than Macadamia (M. integrifolia) have been
domesticated. The plant species that form the basis of pasture ecosystems in southern Australia are
also mostly non-native, having been introduced deliberately from mainly Mediterranean Europe. On
the other hand, most of the plants that form the basis of grazing systems in northern (summer-wet) and
central (semi-arid, rangeland) regions are native to those regions, with some major exceptions, e.g.
Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris).
Whereas the negative impacts of deliberately introduced weeds on natural ecosystems are expressed in
terms of decreases in biodiversity, leading in some cases, to species extinctions, the negative impacts
of weeds in agricultural ecosystems are mostly expressed in terms of increased costs to producers and
consumers. The presence of weeds leads to the need to cultivate land for crops or to re-sow pastures,
or to spray with herbicides, or both. Weed presence is associated directly with reductions in crop and
pasture yield and with product contamination. Some weeds may poison animals or lead to poor
animal performance. And each of these aspects incurs a cost which in total amounts to about $4
billion a year (Sinden et al. 2004).
Invasive garden plants that have large impacts on agriculture include Serrated tussock (Nassella
trichotoma), Paterson’s curse (Echium plantagineum) and Lippia (Phyla canescens). Those that have
the potential to cause large impacts to agricultural industries should they ever naturalise and spread
include Bear-skin fescue (Festuca gautieri) and the Horsetails (Equisetum spp.), the latter considered
to be among the world’s worst agricultural weeds (Holm et al. 1977).
Economic aspects
Costs for the negative impacts of a few individual weed species are available. For example, the cost of
serrated tussock in NSW and Victorian pastures is estimated to be in excess of $45 million and
increasing (Jones & Vere 1998; Nicholson et al. 1997). While serrated tussock appears to have been
accidently introduced, it was subsequently cultivated as an ornamental tussock grass (Randall 2004
pers. comm.). With a pattern of increasing resistance to herbicides shown by several crop weeds,
especially the annual grass group, the costs of weeds in crop systems could increase still further.
Financial estimates of the costs of other individual weed species in southern Australian pastures (cf.
crops) are also available for two cases in which biological control of the species was proposed but
faced opposition from some sectors of the Australian community. In each case, there were
demonstrable inter-sectoral conflicts arising from the fact that the two deliberately introduced weeds
had both negative and positive impacts. The first example (see Box 2 on pg. 29 also) concerns
Paterson’s curse (Echium plantagineum) which produces alkaloids that affect liver function in grazing
animals (especially sheep and horses) but which also produces honey with a pale colour preferred by
exporters to the Japanese market. Further, while Paterson’s curse is a serious pasture weed in most
parts of southern Australia, it may be considered as useful fodder for animals in some semi-arid
rangelands, especially in northern South Australia, where its common name is Salvation Jane. A
second and similar example is provided by Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus agg.) where the benefits of
controlling it biologically in pasture were found to far outweigh the small benefits to Tasmanian berry
growers and honey producers. Both examples are of species deliberately introduced for their
horticultural potential but which now impact strongly and negatively on agricultural ecosystems.
Some other negative impacts of weeds on agricultural ecosystems may add to annual costs eventually.
For instance, recent attempts to prevent the incursion of two introduced plant species (Mexican feather
grass, Nassella tenuissima (see Box 4 on pg. 31), and Spanish thistle, Onopordum nervosum) that have
WWF-Australia 27
serious potential to impact negatively on pasture systems in southern Australia were estimated to
generate benefits to agricultural producers of $83 million in 2000-2001 (CIE 2001). This estimate was
based on a reduction in the probability of these weeds becoming naturalised, and thereby a reduction
of potential costs they would impose should they ever become established. At that time, both species
were available only from the nursery industry (as plants or seeds, respectively, for landscaping) but
Mexican feathergrass was recently detected as naturalised (Hosking 2004). The former species was
not only being sold by a nursery in Victoria in February 2004 but at the same time it was being
actively promoted by horticultural journalists in Australia and the UK, while the latter species was
actively promoted by a popular gardening program on television.
The four boxes below outline the actual or potential agricultural impacts from three escaped garden
plants at different stages of their invasion process. The first is Paterson’s curse, which is a widely
established weed. The second is Lippia, which is rapidly emerging as a major agricultural weed. The
third is Mexican feathergrass, which has been introduced into Australia but has recently been detected
as naturalised. The fourth is Bear-skin fescue, which was recently permitted for import by the garden
industry and should be of major concern to the grazing industry in temperate Australia.
28 WWF-Australia
Box 2. Paterson’s Curse (Echium plantagineum) - a widespread naturalised invasive

garden plant causing major agricultural impacts
Echium is a genus of about 30 species of annual and biennial herbs native to Europe.
There are about 23 species of the genus represented on the Canary Islands, including
E. plantagineum, although the latter species occurs mainly in Mediterranean Europe where
it may be occasionally weedy. Echium plantagineum has spread to most temperate-
climate regions of the world, including the Americas, South Africa and New Zealand.
The earliest record of introduction of E. plantagineum to Australia is in 1843 to ‘Camden

Park’, the garden and nursery of John and Elizabeth Macarthur near Sydney.
Subsequently, it appeared for sale in various nursery catalogues, e.g. in James Dickinson’s
at Hobart in 1854 and, as the synonym E. lycopsis, in J. & J. Rule’s at Richmond, Victoria,
in 1857 and 1860. It was first recorded as weedy at Gladstone near Port Pirie in South
Australia in 1889 and at Cumberoona, near Albury in NSW in 1890. It had been introduced
to the latter site as a garden plant by the Patterson family; hence one of its common
names, the others being Salvation Jane and Lady Campbell’s weed.
Movement of seeds is its only means of dispersal and although Paterson’s curse is not a
crop weed, it nevertheless contaminates grain. Its spread into Tasmania is believed to be
due to the importation of contaminated grain from the mainland for poultry feed. Seeds are
also transported to new areas in fodder. Seeds may remain dormant in soil for about five
years.
The benefits and costs of Paterson’s curse were presented in detail in a debate during the
1970s and early 80s because of a proposal by CSIRO Entomology to introduce insects
from Europe for biological control of the weed. Those opposed to the introduction argued
the value of Paterson’s curse to the honey industry and as feed for grazing stock. Those in
favour of biological control identified the weed’s toxic properties, its competition with more
desirable pasture species and its irritant properties as major and costly disadvantages. An
independent inquiry into the merits of both the negative and positive impacts of this
biological control of this weed recommened release of insects to control growth and
development of Paterson’s curse on the basis of an economic analysis of the costs ($30
million annually) and benefits ($2 million annually) to Australia (IAC 1985). The debate was
resolved and the biological control program initiated only in 1988 when Victoria
independently introduced, released and distributed to other states the leaf-mining moth
Dialectica scalariella. A number of other insects have since been introduced and chemical
control methods developed subsequently.
Despite the existence of a biological control program for the species, Paterson’s curse
remains a major weed of importance to the grazing industry. The local nature of some
weed problems was highlighted in 2004 by the deaths in Canberra of at least 60 horses
being attributed to poisoning by Paterson’s curse. Intensive media publicity changed
sweeps of purple wildlfowers in an otherwise drought-bared landscape into fields of poison.
A long-time rural problem was suddenly an urban one as well.
WWF-Australia 29
Box 3. Lippia (Phyla canescens) - a major emerging naturalised invasive garden plant
causing serious agricultural impacts
Phyla is a genus of about 15 species of creeping perennial herbs that are sometimes woody
at the base. They root from the stems and form dense mats. The small leaves are opposite
and usually have serrate margins. The small nectar-rich flowers are borne profusely
throughout summer. The genus is native to the warmer regions of the Americas. Some
species of Phyla were formerly called Lippia, hence the common name.
While Phyla nodiflora is considered native to northern Australia, its congener P. canescens
is native to South America. Phyla canescens is present in all mainland States of Australia,
except the Northern Territory (Julien et al. 2004). Lippia invades and dominates areas that
are not under cultivation, which includesperennial pastures, riprarian areas, and roadsides. It
contributes to deep soil drying resulting in bank slumping and erosion, particularly in
cracking clays leading to damage to dam walls, diversion banks, and roads. It appears to be
the major invasive species in the Murray/Darling Basin where it is estimated to infest at least
5% or 5.3 million hectares and this is predicted to increase in response to recent floods.
Lippia thrives on frequent flooding of short duration. The rapid increase in its distribution in
the Condamine catchment, where time series information is available, is set out in Figure 6.
Lippia replaces productive pasture species
1,200
Area of lippia in 1000's hectares
and also decreases grazing productivity, in

certain cases requiring total destocking.
Additionally, a farm’s value is decreased if
800 lippia is present due to reduced roductivity
and the cost of largely ineffective controls
(Lucy et al. 1995; Earl 2003). The weed is
400 estimated to cost the grazing industry $38
million per year, and have an environmental
cost of $1.8 billion per year (Julien et al.
2004).
0
1960 1989 1992 2000 2003 P. nodiflora is naturalised in NSW (where it is
declared noxious) and WA, and is available
Figure 6: The estimated distribution of lippia for sale currently in NSW, Qld, Vic. and WA
in the Condamine catchment (Fig 1 of Julien (Hibbert 2002). One or both species are
et al. 2004 based on data from Mann widely and commonly grown in gardens in
1960;Csurhes 1989; Powell 1992 in inland Australia.
Lucy et al. 1995; Earl 2003)
The threat of Lippia to natural ecosystems lies in its direct impact on native groundcover
species in floodplain communities. Because it prevents the recruitment of 11 threatened or
‘at risk’ herbaceous species, prevents recruitment of woody plants and impacts on food
sources and habitat for 9 threatened species, its presence thus leads to loss of biodiversity.
Lippia spreads vegetatively when small fragments are broken during floods and become
stranded as floodwaters recede. Seeds dominate the propagule bank of the floodplain
community. They may be spread by water or in mud by agricultural machinery and on the
feet of waterbirds and the hooves of grazing animals. Seed may also be transported in the
guts of sheep and other animals. The root system of Lippia is less effective than that of
grasses in binding cracking clay soils, a characteristic that is most apparent on steep stream
banks and roadsides, where its presence leads to soil instability.
Both physical and chemical control methods present problems in relation to non-target
species. The possibilities for biological control are confused by the similarities of Phyla
canescens and P. nodiflora. For instance, a number of native butterfly species utilise Phyla
species as a food host.
30 WWF-Australia
Box 4. Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima) – a newly naturalised invasive

garden plant that has the potential to cause major agricultural impacts
The introduction and subsequent promotion for sale of Mexican feather grass, a native of
New Mexico and Texas in the US, is a clear example of how changes in gardening fashion
can lead to new problems – in this case potentially for agriculture. It confirms the
importance of correct and current nomenclature.
Over the last decade, tussock grasses have become popular in home gardens and public
landscaping projects, particularly those edging new freeways and golf course ‘roughs’.
Mexican feather grass is one that looks as if it would be suitable for these purposes;
accordingly, it has been available for sale in nurseries in Victoria and NSW since 1998.
How did this potentially alarming situation arise? A close relative of Mexican feather grass
is Serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) which is a major weed and a WONS (see
earlier). Serrated tussock was first recorded in Australia in 1935; currently it occupies over
1 million hectares in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania. In NSW alone, it has been estimated to
cost agriculture more than $40 million annually (Jones & Vere 1998).
In 1996, a Victorian nursery imported a consignment of Mexican feather grass labeled as
Stipa tenuissima. The genus Stipa was at that time included on the list of permitted plants.
The taxon Stipa tenuissima is now known correctly, however, as Nassella tenuissima, a
taxon which is not permitted. Had the new name applied at that time, the importation
would not have been permitted.
Mexican feather grass is a perennial tussock grass with narrow rolled leaves which grows
to a height of 1m. It is difficult to distinguish morphologically from Serrated tussock; it also
resembles in general appearance some native Austrostipa species (previously known as
Stipa in Australia). The similarity in appearance means it may be overlooked as a weed.
It has been estimated (McLaren et al. 1999) that, if allowed to spread, Mexican feather
grass has the potential to cover more than 14 million hectares in all Australian states and
territories, about six times that of serrated tussock (Figure 7).
The estimated potential economic
cost of a Mexican feathergrass
infestation spreading over the next
60 years is $39 million (CIE 2001).
It has now been declared noxious
in Victoria, NSW, SA and WA and
prohibited from sale in Victoria,
NSW and SA.
Of great concern is that Mexican

feathergrass was detected as
Figure 7. Potential distribution of Nassella naturalised in Tamworth, NSW in
tenuissima predicted from a climate profile of 2004, only eight years after its
distributions in its countries of origin (from McLaren
importation into Australia (Hosking
et al. 2004).
Key: Black = best prediction (10% of mean); Grey = (20% 2004).
of mean); Light Grey = worst prediction (30% of mean)
Despite these efforts to stop a problem before the plant is known to be naturalised and
spreading, Mexican feather grass is still advertised widely on the internet and in the
international horticultural media as a desirable ornamental grass for garden use (see
above text).
The potential threat this recent introduction poses to Australian agriculture remains a
problem of early detection systems, despite the best efforts of weed taxonomists who still
find it for sale in nurseries or promoted by irresponsible horticultural journalists.
WWF-Australia 31
Box 5. Bear-skin fescue (Festuca gautieri) – a newly introduced invasive garden

plant that is a known grazing weed
The history of the European grass Festuca gautieri (Bear-skin fescue) illustrates a
garden plant in the earliest stage of invasion – the introduction stage (see Chapter 2).
This plant species was imported legally into Australia in 2003 by the nursery industry. It
is not yet known to be naturalised (compared with Nassella tenuissima, which has
recently been reported as naturalised, only some 8 years after its introduction).
This grass species is native to southwest France and northeastern Spain and extends
over a range of altitudes from the coast into the Pyrenees. It is known to be of low
palatability and that it can be dominant in its native habitat. The grass is currently
naturalised in the UK (Spafford Jacob et al. 2004).
In Australia Festuca gautieri is at present permitted entry under current AQIS regulations
which is cause for concern because it has been claimed to have the potential to reduce
pasture production in grazing systems and to have a negative impact on the biodiversity
and structure of Australian native grasslands (Spafford Jacob et al. 2004). It is thus both
a potential agricultural and environmental weed. The potential climatic distribution of
F. gautieri across southern Australia is extensive, as shown in Figure 8, determined by
the CLIMATE program (Randall, pers. comm.). On the WRA scoring system it rates 10,
which puts it in the Reject category (Spafford Jacob et al. 2004). Based on this score,
the species has been rejected for importation to Western Australia. “Had a similar
procedure been followed by AQIS this plant would not have been permitted entry” to
Australia (Spafford Jacob et al. 2004:5).
Although not listed as available for sale in
Hibbert (2002), it is currently listed as
available for sale in Victoria in the
November 2004 catalogue of Larkman
Nurseries as a lightly frost-tolerant grass
that flowers in summer. Given its
ecological suitability to most of Victoria
(Fig. 8), its current availability for sale in
Victoria (and hence nationally, except for
WA) seems especially regrettable for the
future sustainability of southern Australian
pastures and natural grasslands. This case
indeed provides a further instance of the
Fig. 8 Potential distribution of Festuca open-ness of Australia’s “front door” to
gautieri as determined by ‘Climate’. weedy plants as well as the continued
availability of a species still in the
introduction stage of the invasion pathway
but advertised for sale in a current nursery
catalogue and hence available for
widespread distribution in southeastern
Australia.
32 WWF-Australia
Discussion
Consideration of the impacts of weeds on ecosystems is made more complex by the fact that the same
species may affect both natural and agricultural ecosystems, although in this Report we have tried to
separate the two sets of impacts. Blackberry is a major weed of pastures, but it is an equally major
weed in natural ecosystems, especially along waterways in southern Australia. Furthermore,
Blackberry is strongly weedy in the establishment phase of forest plantations. When the weediness of
St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) was first recognised, it was as a weed of dairy pastures. Land
use changed, as a result of this weed status, from pasture to forest plantations of Monterey pine (Pinus
radiata) in some regions. Currently, the same species occurs mainly in natural ecosystems and on
roadsides, along which it spreads, although it continues to be weedy in pine plantations.
A further example is provided by Horehound (Marrubium vulgare). This native of the Mediterranean
region was deliberately introduced to Australia as a source of herbal compounds (and as an alternative
to hops for beer production!). It soon spread to become a weed of sheep-grazed pastures in relatively
high-rainfall regions, where it is still a problem plant because of its unpalatability. More recently, it
has increased in dominance in some semi-arid areas, where its fruits are spread not by sheep, but by
native animals, such as kangaroos, or by rabbits. In northwestern Victoria’s Wyperfeld National Park
it is common to see horehound as a major weed in areas where kangaroos and rabbits congregate and
rest overnight.
From these examples, it is clear that the distinction between weeds in natural and agricultural
ecosystems is far from rigid, and many widespread weeds may affect and impact both systems. What
is more, their relative impacts on each system – whether negative or positive – may change with time
as the same species come to have less impact on changing agricultural systems and more on natural
ones.
We now discuss the significance of the different “milestones on the road to extinction” (Table 3) to
weed management using the examples we have presented already.
The Sand-hill orchid Pterostylis arenicola is known to occur at only three sites separated by a distance
of about 100 km. The conservation status of P. arenicola has improved recently because of the
discovery of the third population within a reserve in the Coorong region. This present distribution
pattern of this native orchid may indicate that the species was formerly a component of the herbaceous
understorey to low Callitris woodland that has become endangered by disappearance of large areas of
this vegetation type as a result of land clearance for cereal growing and pasture establishment (Specht
1972). Competition from the weed Bridal creeper is one factor endangering P. arenicola populations
at two of its three sites, but so too is fragmentation of its original vegetation as a result of earlier land
clearance in semi-arid South Australia.
Few if any natural ecosystems are more fragmented than the Cumberland Plain woodlands that occur
to the west and south of Sydney (James 1997). Throughout that region, the fragments of natural
vegetation remaining are surrounded not by cleared agricultural land as in South Australia, but by 200
years of suburban development spreading from Sydney. The native shrub Pimelea spicata was
probably a not uncommon component of the understorey to Cumberland Plain vegetation; it still
occurs in a number of fragments of this vegetation type. Each fragment has a number of invasive bird-
dispersed weeds present, of which Bridal creeper is just one, albeit a major one. Removal of Bridal
creeper may lead to localised increases in P. spicata populations but the latter will always be
predisposed to further weed invasion because the vegetation type in which the endangered species
occurs is now so highly fragmented.
Land fragmentation is a more important factor on the road to extinction than weed competition (see
Table 3). For Pterostylis arenicola land fragmentation occurred many years ago and further
fragmentation is unlikely. The conservation status of this orchid thus depends mainly on effective
WWF-Australia 33
control of Bridal creeper. For Pimelea spicata the situation is different in that further fragmentation of
the sites it occupies is highly likely as urban development spreads inexorably from Sydney. And at
these increasingly fragmented sites, successful control of Bridal creeper populations could lead to
increases in other invasive weeds, such as African olive (Olea europaea var. africana) or Privet
(Ligustrum spp.). A major factor in each case is that Bridal creeper is still available for sale (Hibbert
2002; Glanznig et al. 2004a). This continued sale of one of the twenty Weeds of National Significance
– the highest category of weed status in Australia currently - is a major threat to the survival of the two
endangered native plants we have discussed. Only legislative amendments may change this alarming
situation and thereby avert extinction of two native species in the longer term. Clearly, the thirteen
milestones to extinction also need amending to take account of this continuing commerce in
threatening invasive species such as Bridal creeper.
34 WWF-Australia
Chapter 5. The Current Situation Concerning the

Availability for Sale by Nurseries of
Invasive Garden Plants
We postulated in Chapter 2 an increase in the number of species that have become weeds which were
deliberately introduced for horticultural purposes, a situation similar to the Auckland region in New
Zealand. The number of naturalised species in Australia’s flora is increasing linearly with time and
shows no evidence of decreasing (Chapter 3). About two thirds of this naturalised flora comprises
species that were introduced deliberately for ornamental horticulture. Some of these species are
having major and negative impacts on Australian native plants and the ecosystems in which they
occur. Some examples were discussed in Chapter 4 of the threats to Australian biodiversity posed by
the continuing spread and re-distribution of major weeds, either because they are still being sold by
nurseries or because of their re-location to more favourable sites or because of their dispersal by birds
from gardens. Other deliberately introduced garden species have escaped cultivation in the past to
have major impacts on Australian agriculture.
These three chapters together present the case that two thirds of the weed flora has arisen from species
deliberately introduced for ornamental horticulture over the 200 years of European settlement in
Australia. These species individually and collectively are having major effects on Australia’s
endangered species and ecosystems, both natural and agricultural. But, while some known weedy
species are prohibited from being sold in several states and territories, what is the current situation
nationally and in the states and territories? In this chapter we quantify the information currently
available using published and citable lists or catalogues of Australia’s invasive flora.
Methods
The basic reference for this study was an up-to-date listing of 1036 naturalised invasive and
potentially invasive garden plants provided by Randall & Kessal (2004). This listing is based on an
earlier published list (Randall 2001) that contains both introduced and native species, supplemented by
the most recent available information on plants for sale by nurseries (Hibbert 2002). In Randall &
Kessal’s list each taxon is referred to as a ‘species’ unless there is a distinct and documented
difference in the behaviour of a sub-specific taxon from the species. The list contains environmental
weeds, significant environmental weeds and so-called ‘sleeper weeds’. The analysis for the major
weeds presented below does not include the ‘sleeper weed’ category, as this is a provisional one
depending on its definition (see Groves 2004). The final list for analysis thus comprised 720 species
(see Appendix 1).
The definition adopted by Randall & Kessal (2004) for the term ‘naturalised’ is “having self-
sustaining and spreading populations with no human assistance, backed by a herbarium voucher
specimen” and agrees with our earlier definition (p. 11). A species native to Australia may be
naturalised if it establishes self-sustaining populations in an area where it is not known to occur
naturally since European settlement. One of the best known examples of such a native species is
Cootamundra wattle (Acacia baileyana) which is known to occur naturally in a relatively restricted
area near Cootamundra, NSW, but is now maintaining self-sustaining populations in other parts of the
country.
A garden plant is defined as a species known to have escaped either directly by seed or by other
propagules from cultivation. Escape may be directly by birds and mammals distributing seed attached
to their bodies or in their droppings or through dumped domestic garden waste. Other garden escapes
originate from abandoned gardens, graveyards and commercial waste disposal sites (Randall 2002).
WWF-Australia 35
Hibbert (2002) is derived from catalogues of individual nurseries. It lists about 30 000 garden plants
that are “hard to find” and the nurseries or seed suppliers from where they can be purchased. Hibbert
distinguishes between species widely available for sale (those “available from many nurseries”) and
those available for sale (presumably those available from only one or a few nurseries). It lists 411
suppliers (380 nurseries and 31 seed suppliers) in all states and mainland territories.
Results
Of the 720 naturalised invasive and potentially invasive garden plants, over half (54.6%) were
recorded as available for sale (Hibbert 2002), a quarter (24.7%) are declared noxious, and a tenth (72)
(or 40.4% of all declared invasive garden plants) are declared noxious but available for sale in other
states or territories where the garden plant is not declared. Table 5 presents further data by state or
territory on this aspect.
The states where the biggest range of naturalised invasive and potentially invasive garden plants in
Australia are available for sale are NSW (38.8% to total number of naturalised garden plant species in
Australia) and Victoria (32.8%) followed by Queensland (20.3%) and Western Australia (16.5%).
Of concern is that 4 out of 10 (40.4%) of the invasive garden plants declared noxious in at least one or
more states and territories remain for sale somewhere else in Australia. This availability allows for the
potential movement of noxious weeds around the country and to areas where they may also become
invasive.
States and territories generally have low rates of prohibiting for sale those invasive and potentially
invasive garden plants naturalised in their respective jurisdiction. ACT is by far the weakest
jurisdiction with 0.0% followed by Western Australia with 9.9%, Victoria with 11.2%, and Tasmania
with 14.5%. The best performing State and Territory was the Northern Territory, which prohibited the
sale of about 4 out of every 10 (41.3%) of the invasive garden plant species naturalised in its
jurisdiction, followed by Queensland with 22.2%.
Table 5. Naturalised invasive and potentially invasive garden plants and their noxious
status and availability or prohibition from sale, both nationally and by jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Naturalised Declared Available for Declared Naturalised

Noxious Sale Noxious and and Prohibited
Available for for Sale in
Sale Jursdiction
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %
Australia 720 100.0 178 24.7 393 54.6 72 40.4 153 21.3
NSW 205 28.5 99 13.8 279 38.8 36 36.7 37 18.0
QLD 158 22.0 57 7.9 146 20.3 20 35.1 35 22.2
SA 161 22.5 66 9.7 79 11.0 19 28.8 31 19.3
TAS 152 21.0 51 7.1 126 17.5 16 31.4 22 14.5
VIC 409 57.0 60 8.3 236 32.8 18 30.0 46 11.2
WA 314 44.0 1716 23.8 119 16.5 69 40.4 31 9.9
ACT 104 14.5 23 3.2 33 4.6 6 26.1 0 0.0
NT 63 9.0 42 5.8 75 10.4 13 31.0 26 41.3
Notes
1 Number naturalised includes all listed taxa (genera, species, sub-species) that are recorded as
naturalised in jurisdiction. Percentage is portion of Australian total, and is rounded to nearest 0.5%
(Randall and Kessal 2004).
2 Declared noxious refers to taxa that are declared noxious under relevant State/Territory government
legislation in respective jurisdiction. The Australian total refers to the number of taxa that are declared
noxious in at least one State or Territory jurisdiction. Percentage is portion of total naturalised invasive
36 WWF-Australia
plants that are declared noxious in respective jurisdiction (AWC January, 2004). The NSW figure
includes regional declarations, and these listed species may be available for sale in non-control regions.
3 Available for Sale refers to the number of plant species and taxa that are recorded for sale in Hibbert
(2002). It includes number of species recorded as available for sale in the respective jurisdiction plus the
33 species and taxa recorded as ‘widely available’ (it is assumed that ‘widely available’ plants are
available in all States and Territories). For example, in South Australia 46 species and taxa are recorded
as available, which when added to the 33 widely available species and taxa results in a total of 79.
Percentage is portion of total naturalised invasive plants in Australia that are recorded as available for
sale in respective jurisdiction. No nurseries from the ACT are included in Hibbert (2002) and as such the
ACT figure only includes the 33 species and taxa recorded as ‘widely available’.
4 Declared noxious and available for sale refers to species and taxa that are declared noxious in one
jurisdiction while being available for sale in another jurisdiction. Percentage is portion of declared plants
in jurisdiction that are also available for sale in at least one Australian State or Territory.
5 Naturalised and Prohibited for Sale in Jurisdiction refers to species and taxa that are both naturalised
and prohibited in the respective jurisdiction. Percentage is portion of invasive garden plant species that
are naturalised in jurisdiction that are prohibited for sale.
6 This includes those species that are both declared noxious or unassigned. Unassigned species are
subject to a weed risk assessment if importation into the State is sought.
Sources: Randall and Kessal (2004); Australian Weeds Committee (2004); Hibbert (2002)
This chapter also determines the numbers of invasive garden plants available for sale by specific
categories of invasive plants as introduced in Chapter 2. Additionally, the number of invasive garden
plants that are considered by a grazing industry report as nationally significant is also calculated. The
findings are summarised in Table 6 below.
Table 6. Summary of those commercially available naturalised invasive and potentially
invasive garden plants that are major weeds or impact on biodiversity or agriculture
Major Weeds Biodiversity Agriculture
Impact – Control – Quarantine Impact on Alert/Eradication Impact on Agriculture
major weeds major weeds Biodiversity
World’s Weeds of Northern ROTAP Alert List National Weeds of Emerging
Worst Alien National Australia eradication greatest weeds that
Species Significance Quarantine target – significance are potential
Strategy natural to grazing problems for
Target Weed ecosystems industries the grazing
List industry
Number of listed 36 20 41 49 28 34 48 24
invasive plants
Number and % of 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (2.4%) 0 (0.0%) 5 (17.6%) 4 (11.8%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%)
which are
‘sleeper’ garden
plants
Number and % of 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (2.4%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (7.1%) 1 (2.9%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%)
which are
available for sale
Number and % of 20 (55.6%) 16 (80.0%) 0 (0.0%) 28 (57.1%) 11 (39.3%) 6 (17.6%) 20 (41.7%) 13 (54.2%)
which are
naturalised
garden plants
Number and % of 9 (25.0%) 5 (25.0%) 0 (0.0%) 10 (20.4%) 4 (14.3%) 3 (8.8%) 4 (8.3%) 8 (33.3%)
which are
available for sale
The table also includes ‘sleeper’ garden plants, which have been excluded from our analysis, but to
provide a fuller picture are also presented (see also Glanznig et al 2004a).
The NAQS target list contains 41 species of which three (Equisetum ramosissimum, Salvinia cucullata
or S. natans) are listed by Randall & Kessal (2004) as garden plants by virtue of generic listing to
encompass all species in the genera Equisetum and Salvinia. None of the species was listed as
available for sale (Hibbert 2002). A ‘sleeper’ NAQS target weed, Rhodomytus tomentosa (Ceylon hill
cherry), however, is recorded as for for sale (Hibbert 2002). As there are no naturalised NAQS species
that are naturalised garden plants, this category is not analysed further below.
WWF-Australia 37
(a) MAJOR WEEDS
Methods
Nine expert weed scientists were provided with the list of naturalised invasive garden plants recorded
for their state or territory by Randall & Kessal (2004). In the case of the Northern Territory, two
experts were selected, one to cover the tropical ‘Top End’ and the other the arid centre. They were all
asked to indicate the ten most invasive naturalised species on their list that were for sale currently.
Each expert was also asked if they wished to nominate non-invasive garden plants currently available
in the nursery trade as substitutes for their nominated invasive species.
To be eligible for nomination, a species had to be available for sale, be naturalised and a garden plant
(see definitions earlier). Where a species is prohibited from sale, we assumed that prohibition to be
effective. This assumption eliminated some prohibited common weeds from nomination.
The state or territory lists provided to each expert contained the species name, whether it was declared
noxious or prohibited from sale, and whether it was ‘widely available’ or ‘available’ for sale based on
Hibbert (2002) (see earlier).
Results
National analysis
Of the ninety species nominated by experts (10 for each state and the ACT and 20 from NT), 12
occurred on more than one list. Two of these species, each nominated twice, were of economic
importance as plantation species, namely Radiata pine (Pinus radiata) and Olive (Olea europaea).
Both these species, together with Neem (Azadarichta indica) nominated for the tropical Top End of
NT, are planted on a large scale in rural areas abutting native bushland and clearly present a
management problem different from that of the remaining ten species (see p. 59 for discussion). The
ten most important species currently sold by nurseries (Table 7) together cover the range of plant
forms, i.e. trees, shrubs, climbers, palms, grasses and herbs.
All but two experts chose not to nominate substitutes on the basis of uncertainty about whether a
species may become invasive in the longer term. As one expert wrote:
I urge you to avoid nominating ‘safe’ alternatives unless you can be absolutely sure there is no
weed risk. As you well know, plants promoted as safe for one area are often transported into
other areas where they can become a significant problem…Any species suggested would have to
have a weed risk assessment prepared for it.
Accordingly, alternative ‘non-invasive’ species are not given for these top ten invasive plants currently
being sold by Australian nurseries.
38 WWF-Australia
Table 7. The ten most serious invasive garden plants in Australia currently available
for sale by nurseries
Common name Species name Life form Nominated for
Asparagus fern Asparagus scandens Herbaceous Tas., Vic.

climber
Broom Cytisus spp. Shrub ACT, NSW,

Tas.
Fountain grass Pennisetum setaceum Grass SA, arid NT
Gazania Gazania spp. Herb SA, Vic.
Glory lily Gloriosa superba Herbaceous NSW, Qld

climber
Hybrid mother of Bryophyllum Succulent herb NSW, arid NT

millions daigremontianum X
B. delagoense
Japanese honeysuckle Lonicera japonica Woody climber ACT, Qld
Pepper tree Schinus molle Tree Vic., arid NT

(= S. areira)
Periwinkle Vinca major Herbaceous SA, Vic.

creeper
Sweet pittosporum Pittosporum undulatum Tree WA, Tas.
A description of each species in alphabetical order by common name is given in the Fact Sheets that
follow.
WWF-Australia 39
1. ASPARAGUS FERN Nominated for Tasmania, Victoria
Asparagus scandens
Family: Asparagaceae
Native to South Africa
Other common names:

Myrsiphyllum, Climbing asparagus
T.Rudman
A perennial climber or scrambler with stems to 2.5m tall. Small leaves are usually in threes and stems
are many-branched. Separate male and female plants. The females produce bright orange berries
which may remain on the plant from one season to the next. Tuberous roots form a dense
underground mat. It is similar to Bridal creeper, Asparagus asparagoides, a major weed in all states
and Asparagus fern, Asparagus densiflorus, which has been declared a noxious weed on Lord Howe
Island.
Asparagus scandens is invading NSW, SA, Tas and Victoria. It is localised in Tasmania but has
established some very dense infestations over large areas, e.g. at Bridport, often found in association
with Bridal creeper (Rudman, T. 2004, pers. comm.). It also occurs in Victoria in a number of coastal
and inland areas (Blood, K. 2004, pers. comm.).
All variants of Asparagus fern form dense tangles which smother other plants; it grows successfully in
low light.
Seed is spread by birds and other animals. Tubers, which are long-lived, are spread in garden waste.
References:
Blood, K. (2001). Environmental Weeds. A Field Guide for SE Australia. C.H. Jerram & Associates-
Science Publishers, Mt Waverley, Victoria.
Blood, K., Department of Primary Industries, Beaufort, Victoria.
Csurhes, S. and Edwards, R. (1998). Potential Environmental Weeds in Australia. National Weeds
Program, Environment Australia, Canberra.
Rudman, T., Department of Primary Industries, Water & Environment, Hobart, Tasmania.
40 WWF-Australia
2. BROOM Nominated for NSW, ACT, Tasmania
Cytisus spp.
Family: Fabaceae
Native to Europe and Asia
T.Rudman
The genus Cytisus contains 33 species of evergreen or deciduous shrubs or small trees without thorns.
Scotch broom, Cytisus scoparius, and its different forms are the most commonly planted species.
Shrub or small tree growing to 4m tall. Flowers are pea-shaped, of various colours and borne
prolifically. Fruits are flattened pods which split on hot days and explosively expel the seeds which
are spread in mud attached to vehicles, animals and footwear or by siltation along watercourses,
contaminated soil and ants.
Seed levels for Cytisus scoparius in the soil are often high, up to 11,000 seeds per sq m have been
recorded at Barrington Tops and 20,000 per sq m near Braidwood, NSW (Hosking, J.R. 2004, pers.
comm.). Germination is encouraged by fire.
In Australia, Cytisus scooparius occupies about 200,000 hectares in the ACT, NSW, Tasmania, SA,
Victoria and WA and competes with native shrubs and understorey plants. It also invades pastures,
forests and plantations. In Tasmania it is common around Hobart (Rudman, T. 2004, pers. comm.). It
is one of 49 naturalised non-native species which are having a direct impact on native rare and
threatened species (Groves et al. 2003). Also invasive in New Zealand, India, South Africa, Canada,
USA including Hawaii. Other invasive Cytisus species recorded in Australia include C. multiflorus.
References:
Blood,K. (2001). Environmental Weeds. A Field Guide for SE Australia. C.H.Jerram & Associates-
Csurhes, S. and Edwards, R. (1998). Potential Environmental Weeds in Australia.
National Weeds Program, Environment Australia, Canberra.
Groves, R.H. et al. (2003). Weed Categories for Natural and Agricultural Ecosystem Management.
Dept. of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Canberra.
Hosking, J.R., Dept. of Agriculture, Tamworth, NSW.
Rudman, T. Flora Protection Officer, Dept. Primary Industries, Water & Environment, Hobart,
Tasmania.
WWF-Australia 41
3. FOUNTAIN GRASS Nominated for SA, arid NT
Pennisetum setaceum
Family: Poaceae
Native to north east Africa
Other common names: Tender fountain grass,

African fountain grass
R. Cousens
A densely tufted perennial grass growing to 1m. The flowerhead is a long feathery spike which makes
it attractive for garden cultivation. It spreads by seed, transported by wind and water or carried on
clothing and in dumped garden waste.
It has been listed as a weed in Hawaii, the United States and South Africa. It is banned in New
Zealand. Fountain grass is naturalised in NSW, Queensland, SA, Victoria, WA,NT.
In South Australia it is naturalised and weedy, particularly on Eyre Peninsula. It is still sold as an
ornamental and is popular in home gardens (Cooke, D. 2004, pers. comm.).
References:
Blood, K. (2001). Environmental Weeds. A Field Guide for SE Australia. C.H.Jerram & Associates-
Csurhes, S. and Edwards, R. (1998). Potential Environmental Weeds in Australia. National Weed
Cooke, David, Senior Weed Science Officer, Animal and Plant Control Commission, South Australia.
42 WWF-Australia
4. GAZANIA Nominated for SA, Victoria
Gazania spp.
Family: Asteraceae
Native to South Africa. Many hybrids

have been developed for cultivation
which makes identification difficult.
Other common names: Treasure flower
R. Boden
Gazania is a tough low-growing perennial herb to 300mm tall with lance-shaped leaves and brightly
coloured daisy-like flowers in bronze, yellow and orange tones. It produces abundant wind-blown
seeds and spreads rapidly. It also spreads vegetatively. It withstands salt-laden winds and grows well
in sandy soils. It is often spread in garden waste.
Gazania linearis and G. rigens and hybrids between them are commonly available in nurseries. The
two parent species are naturalised in all states and the Northern Territory but identification is often
confused. Coastal Gazania, G. rigens, has become naturalised on coastal dunes and along roadsides
from southern Sydney to the NSW central coast and in the Moreton region of south-east Queensland.
Gazania spp. are common on Victorian roadsides (Blood, K. pers. comm. 2004).
In South Australia, cultivars, apparently hybrid, of G. linearis are very commonly sold by garden
centres and supermarkets. Rural landholders often plant them on roadsides outside their farms. They
encroach by wind-blown seed into coastal scrub and inland mallee, and seem to be just starting their
spread. G. rigens is less frequently sold, and is only naturalised on coastal dunes (Cooke, D. 2004,
pers. comm.).
References:
Blood, K. (2001). Environmental Weeds A Field Guide for SE Australia, C.H. Jerram & Associates-
Science Publishers, Mt Waverley Victoria.
Blood, K. Department of Primary Industries, Beaufort, Victoria.
Cooke, D., Animal and Plant Control Commission, South Australia.
WWF-Australia 43
5. GLORY LILY Nominated for NSW, Queensland
Gloriosa superba
Family: Liliaceae
Native to Africa
C. Wilson
Glory lily is an herbaceous annual climber with subterranean, perennial tubers and red and yellow
flowers. It has been cultivated as a garden ornamental for many years. It is propagated by division or
seed which may remain dormant for 6-9 months.
The plant contains alkaloids similar to colchicine and has been recorded as a cause of poisoning in
humans (Everist, 198l). The rootstock is believed to be more toxic than other parts of the plant.
Glory lily forms dense understorey carpets in coastal dune systems competing strongly with native
flora. It colonises bare soil after Bitou bush, (Chrysanthemoides monilifera spp. rotundata) control.
Glory lily was identified as naturalised at Caloundra in south-east Queensland in 1950 and in NSW in
1972. It is now a serious weed on Moreton Island and along the North Coast of NSW and is recorded
in North Queensland and central Queensland (Batianoff, G. and Hosking, J. R. 2004, pers.comm.). It
also occurs in Victoria (Blood,K. pers.comm.).
Four cultivars have been described (Parker and Malone 2003); it is listed for sale in nurseries in
Queensland, Northern Territory, and Victoria.
References:
Batianoff, G. Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane Botanic Gardens,
Brisbane, Queensland.
Blood, K. Department of Primary Industries, Beaufort, Victoria.
Everist, S.L. (1981). Poisonous Plants of Australia. Angus & Robertson Publishers, Sydney.
Hosking, J. R. Dept. of Agriculture, Tamworth, NSW.
Parker, J. and Malone, M. eds. (2003). Gardening Australia: Flora: the Gardener's Bible over 20,000
plants. ABC Books, Sydney.
44 WWF-Australia
6. HYBRID MOTHER OF MILLIONS Nominated for NSW, arid NT
Bryophyllum daigremontianum
x Bryophyllum delagoense cv. 'Hougtonii'
(B. delagoense = B. tubiflorum)
Family: Crassulaceae
Horticultural origin
J. Hosking
Bryophyllums are succulent perennial herbs with fleshy mottled stems and leaves. Flowers are
orange, yellow or red on stalks held above the foliage. Plants may form on the parent plant or regrowth
may occur from tiny leaves or stems on the ground.
Spread by plantlets carried by water in streams and rivers and by plantlets attached to animals and in
mud also in dumped garden waste. Virtually no seed is produced (Hosking, J.R. 2004, pers.comm.).
The hybrid is widespread in south east Queensland but is not as common as one of the parents
(B. delagoense). Locally common in northern NSW where it grows near houses or where dumped as
garden waste. Also spreading along watercourses. Plants, particularly flowers, are poisonous to stock.
This plant may be sold under the former name of Kalanchoe.
References:
Hosking, J.R., Dept. of Agriculture, Tamworth, NSW.
WWF-Australia 45
7. JAPANESE HONEYSUCKLE Nominated for ACT, Queensland
Lonicera japonica
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Native to east Asia
Other common names: Chinese honeysuckle,

Gold and silver flower, Hall’s honeysuckle
B. Auld & R. Medd
Japanese honeysuckle is a woody, twining evergreen climber growing up to 10m tall as a scrambler
over other plants and buildings. Leaves are light green, about 30 to 70mm long. Branches are hairy
when young and will root wherever they touch the ground. Cream to yellow-white flowers are borne
in pairs near branch tips. They are sweetly scented as the common name suggests and Japanese
honeysuckle is often grown for this feature. Seeds are contained in a shiny black berry about 6-10mm
long which is poisonous to humans but eaten by birds who spread the seeds widely. Seeds are also
spread in water and dumped garden waste.
Young Japanese honeysuckle plants take some time to become established as they develop a strong
taproot before the shoots grow significantly. Once established and entwined in other plants it is very
difficult to remove.
It is invasive in New Zealand, Britain, Canada, Argentina and USA.
First naturalised in south-east Queensland in 1910, now becoming a weed of the Darling Downs,
particularly in the Stanthorpe district, Moreton and Wide Bay Districts (Batianoff, G. 2004, pers.
comm.). It is naturalised in the ACT where it occurs in woodland and riverine areas near Canberra. It
is invasive in all states but not the NT. It is sold in nurseries and at markets as it is easy to propagate.
References:
Batianoff, G. Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane Botanic Gardens,
Brisbane, Queensland.
Berry, S. and Mulvaney, M. (1995). An Environmental Weed Survey of the Australian Capital
Territory. Conservation Council of the South-east Region and Canberra.
Blood, K. (2001). Environmental Weeds. A Field Guide for SE Australia, C.H. Jerram & Associates-
Science Publishers, Mt Waverley Victoria.
46 WWF-Australia
8. PEPPER TREE Nominated for Victoria, arid NT
Schinus areira
= Schinus molle var. areira
Family: Anarcardiaceae
Native to northern South America
to Mexico
Other common names: Californian pepper tree, C. Wilson

Peppercorn tree, Peruvian mastic tre, Pepperina
Pepper tree is a large spreading tree growing to a height of 12m. It has drooping fern-like leaves with
many leaflets which are aromatic when crushed. Flowers hang in clusters with male and female
flowers on separate plants. Flowers on the female trees develop into bright pink berries with a hard
seed which germinates well when passed through the guts of birds and other animals. Many seeds are
stored in the soil.
Mature trees are resistant to fire and drought and are able to sprout from the rootstock if damaged.
Pepper tree is invasive in New Zealand, South Africa and USA. In Australia it is invasive in NSW,
NT, Qld, SA, Vic and WA.
Pepper tree is widely planted in homestead gardens and stockyards in dry areas of NSW, Victoria,
South Australia and the Northern Territory. It has invaded a range of vegetation types including
lowland grassland and woodland and dry forest. It has been reported as spreading in riparian
vegetation near Warwick in south-east Queensland and in old settlements in the Western Australian
Goldfields region.
It is native to South America and has been planted as a street tree in southern Europe.
Pepper tree was listed for sale in nursery catalogues in Victoria in the 1870s and 1880s and is still
available for sale from many nurseries.
References:
Blood, K. (2001). Environmental Weeds. A Field Guide for S E Australia, C.H. Jerram & Associates-
Brookes, M. and Barley, R. (1992). Plants Listed in Nursery Catalogues in Victoria 1855-1889.
Ornamental Plants Collections Association, Melbourne.
WWF-Australia 47
9. PERIWINKLE Nominated for South Australia, Victoria
Vinca major
Family: Apocynaceae
Native to western parts of the Mediterranean
Other common names: Blue periwinkle,

Vinca, Sorcerer’s violet
B. Auld & Medd
Periwinkle is a perennial evergreen creeper which grows up to 500mm tall with stems 1-2m long. It
has dark green, opposite leaves on arching stems and can form large, dense mats often covering many
square metres. Flowers, borne singly, are bright blue/mauve in colour. Used in horticulture as a hardy
ground cover but it often spreads and is dumped with other garden waste. It is also spread in water
(including watercourse flooding) and contaminated soil.
Periwinkle was a common plant in Victorian nursery catalogues in the mid- to late 19th century and is
still popular and often sold at markets and garden fetes because it is so easy to propagate.
Periwinkle is toxic to some stock. It tolerates any soil, drought, excessaive moisture,frost, sun shade
and salt. It is a serious weed along the Snowy and Tambo rivers in East Gippsland, Victoria. It is a
weed in higher rainfall parts of South Australia, and is extremely difficult to control (Cooke, D. 2004,
pers. comm.).
It is invasive in New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa and USA. It is naturalised in all
Australian states and the ACT.
Vinca major is related to weedy Madagascar periwinkle, Catharanthus roseus, which has been
nominated as one of the worst ten weeds in cultivation in Queensland. The related Lesser periwinkle,
Vinca minor, is native to northern Europe, the Caucasus and southern Russia. It has smaller leaves
and is less vigorous than Periwinkle but is also a problem in some places.
References:
Blood, K. (2001). Environmental Weeds. A Field Guide for SE Australia. C.H. Jerram & Associates-
Cooke, David, Senior Weed Science Officer, Animal and Plant Control Commission, South Australia.
48 WWF-Australia
10. SWEET PITTOSPORUM Nominated for WA, Tasmania
Pittosporum undulatum
Family: Pittosporaceae
Native to NSW and
far eastern Vic.
Other common names: Australian Cheesewood,

Victorian box, Mock orange, Native daphne T. Rudman
A tall shrub or small tree growing to a height of 14m and a spread of 6m. Native to wet forests in
coastal areas between the Great Dividing Range and the sea from southern Victoria to southern
Queensland. It has shiny dark green paler beneath, oval leaves with wavy edges which give it its
specific name. Creamy-white, sweetly scented flowers are followed by clusters of orange fleshy fruit
about 13mm long. The fruits are attractive to birds and other animals including posums and foxes. It
also spreads in dumped garden waste and contaminated soil and seeds stick to footwear.
Sweet pittosporum is invasive in New Zealand, South Africa and USA. It is a serious weed problem
outside its natural range in SA, Tasmania, Victoria and WA. It is a weed on King, Lord Howe and
Norfolk islands. It is a serious weed in the Sydney district in areas where it does not occur naturally
and on the NSW mid-north coast.
Pittosporum undulatum, commonly mistaken as a native in Tasmania, appears to hybridise with

P. bicolor in Tasmania. It is invasive in coastal areas. Control of dispersal is difficult (Rudman, T.
2004, pers. comm.).
Pittosporum affects natural environments through shading, competition and changes in soil nutrients.
Changes in fire regimes has allowed Sweet pittosporum to out-compete fire-adapted native species.
References:
Blood, K. (2001). Environmental Weeds. A Field Guide for SE Australia. C.H. Jeram & Associates-
Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Cousens, R.D., Dodd, J., and Lloyd, S.G. (1997). Western Weeds.
Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Perth.
Rudman, T., Department of Primary Industries, Water & Environment, Hobart.
WWF-Australia 49
State and Territory nominations
1. New South Wales.
The ten most important species (Table 8) available for sale in New South Wales, including Lord Howe
Island, were chosen from the total list on the basis of those that are not already widespread in the wild.
On this basis, eight major invasive species of garden origin (namely, Cabomba caroliniana,
Chrysanthemoides monilifera, Ipomoea spp., Lantana camara, Ligustrum lucidum, Ligustrum sinense,
Lonicera japonica and Olea europaea) were eliminated from consideration as they are believed to be
close to the limits of their ranges in New South Wales.
Of the 720 naturalised garden plant species in Australia, 279 (38.8%) are available for sale in NSW
(see Table 5). Of the 205 naturalised garden plant species in NSW, only 37 (18%) are prohibited for
sale in the state. Of the 99 garden plants naturalised in Australia and/or NSW that are declared
noxious, 36 (36.7%) are available for sale in other jurisdictions.
Table 8. The ten most serious invasive garden plants currently available for sale by
nurseries in New South Wales
Common name Species name
Banana passion fruit Passiflora tarminiana (= P. mollisima)
Broom Cytisus scoparius
Cat’s claw creeper Macfadyena unguis-cati
Glory lily Gloriosa superba
Holly leafed senecio Senecio glastifolius
Hybrid mother of millions Bryophyllum daigremontianum X B. delagoense
Lippia Phyla canescens
Madeira vine Anredera cordifolia
Mother of millions Bryophyllum delagoense
Yerba de hicotea Hygrophila costata
Fact sheets on each of these species are included in Appendix 2.
50 WWF-Australia
2. Queensland.
The ten most serious invasive garden plants currently being sold by Queensland nurseries are listed
alphabetically by common name in Table 9.
Of the 720 naturalised garden plant species in Australia, 146 (20.3%) are available for sale in Qld (see
Table 5). Of the 158 naturalised garden plant species in Qld, only 35 (22.2%) are prohibited for sale in
the state. Of the 57 garden plant species naturalised in Australia and/or Qld that are declared noxious
in Qld, 20 (35.1%) are available for sale in other jurisdictions.
Table 9. The ten most serious invasive garden plants currently available for sale by
nurseries in Queensland
Common name Scientific name
Coreopsis Coreopsis lanceolata
Glory lily Gloriosa superba
Guava Psidium guajava & P. guineense
Japanese honeysuckle Lonicera japonica
Mickey Mouse plant Ochna serrulata
Murraya Murraya paniculata cv. exotica
Parrot’s feather Myriophyllum aquaticum
Pink periwinkle Catharanthus roseus
Taro Colocasia esculenta
Yellow allamanda Allamanda cathartica
Fact sheets on each of these species are included in Appendix 2.
WWF-Australia 51
3. South Australia.
The ten most serious invasive garden plants available for sale in South Australia are given in Table 10.
Of the 720 naturalised garden plant species in Australia, 79 (11.0%) are available for sale in SA (see
Table 5). Of the 161 naturalised garden plant species in SA, only 31(19.3%) are prohibited for sale in
the state. Of the 66 garden plants naturalised in Australia and/or SA that are declared noxious, 19
(28.8%) are available for sale in other jurisdictions.
Table 10. The ten most serious invasive garden plants available for sale in South
Australia

Aleppo pine Pinus halepensis
Desert ash Fraxinus angustifolia
Fountain grass Pennisetum setaceum
Gazania Gazania linearis hybrids
Golden wreath wattle Acacia saligna
Kikuyu grass Pennisetum clandestinum
Olive Olea europaea
Periwinkle Vinca major
Topped lavender Lavandula stoechas
Weeping willow Salix babylonica
Fact sheets on each of these species are presented in Appendix 2.
52 WWF-Australia
4. Tasmania.
The ten most serious invasive species available for sale in Tasmania are given in Table 11.
There are also a number of invasive species native to mainland Australia that need to be addressed
regionally, of which the most problematic are Grevillea rosmarinifolia, Acacia pycnantha and Sollya
heterophylla in dry forests, grassy or heathy ecosystems.
Of the 720 naturalised garden plant species in Australia, 126 (17.5%) are available for sale in Tas (see
Table 5). Of the 152 naturalised garden plant species in Tas, only 22 (14.5%) are prohibited for sale in
the state. Of the 51 garden plants naturalised in Australia and/or Tas that are declared noxious, 16
Table 11. The ten most serious invasive garden plants available for sale in Tasmania
Asparagus fern Asparagus scandens
Blue psoralea Psoralea pinnata
Broom Cytisus scoparius cultivars
Cape Leeuwin wattle Paraserianthes lophantha
Himalayan honeysuckle Leycesteria formosa
Holly Ilex aquifolium
Looking glass bush Coprosma repens
Radiata pine Pinus radiata
Sweet pittosporum Pittosporum undulatum
Tree heath Erica arborea
Fact sheets on each of these species are presented in Appendix 2.
WWF-Australia 53
5. Victoria.
The ten most important garden plants currently for sale in Victoria are listed in Table 12.
Of the 720 naturalised garden plant species in Australia, 236 (32.8%) are available for sale in Vic (see
Table 5). Of the 409 naturalised garden plant species in Vic, only 46 (11.2%) are prohibited for sale in
the state. Of the 60 garden plants naturalised in Australia and/or Vic that are declared noxious, 18
Table 12. The ten most serious invasive garden plants available for sale in Victoria
African lovegrass Eragrostis curvula
Asparagus fern Asparagus scandens
Gazania Gazania spp. (fertile species or cultivars, varieties)
Horsetails* Equisetum spp.
Oxalis Oxalis spp.
Pepper tree Schinus areira (= S. molle)
Periwinkle Vinca major
Prickly pear Opuntia spp.
Spanish heath Erica lusitanica
White tussock*# Nassella tenuissima

*not yet widespread but important potential weeds; #not known to be naturalized as yet.
Fact sheets on these species are appended (Appendix 2).
54 WWF-Australia
6. Western Australia.
The ten most important garden plants currently for sale in southern Western Australia are listed in
Table 13.
Of the 720 naturalised garden plant species in Australia, 119 (16.5%) are available for sale in WA (see
Table 5). Of the 314 naturalised garden plant species in WA, only 31 (9.9%) are prohibited for sale in
the state. Of the 171 garden plants naturalised in Australia and/or WA that are declared noxious or a
quarantine weed in WA, 69 (40.4%) are available for sale in other jurisdictions.
Table 13. The ten most serious invasive garden plants available for sale in southern
Western Australia
Arum lily Zantedeschia aethiopica
Black flag Ferraria crispa
Broadleaf pepper tree Schinus terebinthifolius
Coastal tea tree Leptospermum laevigatum
Freesia Freesia alba x leichtlinii
Spotted gum Eucalyptus maculata
Sweet pittosporum Pittosporum undulatum
Sydney golden wattle Acacia longifolia
Watsonia Watsonia spp.
Weeping white broom* Retama raetum

*not yet widespread weed
Fact sheets on these ten species are appended in Appendix 2.
WWF-Australia 55
7. Australian Capital Territory.
The ten most important garden plants currently for sale in the ACT are listed in Table 14.
Of the 720 naturalised garden plant species in Australia, 33 (4.6%) are available for sale in the ACT
(see Table 5). Of the 104 naturalised garden plant species in the ACT, none (0.0%) prohibited for sale
in the territory. Of the 23 garden plants naturalised in Australia and/or the ACT that are declared
noxious, 6 (26.1%) are available for sale in other jurisdictions.
Table 14. The ten most serious invasive garden plants available for sale in the
Australian Capital Territory
Black locust Robinia pseudoacacia
Broom Cytisus spp.
Broom Genista spp.
Cotoneaster Cotoneaster spp.
Firethorn Pyracantha spp.
Japanese honeysuckle Lonicera japonica
Lombardy poplar Populus nigra ‘Italica’
Olive Olea europaea
Radiata pine Pinus radiata
White poplar Populus alba
Fact sheets on these ten species are appended (Appendix 2).
56 WWF-Australia
8. Northern Territory. The lists of the most important garden plants for the Top End of the
Northern Territory and that for Central Australia are presented separately as Tables 15 and 16.
Of the 720 naturalised garden plant species in Australia, 75 (10.4%) are available for sale in the NT
(see Table 5). Of the 63 naturalised garden plant species in the NT, 26 (41.3%) prohibited for sale in
the territory. Of the 42 garden plants naturalised in Australia and/or the NT that are declared noxious,
13 (31.0%) are available for sale in other jurisdictions.
Table 15. The ten most serious invasive garden plants available for sale in the ‘Top
End’ of the Northern Territory
African tulip Spathodea campanulata
Candle bush Senna elata
Clumping fishtail palm Caryotis nitis
Golden shower Cassia fistula
Neem Azadarichta indica
Poinciana Delonix regia
Rubbervine Cryptostegia grandiflora
Snakeweeds Stachytarpheta spp.
White teak Gmelina arborea
Yellow bells Tecoma stans
Table 16. The ten most serious invasive garden plants available for sale in arid
Northern Territory
American cotton palm Washingtonia filifera
Couch grass Cynodon dactylon
Fountain grass Pennisetum setaceum
Himalayan raintree Dalbergia sissoo
Hybrid mother of millions Bryophyllum daigremontianum x B. tubiflorum
Lead tree (Coffee bush) Leucaena leucocephala subsp. glabrata
Mayne’s pest Verbena aristigera (= V. tenuisecta)
Pepper tree Schinus molle var. areira (=S. areira)
Umbrella sedge Cyperus involucratus
White cedar Melia azedarach
Fact sheets on the species listed in both Tables 15 and 16 are appended (Appendix 2).
WWF-Australia 57
Discussion
Hibbert (2002) lists a total of 411 suppliers of garden plants (380 nurseries and 31 seed suppliers) in
all states and mainland territories of Australia. The number of nurseries listed is about 12 % of all
production nurseries in Australia (NGIA 2003; Table 17). Our use of Hibbert’s list as the only
indication of what is available for sale nationally must thus be qualified by the small sample size for
the total. Another limitation, albeit a compensating one, of our use of Hibbert’s list is its emphasis on
“hard to find” plants rather than the common plants, such as roses, camellias, fruit trees and bedding
plants which dominate the nursery trade. For example, potted roses accounted for 3.4%, bedding
plants 10.1% and houseplants 9.1% of the sales of ‘greenlife’ products from production nurseries in
1996/97 (NGIA 2003).
Particular nurseries and their locations are listed by Hibbert (2002) because the book aims to provide
readers with information that will enable them to buy a particular species. In our report we do not
identify particular nurseries because of the view that the listing of a nursery does not mean that it is the
only nursery selling a particular plant. We also took the view that, as many of the nurseries listed in
Hibbert (2002) are wholesale, the plants they stock are likely to be available to retail nurseries
generally. For example, the proportionally high number of nurseries in Queensland reflects to some
extent cheaper production costs rather than higher demand. Many of the plants raised in Queensland
nurseries are actually sold in the southern states.
Table 17. Distribution of all production nurseries (NGIA 2003) compared to the
distribution of nurseries used in this report (Hibbert 2002)
State/Territory Number of production % Number of nurseries %

nurseries (NGIA 2003) in Hibbert (2002)
Australia 3046 100.0 380 100.0
New South Wales 1434 47.1 132 34.7
Queensland 751 24.7 65 17.1
South Australia 230 7.6 25 6.6
Tasmania 114 3.8 20 5.3
Victoria 643 21.1 105 27.6
Western Australia 261 8.6 26 6.8
ACT 13 0.4 1 0.3
Northern Territory 20 0.7 6 1.6
The national analysis also raises two instructive points. The first is that some introduced plants grown
in gardens are also used as plantation species. While commercially important, some of these plantation
species are also environmental weeds that have environmental costs. The box below outlines the
impacts of three of these species, radiata pine, olive and neem. The second point is that some native
plants cultivated as garden plants are also invasive in areas outside their natural range. The box below
highlights that the top ten list includes a native species, and that invasive garden plants are not only
restricted to introduced plants.
58 WWF-Australia
Box 6: Plantation trees gone wild
Plantation species of economic importance which have escaped to become naturalised

plants in natural areas pose special problems for weed management. Radiata pine (Pinus
radiata), Olive (Olea europaea), Neem (Azadarichta indica) and Sand box tree (Hura
crepitans) are two temperate and two tropical examples, respectively. More are likely to
emerge as the growth of a wider range of food and fibre species is encouraged.
Radiata pine is the most commonly grown plantation species in Australia. Other plantation
pine species include Cluster pine (P. pinaster) and Slash pine (P. elliottii) which are
naturalised in Western Australia and Queensland respectively. Aleppo pine (P. halepensis)
is not grown in plantations but is widely planted in rural areas and has been nominated as
one of the top ten invasive garden escapes in South Australia (Table 10).
All pines have winged seeds which aid their dispersal into bushland where they compete with
native species. Practically, it may never be possible to eliminate this dispersal while seed
sources remain. Some hybrids, e.g. those between Pinus elliottii and P. caribaea being
planted currently in Queensland, are reputed to be sterile and therefore not invasive and may
offer a long-term solution to the increasing problem of feral pines.
Olive (Olea europaea and subspecies) was an early introduction to Australia and is now
naturalised widely throughout southern regions. Its fruit are readily dispersed by birds and
foxes. In the last 10 years over 7 million trees have been planted and with this expansion
the potential for further dispersal into bushland has also increased. Olive is widely available
for sale in nurseries. The only possible reduction in its spread depends on modern breeding
techniques which could produce radically improved culivars with sterile seeds as well as
superior fruit. The incentive for research to achieve these improvements lies almost certainly
in the promise of higher oil yield rather than one of reduced weed potential.
Neem (Azadarichta indica) is another species whose useful properties have led to its
cultivation in plantations with little appreciation that it may escape to become invasive. It is
native to India, Myanmar and China where it has been cultivated for thousands of years for
its medicinal properties. Soaps, toothpaste and medicines are derived from the tree’s leaves,
bark, flowers, sap and seed kernels. It also has insecticidal properties. Neem was planted
as an ornamental tree around settlements and towns in the Northern Territory and was
promoted as a plantation species throughout northern Australia in the 1970s and 80s. This
material has now reached the fruiting stage and has considerable potential to spread. Its
fleshy fruits are attractive to birds and there is evidence that plantings in riparian zones will
result in spread for considerable distances downstream.
WWF-Australia 59
Box 7: Native plants outside their natural range can also be invasive
It isn’t that I don’t like

European trees.
Why, my great-grandfather came from…
Some of my best friends are…
But huddled together

in clumps and plantations
or lining the roads
like an official welcome
they look a bit lonely
slightly on guard, rather formal,
wishing the visit was over;
like the staff of an Embassy

at a party they don’t really trust.
(Judith Wright, Oaks etc, 1976)
The emphasis on all things Australian and concern for the natural environment which
occurred in the 1970s extended to widespread planting of native species in public and private
gardens. Often this was done with little understanding of how native plants would perform in
horticulture. If the plant occurred naturally somewhere in Australia it qualified for the term
‘native’ and was proudly grown. Some species failed while others were so successful they
sometimes ‘jumped’ the garden fence and became naturalised in the bush. At that time it
would have been un-Australian to call these species ‘weeds’.
The position has now changed, partly due to the failure of some native species to perform
well and because people now tend to like a plant for what it is rather than for its origin.
Where there is an emphasis on native plants in public plantings currently it is usually on
‘locally native’, i.e. species that occur or previously occurred naturally in the area where it is
to be planted. Some councils even require that plants be raised from seed or cuttings
collected within their local region.
The list of the top ten invasive garden plants available for sale in southern Western Australia
(Table 13) includes four native species, while that for Tasmania also includes the native
Pittosporum undulatum. Australia’s national floral emblem Acacia pycnantha is naturalised in
Western and South Australia and widely available for sale. It is doubtful if its invasive
potential was considered when it was proclaimed thus in 1988.
There will be further examples of plants native to Australia becoming weeds as more and
more native species are planted in parks and gardens or used to revegetate areas adjoining
nature reserves near Australian cities and towns, as well as in countries beyond Australia. If
we accept that species native to Australia can become invasive there is no reason to
distinguish between non-native and native species when developing management programs.
To quote Low (1999) “whether gardeners grow Australian or foreign plants matters less than
whether they grow invasive or benign plants”.
60 WWF-Australia
National Analysis – international and national listed weeds
Methods
The list of the 100 World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species (ISSG 2000) and the 20 naturalised species
on the WONS list were analysed to determine those species that are both invasive in Australia and
available for sale.
Results
World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species List
The World Conservation Union’s list of the 100 world’s worst invasive alien species (ISSG 2000)
includes 32 land plants and 4 aquatic plants. Of these 36 plants, 20 are included in Randall & Kessal’s
list and 9 are available for sale, i.e. one quarter of the total number (Table 18). Ten species are
prohibited from sale in at least one state and nine of the 20 are declared noxious in at least one
Australian state.
Table 18. Status of the World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species that are invasive garden
plants, their declared status (as of Jan. 2004), whether they are prohibited from sale
and their availability for sale (Hibbert 2002)
Species Naturalised Declared Prohibited Availability

(Common name) noxious from sale for sale
Arundo donax NSW,Vic,WA NSW NSW,Vic

(Giant reed)
Eichhornia crassipes Vic,NSW,Qld, Vic,NSW,Qld, Vic,NSW,Qld,

(Water hyacinth) NT,WA,ACT SA,NT,WA, Tas,NT,WA
Tas,ACT
Hedychium NSW Qld,NSW,

gardnerianum SA,Vic,NT
(Kahili ginger) WA
Lantana camara1 NSW,Qld,NT, NSW,NT,SA, SA,Qld,Tas, NT,WA,

(Lantana) WA WA,Tas,NT NT Vic
Leucaena leucocephala NT
(Leucaena)
Ligustrum robustum2 Vic,SA,NSW

(Privet)
Mimosa pigra NT Qld,WA,NT, SA,Qld,NT,

(Mimosa) SA WA
Opuntia stricta Vic,NSW,Qld, NSW,Qld,SA, Vic,NSW,Qld,

(Erect prickly pear) WA NT,WA,Vic NT,WA
Pinus pinaster Vic,SA,WA Vic

(Cluster pine)
Prosopis glandulosa Qld,WA Qld,WA,SA, Vic,NSW,Qld,

(Mesquite) NT,Vic,NSW NT,WA
WWF-Australia 61
Schinus terebinthifolius3 NSW,Qld,WA, NSW Qld Qld,NT

(Brazilian pepper tree)
Spartina anglica2 Vic

(Common cord grass)
Spathodea campanulata Qld,NT, Qld NT,WA

(African tulip tree)
Tamarix ramosissima NSW,Qld,WA NSW,NT

(Tamarisk)
Ulex europaeus Vic,SA,NSW, NSW,Vic,SA, Vic,Qld,Tas,

(Gorse) Tas,WA,ACT WA,Tas,ACT WA
Wedelia trilobata Qld,NSW NT,WA

(Wedelia)
1
Prohibited from sale in NT since Hibbert (2002)
2
Listed at generic level in Randall & Kessal (2004)
3
Prohibited from sale in Qld since Hibbert (2002)
Weeds of National Significance
Weeds Of National Significance (WONS) are 20 species that have been identified nationally as
causing significant environmental damage. Sixteen of the 20 WONS species are on the list of Randall
& Kessal (2004) as invasive garden plants, of which 5 (25%) are available for sale (Hibbert 2002).
These are Annona glabra, Asparagus asparagoides, Lantana camara, Salix spp. (S. cinerea,
S. purpurea and S. x sepulchralis var. chrysocoma) and Tamarix aphylla (Table 19).
Table 19. Status of Weeds Of National Significance (WONS) that are invasive garden
plants and currently available for sale
Species Naturalised in Declared Prohibited Available for sale

(Common name) noxious from sale (Hibbert 2002)
Anona glabra Qld SA,WA,Qld SA,Qld NSW

(Pond apple)
Asparagus Vic,SA,NSW, SA,Tas,NSW, SA,Qld,Tas NSW

asparagoides Tas,WA WA,Qld
(Bridal creeper)
Lantana camara NSW,Qld,NT,WA NSW,NT,SA, SA,Tas,NT,Qld WA,Vic

(Lantana)
Salix spp.
S. cinerea Vic,ACT - - Vic
S. purpurea ACT - - Vic
X sepulchralis NSW,ACT - - NSW
var. chrysocoma
(Willow)
Tamarix aphylla SA,NT,WA NT,SA,WA, SA,Qld,Tas,NT WA

(Athel pine) Qld
62 WWF-Australia
(b) IN RELATION TO AUSTRALIAN BIODIVERSITY
Methods
The naturalised species on the Alert List of Environmental Weeds were analysed for their current
availability for sale. Additionally, species listed in Tables 4 and 5 of Groves et al. (2003) were
analysed in relation to being naturalised non-native species known to have a direct impact on natural
ecosystems or on rare or threatened native plant (ROTAP) species.
Results
Alert List of Environmental Weeds
The National Alert List of Environmental Weeds identifies species that are in the early stages of
establishment and have the potential to become a significant threat to biodiversity if they are not
managed. This list includes 28 species of which 16 are included in Randall & Kessal (2004) and 11
are naturalised. Of these 11 species Hieracium aurantiacum, Lachenalia reflexa, Thunbergia
laurifolia and Tipuana tipu are currently for sale (Hibbert 2002) (Table 20).
Table 20. Status of Alert List species that are currently available for sale (Hibbert
2002)
Species Naturalised in Declared noxious Prohibited Available for

from sale sale (Hibbert 2002)
Hieracium Vic, NSW,Tas Vic, NSW, Tas, Vic,NSW, Qld

aurantiacum WA Tas
(Orange hawkweed)
Lachenalia WA Vic
reflexa
(Lachenalia)
Thunbergia Qld,NT Qld, WA Qld NT

laurifolia
(Laurel clock vine)
Tipuana tipu Qld NSW,NT,Qld,Vic

(Rosewood) WA
Weeds that Impact on ROTAP species
Forty nine naturalised non-native species which impacted on ANZECC-rated rare or threatened native
plant species were identified by Groves et al. (2003). Randall & Kessal (2004) listed 28 of these as
garden plants of which ten (37%) were listed for sale (Hibbert 2002). These species (Table 21) are
Asparagus asparagoides, Babiana angustifolia, Cinnamomum camphora, Coffea arabica, Cytisus
scoparius, Lantana camara, Myosotis sylvatica, Populus nigra cv. Italica, Romulea rosea and
Watsonia marginata. Four of these (Asparagus asparagoides, Cinnamomum camphora, Cytisus
scoparius and Lantana camara) are declared noxious in the same states in which they are listed for
sale by Hibbert (2002). In the case of NSW, this is due to regional declared weeds not being prohibited
for sale throughout the jurisdiction (eg. bridal creeper).
WWF-Australia 63
Table 21. Status of species impacting on ROTAP species which are invasive garden
plants and currently available for sale

noxious from sale (Hibbert 2002)
Asparagus Vic,NSW,SA, SA,Tas,NSW SA,Qld,Tas NSW

asparagoides Tas,WA WA,Qld
(Bridal creeper)
Babiana Vic,SA,WA - - Vic,Tas,NSW

angustifolia
(Baboon flower)
Cinnamomum NSW,Qld,WA NSW,Qld,WA NSW,Qld WA

camphora
(Camphor laurel)
Coffea arabica NSW,Qld - - NSW,Qld,NT

(Coffee)
Cytisus scoparius Vic,SA,NSW, NSW,Vic,SA, Tas, SA WA,NSW,Vic

(Scotch broom) Tas Tas,WA,ACT
Lantana camara NSW,Qld,NT, NSW,NT,SA, SA,Tas,NT, WA,Vic

(Lantana) WA WA,Tas,Qld Qld
Myosotis sylvatica Vic,WA - - Tas

(Woodland forget
me not)
Populus nigra Vic,WA,ACT - - NSW

cv. ‘Italica’
(Black poplar)
Romulea rosea Vic,WA - - Vic

(Onion grass)
Watsonia Vic,WA - - Vic,Tas

marginata
(Bordered
watsonia)
National Eradication Target Weeds
Thirty four naturalised non-native species which impacted on natural ecosystems were identified by
Groves et al. (2003), for which a national containment or eradication program was recommended. Six
of these species are listed by Randall & Kessal (2004) as naturalised invasive garden plants, of which
three are listed for sale. These are Lachenalia reflexa, Thunbergia laurifolia and Tipuana tipu (Table
22). Whilst Thunbergia lauriflolia is prohibited from sale in Queensland, where it is also declared
noxious, it is still available for sale in the Northern Territory (Hibbert 2002).
64 WWF-Australia
Table 22. Status of invasive garden plants currently available for sale that are species
recommended for eradication from natural ecosystems

(Common name) noxious from sale (Hibbert 2002)
Lachenalia WA - - Vic
reflexa
(Lachenalia)
Thunbergia Qld,NT Qld,WA Qld NT

laurifolia
(Laurel clock vine)
Tipuana tipu Qld - - NSW,NT,Qld,

(Rosewood) Vic,WA
Discussion
The results presented in Tables 20,21 and 22 clearly show that a number of invasive garden plants
that are known to impact directly on native plants and natural ecosystems are currently available for
sale from Australian nurseries. These results have serious implications for the biodiversity status of
native plants and natural ecosystems in Australia. The availability for sale of those invasive garden
plants is especially dire for those for which an eradication program was recommended. Money spent
on an eradication program will be wasted if the same plants are still available for sale and potentially
able to re-invade managed areas.
ISSG (2000) adopted two criterion in selecting species for their list of the Top 100 in the world, viz.
their serious impact on biodiversity and/or human activities, and their illustration of important issues
surrounding biological invasion. To ensure the inclusion of a wide variety of examples only one
species from each genus was selected, so that absence from the list of 100 does not imply that another
species poses a lesser threat.
At least four initiatives, both local and regional, have recently been productive in forging closer links
between nurseries and weed scientists to prevent the sale of known invasive garden plants that are
known to impact on natural ecosystems. For example, Ipswich and Logan shires near Brisbane have
local “Bushland Friendly Nursery Schemes’ in place, as does the regional NSW North Coast Weeds
Advisory Committee (Anon. n.d.). A similar scheme has recently been launched for gardeners in the
Greater Sydney District in conjunction with the NSW Nursery & Garden Industry (Anon. n.d.), the
booklet for which suggests some native species to grow in the Sydney region as alternatives to
invasive garden plants.
WWF-Australia 65
(C) WEEDS AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN RELATION TO AUSTRALIAN

AGRICULTURE
Methods
The data based on the information available on naturalised species of agricultural significance in
Groves et al. (2003) and in Randall & Kessal (2004) were examined in relation to grazing weeds
identified as of most significance to the grazing industry in the report, Weeds of Significance to the
Grazing Industries of Australia, jointly published by Meat and Livestock Australia and the Weeds
CRC (Grice 2003). A selection of cropping weeds that are escaped invasive garden plant species were
also identified.
Results
Nearly a fifth (19.6%) of the 720 naturalised invasive or potentially invasive garden plants are also
primarily agricultural or ruderal weeds (refer Table 23).
Of the 141invasive garden plants that are primarily an agricultural or ruderal weed nearly half (44.0%)
of invasive garden plants that are primarily agricultural or ruderal weeds are available for sale. By far
the highest number of plant species were available for sale in NSW (45 or 31.9%) followed some way
back by Queensland (19.1%) and Victoria (17.0%)
Over a quarter (26.2%) of those invasive garden plants that are primarily agricultural or ruderal weeds
are declared noxious.
Of concern is the large number of declared invasive garden plants that are primarily agricultural or
ruderal weeds that remain available for sale in other jurisdictions. The most affected states and
territories are Queensland (50.0%), Western Australia (33.3%) followed by Victoria (26.3%), South
Australia (25.0%) and Tasmania (25.0%).
Table 23. Naturalised invasive and potentially invasive garden plants that are primarily
agricultural or ruderal weeds
Jurisdiction Naturalised Naturalised in Primarily Primarily Primarily

Jurisdiction Agricultural Agricultural Agricultural or
and Primarily or Ruderal or Ruderal Ruderal Weeds
Agricultural Weeds and Weeds Declared Noxious
or Ruderal Declared Available for and Available for
Weed Noxious Sale Sale
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %

Australia 720 100.0 141 19.6 37 26.2 62 44.0 13 9.2
NSW 205 28.5 51 24.9 22 43.1 45 31.9 7 31.8
QLD 158 22.0 42 26.6 8 19.0 27 19.1 4 50.0
SA 161 22.5 35 21.7 16 45.7 6 4.3 4 25.0
TAS 152 21.0 22 14.5 16 72.7 19 13.5 4 25.0
VIC 409 57.0 73 17.9 19 26.0 24 17.0 5 26.3
WA 314 43.5 68 21.7 33 48.5 9 6.4 11 33.3
ACT 104 14.5 19 18.3 1 5.2 1 0.7 0 0.0
NT 63 9.0 14 22.2 6 42.9 5 3.5 1 16.7
Notes
1 Number naturalised includes all listed taxa (genera, species, sub-species) that are recorded as naturalised in
jurisdiction. Percentage is portion of Australian total, and is rounded to nearest 0.5% (Randall & Kessal 2004)
2 Declared noxious refers to taxa that are declared noxious under relevant state/territory government legislation in
respective jurisdiction. The Australian total refers to the number of taxa that are declared noxious in at least one State
66 WWF-Australia
or Territory jurisdiction. Percentage is portion of those invasive plants naturalised in jurisdiction that are declared
noxious, except for WA which also includes ‘unassigned’ species that may not yet be in WA and would be subject to a
weed risk assessment if importation is sought (AWC January, 2004). The NSW figure include regional declarations,
and these listed species may be available for sale in non-control areas.
3 Available for Sale refers to the number of plant species and taxa that are recorded for sale in Hibbert (2002). It
includes number of species recorded as available for sale in the respective jurisdiction plus the 1 species and taxa
recorded as ‘widely available’ (it is assumed that ‘widely available’ plants are available in all States and Territories).
Percentage is portion of total naturalised invasive plants that are primarily agricultural or ruderal weeds in Australia
that are recorded as available for sale in respective jurisdiction.
4 Declared noxious and available for sale refers to species and taxa that are declared noxious in one jurisdiction while
being available for sale in another jurisdiction. Percentage is portion of controlled agricultural or ruderal weeds in the
respective jurisdiction that are also recorded as available for sale in at least one Australian state or territory.
5 Naturalised and Prohibited for Sale in Jurisdiction refers to species and taxa that are both naturalised and prohibited
in the respective jurisdiction.
Sources: Hibbert 2002); Randall and Kessal (2004); Australian Weeds Committee (2004)
Impacts on cropping systems

Table 24 lists a number of significant cropping weeds that are escaped invasive garden plants.
Table 24: Selected invasive garden plants that are cropping weeds
Scientific name Common name Agricultural industry impacted
Allium vineale crow garlic, wild garlic, field garlic, wild onion, stag's Cereals, Nursery weed, Pome
garlic, scallions Fruits
Amaranthus albus tumble pigweed, white pigweed, prostrate pigweed, stiff
tumbleweed
Arctotheca calendula capeweed, cape daisy, cape marigold, marigold, Canola, Carrots, Cereals
silverspreader
Capsella bursa- shepherd's purse, lady’s purse, pepperplant, St James bulbs, Canola, Carrots, Cereals,
pastoris weed, shepherd’s pouch, mother’s heart, case weed, pick Melons , Cutflowers, Lupins,
weed Nursery weed, Pome Fruits,
Potato, Stonefruit
Cardaria draba hoary cress, white weed, pepperweed whitetop, white top, Canola, Cereals, Pome Fruits
hoary pepperwort, thanet cress, lepidium, perennial
peppergrass, heart podded hoary cress, cardaria, hoary
cardaria, whitlow pepperwort
Carduus nutans nodding thistle, musk thistle, nodding plumeless thistle, Grapevines, Nursery weed
chardon penche, musk thistle, plumeless thistle
Carthamus lanatus saffron thistle, distaff thistle, false star thistle, woolly Cereals
safflower, woolly star thistle, downy safflower
Chenopodium album white goosefoot, common lambsquarters, fat hen, lamb's bulbs, Canola, Carrots, Cereals ,
quarters, pigweed, baconweed, chou grass, fathen, forst Melons, Cutflowers, Lupins, Pome
bite, mealweed, pitseed goosefoot, white goosefoot, white Fruits, Potato, Stonefruit
pigweed, wild spinach, netseed lambsquarters, farinello
comune
Convolvulus field bindweed, bindweed, creeping Jenny, morning glory, Bananas, Canola, Carrots, Cereals,
arvensis perennial morningglory, small bindweed, cornbine, wild Melons, Cutflowers, Pome Fruits,
morning glory, small flowered morning glory, European Potato, Stonefruit
bindweed, corn bind, bear bind, green vine, akkerwinde,
klimop
Cucumis paddy melon, prickly paddy melon, bitter apple, Pome Fruits
myriocarpus gooseberry cucumber, small thorny cucumber, small wild
cucumber, small wild melon, striped wild cucumber, wild
cucumber, gooseberry gourd, bitterappel, gifappel,
isendelenja, mokapana, monyaku, thlare sa mpja, wilde
komkommer
Cyperus rotundus purple nutsedge, nutgrass, nutsedge, cocograss, red Bananas, Cereals, Melons, Nursery
nutsedge, water grass, red grass, Yaa haeo muu weed, Pome Fruits, Potato,
Stonefruit
Datura stramonium jimsonweed, Jamestown weed, thornapple, common thorn Bananas, Carrots, Cereals ,
apple, thornapple, mad apple, stinkwort, colenso weed, Nursery weed, Pome Fruits, Potato
common stinkapple, devil's apple, jimson weed
Echium Paterson's curse, salvation Jane, blue weed, Lady Pome Fruits, Stonefruit
plantagineum Campbell weed, purple bugloss, purple echium, purple
viper's bugloss, Riverina bluebell
WWF-Australia 67
Equisetum arvense field horsetail, scouring rush, western horsetail, horsetail, Canola, Cereals, Lupins, Nursery
foxtail, rush, horsetail fern, meadow pine, pine grass, weed, Pome Fruits, Potato
foxtailrush, bottle brush, horsepipes, snake grass, mare’s
tail, shave grass, coda cavallina
Eragrostis cilianensis stinking eragrostis, stink love grass, stink eragrostis, Cereals, Pome Fruits
stinkgrass, candy grass, lovegrass, spreading love grass
Galinsoga parviflora galinsoga, smallflower galinsoga, potato weed, gallant Carrots, Cereals, Melons,
soldier, yellow weed, joey hooker, small flowered Cutflowers, Potato
quickweed, galinsoga weed, chick weed, potato weed,
kew weed
Galium aparine cleavers, goosegrass, scratch grass, grip grass, Canola, Carrots, Cereals,
catchweed bedstraw, white hedge, bedstraw, stickywilly, Cutflowers, Grapevines, Lupins,
velcro plant, robin run over the hedge, attaccamano, Nursery weed, Pome Fruits, Potato
gallio, pega pega
Heliotropium blue heliotrope, wild verbena, clasping heliotrope,
amplexicaule purpletop, turnsole, wild heliotrope, verveine sauvage
Lactuca serriola prickly lettuce, wild lettuce, China lettuce, compass plant, Canola, Cereals, Melons, Pome
milk thistle, horse thistle, wild opium Fruits, Stonefruit
Onopordum Scotch thistle, cotton thistle, heraldic thistle, silver thistle,
acanthium woolly thistle, Scotch cotton thistle
Senecio vulgaris ragwort, groundsel, sticky groundsel, stinking groundsel, bulbs, Canola, Carrots, Cereals,
wood groundsel, senecione, old man in the spring, Melons, Cutflowers,Cutflowers,
grimsel, simson, bird seed, common fireweed Lupins, Nursery weed, Pome
Fruits, Stonefruit
Sisymbrium hedge mustard, hedge wild mustard, hedge weed, Nursery weed
officinale rohtopernaruoho, Erísimo, common hedge mustard
Solanum nigrum black fruited nightshade, black nightshade, blackberry, Canola, Carrots, Cereals, Melons,
common nightshade, deadly nightshade Cutflowers, Lupins, Pome Fruits,
Potato
Taraxacum officinale common dandelion, English dandelion, dandelion, little Cereals, Cutflowers, Nursery weed,
marsh dandelion, bog dandelion, lesser dandelion Pome Fruits, Potato, Stonefruit
Impacts on grazing industries
Invasive garden plants also have a significant impact to Australia’s grazing industries. The report,
Weeds of Significance to the Grazing Industries of Australia, published by the CRC for Australian
Weed Management and Meat and Livestock Australia Ltd identified those weeds of most significance
to the grazing industry (Grice 2003), of which a large proportion are escaped garden plants.
Of the 48 weeds identified as of greatest significance to Australian grazing industries, 20 (42 %) are
invasive garden plants of which 4 are still available for sale (refer Table 25).
Of the 24 emerging weeds identified as having the potential to become highly significant for grazing
industries, 13 or 54% are invasive garden plants, of which a third (8 or 33%) remain available for sale
(refer Table 26).
Other invasive garden plants that are identified in the report as grazing weeds that are recorded for sale
includes Artichoke Thistle (Cynara cardunculus) (Vic), Arum Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) (Sth
WA), Athel Pine (Tamarix aphylla) (NT), Broad leaved Pepper Tree (Schinus terebinthifolius)
(NSW), Camphor Laurel (Cinnamomum camphora) (NSW, Sth Qld), Cat’s Claw Creeper
(Macfadyena unguis-cati) (Sth Qld), Groundsel Bush (Baccharis halimifolia) (Sth Qld), Horehound
(Marrubium vulgare) (Vic), Onion Grass (Romulea rosea) (Inland NSW), (Scotch Broom (Cytisus
scoparius) (NSW), Sweet Briar (Rosa rubiginosa) (Vic) (Hibbert 2002; Grice 2003)
Other invasive garden plants that are identified in the report as grazing weeds that are not recorded for sale
includes Chinee Apple (Ziziphus mauritiana) (Nth Qld, NT), Dock (Rumex spp.) (Vic), Mouse-eared
Chickweed (Cerastium glomeratum) (Sth WA), Privet (Ligustrum lucidum, L. sinense) (NSW), Salvinia
(Salvinia molesta) (Nth Qld), Saffron Thistle (Carthamus lanatus) (Nth WA, Vic, Sth Qld), Water Hyacinth
(Eichornia csassipes) (Nth Qld, NSW) (Hibbert 2002; Grice 2003).
68 WWF-Australia
Table 25: Weeds of greatest significance to Australian grazing industries that are Invasive
garden plants
Weed Species Weed Species Region Impacted Available for

Common Name Scientific Name Sale
African Boxthorn Lycium ferocissimum Inland NSW No
African Lovegrass Eragrostis curvula Sth WA, Vic, Inland NSW, Sth Qld No
Blackberry Rubus fruticosus Sth WA, Vic, Inland NSW No
Cape Tulip Homeria miniata Sth WA, Vic No
Cape Weed Arctotheca calendula Sth WA, Vic, Inland NSW No
Creeping Lantana Lantana montevidensis Sth Qld Yes
Giant Sensitive Plant Mimosa pigra NT No
Gorse Ulex europaeus Vic, Inland NSW No
Lippia Phyla canescens Inland NSW, Sth Qld No
Lantana Lantana camara Nth Qld, Sth Qld, Coastal NSW Yes
Mesquite Prosopis spp. Nth Qld, NT, Nth WA, Inland No
NSW, Sth Qld
Mother of Millions Bryophyllum delagoense Inland NSW, Nth Qld, Sth Qld Yes
Parkinsonia Parkinsonia aculeata Nth Qld, NT, Nth WA No
Paterson’s Curse Echium plantagineum Sth WA, Inland NSW No
Rubber bush Calotropis procera NT, Nth Qld No
Rubber Vine Cryptostegia grandiflora Nth Qld No
Scotch Thistle Onopordum acanthium NSW No
Serrated Tussock Nassella trichotoma Inland NSW, Vic, Sth Qld No
St Johns wort Hypericum perforatum Inland NSW Yes
Wild radish Raphanus raphanistrum Sth WA No
Sources: Hibbert (2002); Grice (2003:105)
Table 26: Emerging weeds that are potentially significant problems for Australian
grazing industries that are also invasive garden plants
Weed Species Weed Species Region Impacted Available for

Common Name Scientific Name Sale
Cape Tulip Homeria miniata Sth WA, Vic No
Chincherinchee Ornithogalam thyrsoides Naturalised in NSW, SA, WA Yes
Chinese Elm Celtis sinensis NSW, Sth Qld No
Fountain Grass Pennisetum setaceum Sth Qld Yes
Green Cestrum Cestrum parquii NSW No
Hawkweeds Hieracium spp.
H. aurantiacum Yes
H. pilosella Yes
Lippia Phyla canescens NSW, Sth Qld No
Lincoln Weed Diplotaxis tenuifolia Naturalised in SA and Vic Yes
Mother of Millions Bryophyllum delagoense NSW, Sth Qld Yes
Neem Azadirachta indica NT Yes
Sisal hemp Agave sisalana WA Yes
Spotted knapweed Centaurea maculosa Currently expanding its range No
Yellow Oleander Cascabela thevetia Still restricted as naturalised plant Yes
Sources: Hibbert (2002); Grice (2003:111); Randall & Kessal (2004)
National Eradication Target Weeds
Twenty seven naturalised non-native species which impacted on agricultural ecosystems were
identified by Groves et al. (2003) for which a national containment or eradication program was
recommended. Three of these species are included in the list of Randall & Kessal (2004), of which
one – Hieracium aurantiacum – is listed for sale in Queensland but is declared noxious in Victoria,
NSW, Tasmania and Western Australia and prohibited from sale in Victoria, NSW and Tasmania.
This species is known to be naturalised in Tasmania and, more recently, in Victoria.
WWF-Australia 69
Discussion
It is of concern that some species that are declared noxious (mainly for their impact on agriculture) or
known to be impacting agricultural ecosystems in some way are still available for sale from Australian
nurseries. In some cases weeds declared noxious and prohibited from sale in one state may not have
the same status in another state.
But while plants can be freely moved interstate, such a situation becomes untenable nationally. For
instance, Lantana camara is both declared noxious and prohibited from sale in Queensland but in
neighbouring northern NSW it is still for sale by some nurseries.
Further, the interstate movement of people facilitates the demand for sale of agriculturally-significant
weeds by unwitting new arrivals from a different climatic region.
70 WWF-Australia
Chapter 6. Recommendations for Better

Management of Sale of Invasive Garden
Plants
An earlier attempt by the CRC for Weed Management Systems and the Nursery Industry Association
of Australia, the Garden Plants Under the Spotlight: an Australian strategy for invasive garden plants,
(Roush et al. 1999) to voluntarily remove from sale 52 species of garden plant failed. A recent
assessment of the extent to which this initiative achived “an expected reduction in the sale” of the 52
garden thugs showed that nationally there was no change in the number of garden thug taxa available
for commercial sale from nurseries from the commencement year, 1999, to 2002. In 1999, 22 garden
thugs were recorded for sale, and while there was some turn-over of species, 22 garden thug taxa were
also recorded for sale in 2002 (Glanznig et al 2004b). A major reason for this failure was the nursery
associations in some individual states not embracing the initiative, although it was supported by the
national body who participated actively in its formulation. However, there is at least one successful
local voluntary system of removal from sale of known invasive species in the ACT, but only over a
period of 10 years and after an impressive degree of persistence (Butler 2004).
This report, with the help of one expert weed scientist per region, has identified the ten most important
garden plants that are still available for sale nationally, which are all drawn from nine lists of the ten
most invasive garden plants in each State or Territory, with two lists from the Northern Territory.
Accordingly, our first two recommendations concern these species and their removal from sale
nationally.
Recommendation 1. At least 80 species that are currently available for sale should be prohibited
as an urgent priority. These include the species that are Weeds of National Significance, the
species on the Alert List, the species that are declared or noxious, and the 10 species that have
been shown to impact on ROTAP species.
Recommendation 2. The ten most important species of invasive garden plants available for sale
currently in Australia be removed from sale nationally from July 1, 2005. These ten species are
Asparagus fern (Asparagus scandens), Hybrid mother-of-millions (Bryophyllum
daigremontianum X B. delagoense), Broom (Cytisus spp.), Gazania (Gazania spp.), Glory lily
(Gloriosa superba), Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), Fountain grass (Pennisetum
setaceum), Sweet pittosporum (Pittosporum undulatum), Pepper tree (Schinus molle, syn. S.
areira) and Periwinkle (Vinca major).
Recommendation 3. Many other invasive garden plants nominated for individual states,
territories or regions should be added progressively to the list of weeds prohibited from sale
nationally.
In view of the extensive pattern of interstate movements of people (to Queensland predominantly in
the year 2001/02, the latest year for which figures are available) and the different legislation for
prohibition of sale of plants that exists between state legislatures, new legislation needs to be enacted
at the federal level and be incorporated as amendments or new regulations to the EPBC Act. Table 17
shows that the highest number of nurseries is in Queensland. Presumably, a lot of that material is
transported interstate, e.g. to Victoria, on a seasonal basis. Only a national prohibition on sale will
overcome such interstate movements of plant material for sale.
This report has shown that a number of weeds of major national significance (WONS, Alert List
species, those identified as having an impact on ROTAP species, noxious or declared species and
WWF-Australia 71
those recommended for containment or eradication from both natural and agricultural ecosystems) are
still available for sale in Australia.
Recommendation 4. Amendments or new regulations to the current Environment Protection and

Biodiversity Conservation Act (Federal) should be considered, to allow national prohibition of the
sale of specific nursery plants known to be major weeds and to ensure uniformity between all
states and territories.
The above four recommendations are largely re-active to the current situation as we have analysed it.
They concern horticultural species that have entered Australia some years ago and are already
invasive. To reduce the chances for other deliberately introduced plant species to become weedy by
‘jumping the garden fence’, we have also formulated the three following pro-active recommendations.
There already exist a few voluntary associations between nursery groups and weed scientists, as
highlighted earlier in this report. These associations are successful, in our opinion, and do much to
educate the wider community about the impacts of weeds on natural ecosystems and increase the
community’s awareness of specific weed species.
Recommendation 5. Voluntary associations between nursery groups and weed scientists at the
local and regional levels should be fostered to increase the number and effectiveness of future
associations.
To further limit the number of new and emerging species that are presently becoming naturalised
around Australia’s cities, especially those settlements abutting national parks and nature reserves, the
CRC for Australian Weed Management has commenced monitoring the edges of the Blue Mountains
National Park where those edges adjoin houses and gardens. Already a number of newly naturalised
species have been detected and plans for their containment or eradication proposed.
Recommendation 6. Bushland areas adjoining peri-urban settlements around Australian cities

should be actively and regularly searched by experienced botanists and trained community
volunteers to detect and eradicate newly naturalised species that have already ‘jumped the
garden fence’.
Finally, at each stage of the invasion pathway and applying equally to each of the above six
recommendations, but especially to the above two pro-active recommendations, there is an urgent
need for education programs to raise the awareness of Australia’s communities and media to the on-
going problem of weeds and of means to reduce the impact of such species on the nation’s economy
and the population’s quality of life.
Recommendation 7. Increased resources should be provided to advance the awareness of the

Australian community to the negative impacts that many established and emerging weeds are
having on natural and agricultural ecosystems and will have in the future, focusing especially on
those already growing in Australian private and public gardens.
72 WWF-Australia
Chapter 7. Concluding Discussion

This report has focused on one stage – the naturalisation stage – in the overall invasion process. It has
necessarily ignored the continuing introduction of new plant material to Australia regulated by
quarantine (but see Spafford Jacob et al. (2004) and Glanznig (2005) for a discussion of the remaining
problems at this stage of the invasion process). Nor has this report made any recommendations about
improved management systems for the invasive plants that are already naturalised and now form about
10% of Australia’s plant diversity and affect all natural and agricultural ecosystems. Rather it has
concentrated on the transition from cultivation of plant species in a garden situation to the stage when
it is newly naturalised in the bush.
At each stage in the invasion process there is a marked decrease (of the order of 90%) in the number of
species moving from one stage to another. The majority of plants available for sale by nurseries are
not likely to become invasive in Australian ecosystems. We have concentrated on the relatively small
proportion that have become invasive or will most probably do so in the near future, in the hope of
minimizing that number still further. The most cost-effective way to do so is to limit their availability
at the point of sale. For its own professional status, the nursery and gardening industry can no longer
afford to be seen to be selling invasive plants, as it has in the past. We urge it to form effective
partnerships with weed scientists and invasion biologists to further study the transition from garden to
bush, pasture or cropland and thereby be seen by the Australian community as an industry both more
responsible and more responsive to the present and future problems facing the biological diversity or
economic sustainability of Australian ecosystems. This report has discussed the past and present
relationships existing between weeds and the nursery industry as quantitatively as possible. We have
made some recommendations to address the present situation as we see it, as well as formulating three
pro-active recommendations in the hope that the future rate of naturalisation will decrease. To be seen
as responsible for introducing two thirds of Australia’s present weeds may be less damning for the
nursery industry than for the latter to be seen in the eyes of our grandchildren to have done nothing
about the present and predictable future situations, despite several warnings. A start in forging closer
links between invasion biologists and nursery sales people has begun at the local and regional levels
but such co-operation must also be at the national level.
Removal of plant species from sale because of their known invasive properties will help overcome the
past and present situations. But the nursery industry is prone to promoting novelty and creating
fashions in landscaping. We were unable to identify likely emerging weeds of cropping areas or in
salinity amelioration having their origin in horticulture. The promotion of drought-hardy species, and
especially of ‘xerophytic’ perennial grasses, to meet current demands in southern Australia to reduce
water usage by home gardeners is predictable and has already begun. Many such grasses are already
invasive in natural grasslands and pasture, e.g. Nassella spp. The attempt by the CRC for Weed
Management Systems to remove Nassella tenuissima from sale in Victoria has been both
economically beneficial (see earlier) and an indication of the sort of problems to come. The discovery
of 21 plants of the same species still available for sale in another Victorian nursery in February 2004
highlights the seriousness of the situation. And yet such species are still being promoted by
irresponsible and uninformed journalists in Australian (and British) horticultural journals. As such,
there remains much to be done to encourage the media to select and promote garden plants that are
non-invasive.
WWF-Australia 73
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WWF-Australia 77
Appendix 1. National list of naturalised invasive and potentially invasive

garden plants (based on Randall & Kessal (2004) but without their ‘sleeper’
category).
No Species Common name Naturalised Enviro Australian National Declared Noxious Prohibited Available for Available for
Where? Score (5) Rating importance Where? from sale/ sale sale
(Jan.2004) Where (Aussie Plant (All
Finder) references)(1)
1. Acacia baileyana Cootamundra wattle, Bailey’s Vic, SA, NSW, HXXXXH Widely Y
wattle Qld, WA, ACT available
2. Acacia cyclops red eye, rooikrans acacia, SA X NSW, WA(4), Y
western coastal wattle, SA
redwreath acacia, cyclops
acacia
3. Acacia dealbata silver wattle, black wattle, WA X Widely Y
Tasmania mimosa, blue wattle available
4. Acacia decurrens green wattle, early black wattle, Vic, SA, Qld, HXXXX NSW, Vic, Y
black wattle WA, ACT WA(4)
5. Acacia elata cedar wattle, mountain cedar Vic, NSW, WA HXX NSW, Vic, Y
wattle, peppertree wattle WA(4)
6. Acacia farnesiana huisache, mimosa bush, Qld, WA XH 5 Qld, NSW Y
Ellington curse, perfumed wattle,
cassie flower, sponge flower,
sweet acacia, arapiraca, corona
christi
7. Acacia floribunda catkin wattle, white sallow Vic X Widely Y
wattle, sally wattle available
8. Acacia iteaphylla Flinders Range wattle Vic, SA XX Widely Y
available
9. Acacia longifolia Sydney golden wattle Vic, SA, WA HXX Y
var. longifolia
10. Acacia longifolia sallow wattle Vic X NSW, Vic, Tas, Y
var. sophorae SA
11. Acacia longifolia Sydney golden wattle, long Vic, SA, WA HXX Widely Y
leaved wattle, langblaarwattel, available
sallow wattle, Port Jackson
acacia
12. Acacia Australian blackwood, WA X Widely Y
melanoxylon blackwood, blackwood acacia, available
Australiese swarthout, Australian
ysterhout, Tasmanian
blackwood
13. Acacia paradoxa prickly acacia, acacia hedge, ACT, Sleeper SX NSW, Vic, SA Y
hedge acacia, hedge wattle,
kangaroo acacia, kangaroo
thorn, paradox acacia
14. Acacia Queensland silver wattle, pearl Vic, SA, NSW XXX Widely Y
podalyriifolia acacia, Mount Morgan wattle, available
vaalmimosa
15. Acacia pravissima ovens wattle, alpine wattle Vic X Widely Y
available
16. Acacia prominens Gosford wattle, golden rain Vic H Vic, NSW Y
wattle
(3)
17. Acacia pycnantha golden wattle, Australian golden SA, Tas , WA XXX Widely Y
wattle, blackwood, gouewattel, available
broad leaved wattle
18. Acacia retinodes everblooming acacia, water Vic H Vic,Tas, NSW Y
wattle, wirilda, wirilda wattle
19. Acacia saligna Port Jackson willow, golden Vic, SA, NSW HXH NSW, Tas, Y
(4)
wreath wattle, blue leaved WA , Vic, SA
wattle, orange wattle
20. Acacia sophorae coast wattle, coastal wattle Vic X NSW, Vic, Tas, Y
SA
21. Acaena agnipila Australian sheep’s burr, sheep's WA X Vic Y
burr
22. Acanthus mollis bears breeches, artists acanthus Vic X 2 Widely Y
available
23. Acer negundo boxelder, ashleaf maple, box Vic, NSW, XXX 4 Widely Y
(3)
elder maple, Manitoba maple ACT available
24. Acer sycamore, great maple, Vic, Tas, HXS 4 WA Y
pseudoplatanus planetree maple Sleeper
25. Acetosa sagittata rambling dock, climbing sorrel, NSW, Qld, WA HXX 3 NSW, WA NSW
turkey rhubarb
26. Acetosa vesicaria bladder dock, wild hops, rosy NT H 5
dock, ruby dock
27. Achillea millefolium common yarrow, yarrow, milfoil, Vic, ACT XX 5 Qld, NSW, Tas, Y
thousand leaf, bloodwort, Vic
sanguinary
28. Achyranthes chafflower, dombo, tamatama, WA X NSW Y
aspera aerofai, lautafifi, talamoa fisi,
Devil's horsewhip, piripiri, sono
ivi, rough chaff flower, lau
tamatama
29. Actinotus helianthi flannel flower Vic X NSW, Vic, WA Y
30. Adonis microcarpa small fruited pheasant's eye, SA X 3 SA, WA SA
pheasant's eye, red chamomile,
yelllow pheasant's eye
31. Aeonium arboreum golden aeonium, tree aenium WA X 3 NSW Y
32. Agapanthus spp. agapanthus, ladybells Vic H ? Y
33. Agave americana American agave, century plant, Vic X ? Qld Y
maguey, American aloe
78 WWF-Australia
(1)
Finder) references)
34. Agave sisalana sisal hemp, sisal, garingboom, WA X 4 NSW Y
hemp plant
35. Agave spp. agave NSW X
36. Ageratina crofton weed, catweed, hemp NSW, Qld HX 5 NSW, WA
adenophora agrimony, Mexican devil, sticky
agrimony, sticky eupatorium,
sticky snakeroot, maui pamakani
37. Ageratina riparia mistflower, catspaw, creeping NSW, Qld HX 5 NSW, NT, WA NT Tas Y
crofton weed, river eupatorium,
small crofton weed, white weed
38. Agonis flexuosa WA willow myrtle, willow myrtle, Vic, WA XX Widely Y
peppermint Willow myrtle available
39. Agrostis capillaris colonial bentgrass, common Vic, Tas, HX ?
bent, brown top bent
40. Agrostis stolonifera creeping bent, redtop, creeping Vic, Tas HX 4
bentgrass, seaside bentgrass
41. Ailanthus altissima tree of heaven, copal tree, Vic, SA, NSW, XHXXXH 5 NSW, Vic, WA Vic Y
varnish tree, hemelboom, Qld, WA, ACT
Chinese sumac, stinking cedar
42. Ajuga reptans bugle, bugleweed, common Tas H 4 NSW, Vic, Tas, Y
bugle, creeping bugleweed, Qld
carpet bugle, rönsyakankaali,
blue bugle
43. Albizia lebbeck lebbeck tree, Indian siris, siris SA, Qld XX 3 NT Y
tree, Indian albizia, East Indian
walnut, bois noir, kokko,
trongkon mames, woman's
tongue tree
44. Alectryon woolly rambutan NSW X NSW Y
tomentosus
45. Allamanda yellow trumpet vine, allamanda, Qld(3) X 3 NT, WA Y
cathartica golden allamanda, golden cup,
lani ali'I, pua tanofo
46. Allium wild leek, broadleaf wild leek, WA X 1 Qld, NSW, Tas, Y
ampeloprasum elephant garlic Vic
47. Allium white garlic, flowering onion, Vic X 1 Qld, NSW, Tas, Y
neapolitanum false garlic, Naples onion, Vic
daffodil garlic
48. Allium triquetrum three cornered leek, angled Vic, SA, WA HHH 5 Vic, SA, WA Vic NSW Y
onion, flowering onion, three
corner garlic, triangular stalked
garlic
49. Allium vineale crow garlic, wild garlic, field SA, NSW HX 3 Vic, SA, Tas, WA Vic, Tas, SA
garlic, wild onion, stag's garlic,
scallions
50. Alnus glutinosa black alder, European alder, ACT Sleeper SH NSW, Vic Y
alder, common alder, sticky
alder
51. Alstroemeria aurea alstroemeria, yellow Vic H 4 NSW Y
alstroemeria
52. Alstroemeria parrot alstroemeria Vic, WA XXX 4 NSW, Vic, Qld Y
pulchella
53. Alternanthera alligator weed, pig weed, NSW, Qld, XXSH 5 W NSW, Vic, Qld, Vic, NSW, Qld,
philoxeroides alligator grass, Phak pet nam ACT, Sleeper SA, NT, WA, Tas, Tas, NT, WA,
ACT SA
54. Amaranthus albus tumble pigweed, white pigweed, Tas, WA HX 3
prostrate pigweed, stiff
tumbleweed
55. Amaranthus spiny amaranth, spiny pigweed, Tas X 5
spinosus bledo macho, spring pigweed,
Phak khom nam
56. Amaranthus viridis slender amaranth, green NSW X 5
amaranth, Prince of Wales
feather, green pigweed,
pigweed, Pak khom
57. Amaryllis belladonna lily, kapamaryllis SA, WA XX 2 NSW, Vic, SA Y
belladonna amaryllis
58. Ambrosia western ragweed, perennial SA, NSW XX 5 NSW, Vic, SA, NT, Vic, NT, SA
psilostachya ragweed, cuman ragweed WA
59. Ammophila European beachgrass, marram Vic, SA, Tas, HXXX 5
arenaria grass, rantakaura WA
60. Anagallis arvensis scarlet pimpernel, blue Vic, NSW,WA HXH 4
pimpernel, pimpernel
61. Andropogon broomsedge, whisky grass, NSW, Qld XX 5
virginicus yellow bluestem, broomsedge
bluestem, sedge grass, beard
grass
62. Angophora costata apple jack, smooth angophora, Vic X Widely Y
red gum available
63. Annona glabra pond apple, alligator apple, Qld(3) X 4 W SA, WA, Qld SA, Qld NSW Y
bullock's heart, cherimoyer, uto
ni mbulumakau, kaitambo,
custard apple
64. Anredera cordifolia Madeira vine, heartleaf Vic, SA, NSW, HXHXXS 5 NSW, WA, Qld Qld, NSW
madeiravine, mignonette vine, Qld, WA,
lamb's tail, madeiraranka Sleeper
65. Anthemis cotula stinking mayweed, dillweed, WA X 4 Tas, WA Tas
dog's camomile, dog daisy, dog
fennel, mather, mayweed,
stinking chamomile
66. Anthoxanthum sweet vernalgrass, scented Vic,Tas, WA, HXHS 4 Qld, NSW Y
odoratum vernal grass, flouve odorante, Sleeper
tuoksusimake
WWF-Australia 79
(1)
Finder) references)
67. Apium graveolens celery, garden celery, wild Vic, WA XX 2 NSW, Tas, Vic Y
celery, selleri, zeler voÀav˘
68. Aponogeton cape water hawthorn, cape Vic, Tas HX 4 NSW, Vic, SA Y
distachyos pondweed, cape pond lily, dog
with two tails
69. Aptenia cordifolia heartleaf iceplant, red apple, Vic, Tas, WA XXX 3 NSW, WA, Qld Y
baby sun rose
70. Aquilegia vulgaris columbine, European columbine, Vic X 2 Vic, Tas Y
lehtoakileija
71. Araujia sericifera moth catcher, white bladder Vic, SA, NSW, XXHXS 5 NSW, WA NSW
flower, moth plant, moth vine, Qld, Sleeper
motvanger, bladder flower, cruel
plant, glehold plant, milkwee,
stranglehold plant
72. Arbutus unedo strawberry tree Vic, SA, XXS 2 NSW, Vic, WA, Y
Sleeper Tas
73. Arctotheca capeweed, cape daisy, cape Vic, NSW, NT, HXXXX 5
calendula marigold, marigold, WA, ACT
silverspreader
74. Arctotis venusta free state daisy, white arctotis, Vic X
blue eyed African daisy, silverga
hopeasilm
75. Ardisia crenata coral berry, coral ardisia, hen’s NSW, Sleeper XS 1 Qld Y
eyes, hilo holly
(3)
76. Ardisia humilis shoebutton ardisia NT X 3 Y
77. Arenaria WA X 2
serpyllifolia
78. Argemone Mexican poppy, devil's fig, NT, WA HX 5 NT, WA NT, WA
ochroleuca golden thistle of Peru, Mexican
pricklepoppy, Mexican thistle,
prickly poppy, white thistle,
yellow poppy
79. Argemone Mexican poppy, devil's fig, Qld, NT, WA XXX 5 WA WA
subfusiformis golden thistle of Peru, Mexican
pricklepoppy, Mexican thistle,
prickly poppy, white thistle,
yellow poppy
80. Aristea ecklonii blue stars, blue corn lily, aristea Vic, Sleeper XS 2 NSW, Qld, SA, Y
Vic, WA
81. Aristolochia Dutchman's pipe, calico flower NSW, Qld, XXS 5 WA, Qld Qld WA Y
elegans Sleeper
82. Arrhenatherum tall oatgrass, false oatgrass, Vic X ?
elatius French oatgrass
83. Artemisia wormwood, absinth sagewort, Tas, WA XX 1 NSW, Tas, Vic, Y
absinthium absinth wormwood, assenzio Qld
romano, palina pravá
84. Arum italicum Italian cuckoo pint, Italian arum, Vic, WA XX 2 Tas, Vic, SA Y
Italian lords and ladies, Italian
lily
85. Arundo donax giant reed, arundo, giant reed, Vic, NSW, WA XXX ? NSW, WA NSW NSW, Vic Y
gasau ni vavalagi, bamboo reed,
Spanish reed, grand roseau,
canne de Provence, Spaanse
riet, giant Danube reed, bamboo
reed, false bamboo, elephant
grass, wild cane, fiso papâlagi,
Canna
86. Asclepias red head cottonbush, blood WA X 4 Qld, NSW Y
curassavica flower, redhead, butterfly weed,
bloodflower milkweed, scarlet
milkweed
87. Asparagus asparagus fern, lukungwisa, NSW, Sleeper XS 5 Qld Qld Y
africanus climbing asparagus
88. Asparagus bridal creeper, bridal veil Vic, SA, NSW, HHXHH 5 W SA, Tas, NSW, SA, Qld, Tas NSW Y
asparagoides creeper, baby smilax, African Tas, WA WA, Qld
asparagus fern, smilax
89. Asparagus pale berry asparagus fern, SA, WA XX 4 SA, WA SA
declinatus asparagus fern, bridal vale
90. Asparagus emerald feather, asparagus fern, Vic, NSW, Qld, XHXS 5 NSW, WA NSW NSW, Vic, NT Y
densiflorus sprengeri fern, bushy Sleeper
asparagus, proTasparagus,
Sprenger's asparagus fern
91. Asparagus asparagus, asparágus lekársky Vic, ACT HX 4 Qld, Tas, NSW Y
officinalis
92. Asparagus climbing asparagus fern NSW, Qld, ACT XXX 5 NSW, Qld, WA Qld, NSW NSW Y
plumosus
93. Asparagus asparagus fern, climbing Vic, NSW, Tas XXH 5 Y
scandens asparagus
94. Asphodelus onion weed, asphodel, hollow Vic, SA, NSW, HXXX 5 NSW, Vic, NT, Tas, NT, Vic NSW Y
fistulosus stemmed asphodel, wild onion WA Tas, SA, WA,
95. Aster subulatus slender aster, aster, slim aster, Vic, SA, Qld, HXXX 4
aster weed, bushy starwort, wild WA
aster
96. Atriplex prostrata hastate orache, orache, spear Vic, WA HX 5
leaved orache, triangle orache,
isomaltsa, loboda rozprestretá
97. Avena sativa wild oat, common oat, oat, sativa Vic X 4
oat, ovos siaty
(3)
98. Azadirachta indica neem, Indian lilac, margosa tree, NT X 2 Qld, NSW, NT Y
nim tree
99. Babiana baboon flower, babiana Vic, SA, WA XXX 5 Vic, Tas, NSW Y
angustifolia
80 WWF-Australia
(1)
Finder) references)
100. Baccharis tree groundsel, groundsel bush, NSW, Qld HX 5 NSW, Qld, NT, WA Qld, NT NSW Y
halimifolia eastern baccharis, groundel,
groundsel baccharis, groundsel
tree
101. Baeckea virgata tall baeckea Vic X Widely Y
available
(3) (3)
102. Barleria prionitis barleria, porcupine flower Qld , NT , XXX 3 A NT, WA NT
WA(3)
103. Bellis perennis English daisy, lawndaisy, Vic, Tas XX 4 NSW Y
European daisy
104. Berberis darwinii Darwin’s barberry, berberis, Vic, Sleeper XS 4 NSW, Vic Y
barberry
105. Betula nigra river birch, red birch, black birch WA X 1 NSW, Vic, Qld Y
106. Bidens pilosa hairy beggarticks, cobbler's NSW, Qld, HXXX 4
pegs, beggar's tick, pitch forks, WA, ACT
stick tights, burr, Spanish
needle, fisi'uli, kofe tonga, tae
puaka, matua kamate, black
jack, bur marigold, cadillo de
huerta, chipaca, maswquia,
mozote, papunga, Puen nok sai
107. Borago officinalis borage, common borage, borák Vic X 2 Qld, NSW, Tas Y
lekársky
108. Brachiaria mutica para grass, buffalo grass, NSW, Qld, NT, XXHH 5
California grass, buffalo grass, WA
Mauritius grass, puakatau,
scotch grass, panicum grass,
Yaa khon
109. Brachychiton kurrajong, bottle tree, WA X Widely Y
populneus brachychiton available
110. Brassica twiggy turnip, Mediterranean Vic X 3
fruticulosa cabbage
111. Brassica napus swede, kale, rape, canola, turnip WA X 2 Tas Y
112. Brassica wild turnip, Mediterranean Vic, Tas, NT, HHHH 5
tournefortii mustard, Mediterranean turnip, WA
Asian mustard, Moroccan
mustard, African mustard, prickly
turnip, sahara mustard,
välimerenkaali, turnip weed
113. Briza maxima large quaking grass, blowfly Vic, NSW, Qld, HXXXH 5
grass, bronco grass, lady's heart Tas, WA
grass, large fairy bells, quacking
grass, shaky grass, fairy bells,
quivering grass, great quaking
grass, big quaking grass
114. Briza minor littlequakinggrass, pikkuräpelö, Vic, SA, NSW, XXXXXH 5
little fairy bells, quaking grass, Qld, Tas, WA
small quaking grass, shivery
grass, fairy bells, lesser quaking
grass, shivery grass
115. Bryophyllum hybrid mother-of-millions NSW (3) X 5 NSW, Qld, WA Qld
daigremontianum
X B.delagonese
116. Bryophyllum mother of millions, chandelier NSW, NT(3) H, X 5 NSW, Qld, WA Qld NSW Y
delagoense plant
117. Bryophyllum live plant, live leaf NSW, Qld XX 4 NSW, WA NSW Y
pinnatum
118. Buddleja davidii orange eye butterfly bush, Vic, Tas, HXS 3 Qld, Vic, NT Y
summer lilac, buddleia, purple Sleeper
buddleia, butterfly bush
119. Buddleja butterfly bush smoke bush, SA, NSW, Qld, XXXX 3 NSW, Vic Y
madagascariensis buddleia, butterfly bush, WA
buddleja bush, smokebush
120. Cabomba fanwort, cabomba, Carolina Vic, NSW, Qld, XXXXX 5 W Qld, WA, NSW, SA, Qld, Tas, SA(4) Y
caroliniana watershield, fish grass, NT, ACT(3) SA, Tas, NT, ACT NT, WA, NSW
Washington grass, watershield,
green cabomba
121. Caesalpinia Mauritius thorn, mysore thorn, NSW, Qld XX 4 NSW, WA Y
decapetala thorny poinciana, shoofly, wait a
while, whoa back
122. Cakile edentula sea rocket, American sea rocket Vic, SA, WA XXX 4
123. Cakile maritima sea rocket, European searocket Vic, SA, WA XXH 5
124. Calamagrostis wood smallreed, chee Tas X 2
epigejos reedgrass, bush grass,
hietakastikka
125. Calicotome spiny broom, thorny broom Vic, Sleeper HS 3 Vic, WA Vic
spinosa
126. Callistemon rigidus bottlebrush, stiff leaved Vic H Vic, NSW, Tas, Y
bottlebrush WA
127. Callitris endlicheri black cypress pine, red cypress Vic H NSW Y
pine
128. Callitris oyster bay pine Vic X Vic, NSW, Tas, Y
rhomboidea Qld
129. Calotropis procera calotropis, rubber bush, apple of Vic, Qld, NT, XXHH 5 NT, WA NT, WA Y
Sodom, Indian milkweed, King's WA
crown kapok, rubber tree,
roostertree, Dead Sea apple,
poumpoumssé
130. Calystegia silvatica shortstalk false bindweed, Vic H 3
greater bindweed, great
bindweed, large bindweed
WWF-Australia 81
(1)
Finder) references)
131. Canna indica Indian canna, canna, Indian NSW, WA HX 2 Qld, NSW Y
shot, wild canna, canna lily,
mongos halum tano, fanamanu,
apeellap, oruuru
132. Cannabis sativa Indian hemp, marijuana, dacha, ACT H 2 Vic, WA Vic
grass, pot, redroot, Russian
hemp, dagga, dagga canopy,
fragrant weed, gallow grass,
grass, hemp, native hemp, soft
hemp, hashish, Mary Jane,
bangui, canapa, konopa siata,
mbanje, marryjoanna
133. Capsella bursa- shepherd's purse, lady’s purse, Vic, SA, NSW, XXXXXX 4
pastoris pepperplant, St James weed, Qld, Tas, WA
shepherd’s pouch, mother’s
heart, case weed, pick weed
134. Cardamine hirsuta hairy bittercress, common Vic, NSW, WA XXX 5
bittercress, hoary bittercress,
popping cress
135. Cardaria draba hoary cress, white weed, Tas, Sleeper XS 5 NSW, Vic, SA, Vic, Tas, WA,
pepperweed whitetop, white top, WA, Tas SA
hoary pepperwort, thanet cress,
lepidium, perennial peppergrass,
heart podded hoary cress,
cardaria, hoary cardaria, whitlow
pepperwort
136. Cardiospermum balloon vine, heart seed, NSW, Qld HX 5 NSW, Qld, WA Qld, NSW
grandiflorum blaasklimop, balloon vine, showy
balloonvine, large balloon
creeper
137. Cardiospermum balloonvine, heart pea, winter WA H ?
halicacabum cherry
138. Carduus nutans nodding thistle, musk thistle, ACT H 5 NSW, Vic, Tas, Vic, Tas, WA
nodding plumeless thistle, WA
chardon penche, musk thistle,
plumeless thistle
139. Carex albula New Zealand hair sedge Tas X 2 Tas, WA Tas NSW Y
140. Carex testacea New Zealand sedge Tas X 2 Tas, WA Tas NSW, WA Y
141. Carpobrotus angled pigface Vic, Tas, WA HXX 4
chilensis
142. Carpobrotus edulis Hottentot fig, ice plant, freeway Vic, SA, WA HXH 5
iceplant, sour fig, common
hottentot fig, sea fig
143. Carrichtera annua Ward’s weed Vic, SA, NSW, HXXXH 5
Tas, WA
144. Carthamus lanatus saffron thistle, distaff thistle, Vic, SA, NSW, XXXXXXH 5 NSW, NT, WA, Tas, NT, Vic,
false star thistle, woolly Qld, NT, WA, Tas, Vic WA
safflower, woolly star thistle, ACT
downy safflower
145. Carthamus safflower, värisaflori Tas X 3
tinctorius
146. Caryota mitis fishtail palm, clustered fishtail NT(3) X 2 Qld, NSW, NT Y
palm, Burmese fishtail palm
147. Cassia fistula golden shower, golden rain tree, Qld, NT XX 3 NSW, NT, WA Y
Indian laburnum, purging cassia
148. Cassia siamea cassod tree, msonobali Qld X Qld Y
149. Casuarina glauca Australian pine, saltmarsh WA X Widely Y
ironwood, suckering casuarina, available
swamp oak, Brazilian oak, gray
sheoak
150. Catharanthus Madagascar periwinkle, vinca, NSW, Qld, WA, XXXS 4 Qld Y
roseus pink periwinkle Sleeper
151. Celtis australis European hackberry, nettle tree NSW, ACT XX 3 NSW, Vic Y
152. Celtis sinensis Chinese elm, celtis, Chinese NSW, Qld, HXS 5 NSW, Qld Qld Y
celtis Sleeper
153. Centaurea purple starthistle, red star thistle, Vic, Qld, WA, HXXH 5 NSW, Vic, WA Vic
calcitrapa star thistle, caltrop, maize thorn ACT
154. Centaurea Maltese star thistle, Napa star Vic, SA, Qld, XXXH 4
melitensis thistle, tocalote, Maltese WA
centaury, Maltese cockspur,
saucy jack, Malta thistle
155. Centaurium common centaury, European Vic, WA HH 4 Tas Y
erythraea centaury, century, lesser
centaury
156. Centaurium spiked centaury, centaury Vic, WA XX
spicatum
157. Centaurium branched centaury, centaury, Vic H 4
tenuiflorum slender centaury
158. Centranthus ruber red valerian, spur valerian, Tas, WA XX 4 NSW, Vic, SA Y
Jupiter's beard
159. Cerastium mouse ear chickweed, sticky Vic, NSW,WA HXX 4
glomeratum chickweed, sticky mouse ear
chickweed, clustered mouse ear
160. Cestrum yellow cestrum, orange cestrum, Vic X 3 Vic Y
aurantiacum orange jessamine, orange
flowering jessamine
161. Cestrum elegans red cestrum, jessamine, cestrum Vic, Sleeper HS 2 NT, NSW Y
162. Cestrum lady of the night, night flowering Vic, NSW XX 2 Qld, NSW, Vic, Y
nocturnum cestrum, queen of the night, WA
dama de noche, iki he po, kara
82 WWF-Australia
(1)
Finder) references)
163. Cestrum parqui green cestrum, willow jasmine, NSW, Qld, HXS 5 NSW, Vic, WA Vic Y
Chilean cestrum, green poison Sleeper
berry, willow leaved jessamine,
Chilean flowering jassamine,
Chilean jessamine
164. Chasmanthe African cornflag, chasmanthe Vic, SA, Tas, HHXHS 4 Vic Y
floribunda WA, Sleeper
165. Chenopodium white goosefoot, common Vic, NT, WA XXX 5
album lambsquarters, fat hen, lamb's
quarters, pigweed, baconweed,
chou grass, fathen, forst bite,
mealweed, pitseed goosefoot,
white goosefoot, white pigweed,
wild spinach, netseed
lambsquarters, farinello comune
166. Chenopodium nettleleaf goosefoot, green fat Vic, WA XX 4
murale hen, sowbane, nettle leaved fat
hen, sowbane, swinebane, wall
goosefoot, chuana soap,
goosefoot, lamb's quarters,
round leaved fat hen, wheat
bush, green goosefoot,
rauniosavikka
167. Chlorophytum bracket plant, hen and chicks, NSW, Qld XX 3 Qld, NSW Y
comosum ribbon plant, spider ivy, spider
plant, walking anthericum, spider
plant, ribbon plant, airplane plant
168. Chrysanthemoides bone seed Vic, SA, NSW, HHHXXHS 5 W Vic, Qld, SA, WA, Vic, NSW, Tas, Y
monilifera ssp. Qld, Tas, WA, NSW, Tas SA, Qld
monilifera Sleeper
169. Chrysanthemoides bitou bush Vic, SA, NSW, HXHXXS 5 W Vic, Qld, SA, WA, Vic, NSW, Tas, Y
monilifera ssp. Qld, Tas, NSW, Tas SA, Qld
rotundata Sleeper
170. Cicendia filiformis slender cicendia, yellow Vic, WA XX 4
gentianella, yellow centaury
171. Cichorium intybus chickory, coffee weed, bachelors Vic, SA, NSW, XXXXX 3 Qld, NSW, Tas Y
buttons, blue daisy, blue Tas, WA
dandelion, blue sailors, succory,
bunk, witchgrass
172. Cinnamomum camphor tree, camphor laurel NSW, Qld, HXXS 5 NSW, WA, Qld Qld, NSW WA Y
camphora WA, Sleeper
173. Citrullus bitter paddy melon, colocynth, Vic, NT, WA XHX 3
colocynthis bitter apple, wild watermelon,
Indian colocynth, bitter melon,
cara, ekir, gare damer,
gartoomba, ground gourd,
handal, indravarooni, tagalate,
tumba, turo, unun, wild water
melon
174. Citrus limon lemon, bush lemon NSW XX 2 NSW Y
175. Clematis vitalba traveller's joy, old man’s beard, Vic, Tas, XXS 4 Tas, NSW Y
evergreen clematis Sleeper
176. Cleome aculeata prickly spiderflower Qld(3), NT(3) XX 3
177. Clitoria ternatea butterfly pea, blue pea, Asian WA H 4 Qld Y
pigeonwings, buikike, paokeke,
capa de la reina, putitainubia,
pepe, nawa
178. Coccinia grandis ivy gourd, scarlet fruited gourd, NT X WA WA
arakis, ekadala, mughad, roh,
scarlet gourd, tindola, kundree,
pepasan, pepino cimarrón, little
gourd
179. Coffea arabica coffee, dwarf coffee, Arabian NSW, Qld XXS 4 NSW, Qld, NT, Y
coffee, kove, kofe, koahpi Sleeper
180. Coffea spp. coffee NSW, Qld, XXS
Sleeper
181. Colocasia Wild taro Qld X 4 Qld, NSW, Vic, Y
esculenta SA,
182. Conium poison hemlock, wild carrot, wild Vic, SA, Tas, HXXH 5 Vic, NSW, WA Vic
maculatum parsnip, hemlock, bunk, ACT
California fern, poison parsley,
poison root, snake weed,
spotted hemlock, spotted
parsley, winter fern, wode
whistle.
183. Convolvulus field bindweed, bindweed, Vic, SA, Qld, XXXX 5 Vic, SA, WA Vic, WA, SA
arvensis creeping Jenny, morning glory, WA
perennial morningglory, small
bindweed, cornbine, wild
morning glory, small flowered
morning glory, European
bindweed, corn bind, bear bind,
green vine, akkerwinde, klimop
184. Conyza horseweed fleabane, Canadian Vic, NSW, WA XXX
canadensis horseweed, Canada fleabane,
butterweed, blood stanch, colt’s
tail, fireweed, hogweed,
horseweed, mare’s tail, pride
weed
185. Coprosma repens mirror bush, taupata, creeping Vic, NSW, Tas, HHXS 5 WA Y
mirrorplant, looking glass bush, Sleeper
New Zealand mirror bush, tree
bedstraw, mirror plant
186. Coprosma robusta karamu Vic, Tas HH 4
WWF-Australia 83
(1)
Finder) references)
187. Cordyline australis New Zealand cabbage tree, Vic X 2 NSW, NT, Vic, Y
cabbage tree, dracaena palm, ti WA
kouka
188. Coreopsis tickseed, garden coreopsis, NSW, Qld, HXS 3 Tas Y
lanceolata lanceleaf tickseed, tickseed Sleeper
coreopsis
189. Cornus capitata Himalayan strawberry tree, Vic X 2 NSW, Vic Y
evergreen dogwood, Bentham's
cornel
190. Cortaderia jubata Andean pampas grass, Vic, Tas HH 5 NSW, Tas, SA, Tas, SA
jubatagrass, purple pampas WA
grass, pampas grass, pink
pampas grass, selloa pampas
grass, Andes grass
191. Cortaderia pampas grass, common pampas Vic, SA, NSW, HXXXXHSH 5 NSW, Tas, WA Tas
selloana grass, silver pampas grass, Qld, Tas, WA,
Uruguayan pampas grass, ACT, Sleeper
silvergrass
192. Cortaderia spp. pampas grass Vic, SA, NSW, XXXXXXSX NSW, Tas, WA Tas
Qld, Tas, WA,
ACT, Sleeper
193. Cosmos bipinnatus cosmos, garden cosmos, Vic, Qld XX 3
common cosmos
194. Cotoneaster green cotoneaster, cotoneaster, Vic, ACT HH 2
divaricatus spreading cotoneaster
195. Cotoneaster cotoneasters, Franchet Tas, ACT HH 5 ACT, WA Vic Y
franchetii cotoneaster, orange
cotoneaster, dwergmispel,
silverleaf cotoneaster, rockspray
cotoneaster
196. Cotoneaster bright bead cotoneaster, Vic, NSW, Tas, HXHXH 5 NSW, ACT, WA NSW Y
glaucophyllus cotoneaster WA, ACT
197. Cotoneaster fishbone cotoneaster, prostrate Vic, Tas, ACT, XHSH 3 NSW, Vic, WA Y
horizontalis cotoneaster, cotoneaster, Sleeper
rockspray cotoneaster
198. Cotoneaster milkflower cotoneaster, late Tas, ACT HH 3 Y
lacteus cotoneaster
199. Cotoneaster smallleaf cotoneaster ACT H 2 Y
microphyllus
200. Cotoneaster show berry bushes, cotoneaster, Vic, Tas, ACT HHH 5 NSW, ACT, WA NSW
pannosus silwerdwergmispel, silver leaf
cotoneaster
201. Cotoneaster cotoneaster ACT H 2
rotundifolius
202. Cotoneaster Himalayan Cotoneaster, Simons' Vic, SA, ACT XXH 2 ACT, WA
simonsii cotoneaster, khasia berry
203. Cotoneaster spp. cotoneaster, firethorn Vic, SA, NSW, XXXXXH
Tas, WA, ACT
204. Cotula water buttons, common Vic, WA HX 3 NSW, Qld, Vic, Y
coronopifolia brassbuttons, bachelor's button, SA
brass buttons, buttonweed
205. Cotyledon pig's ears, cotyledon, Vic, WA HX 3 NSW Y
orbiculata pyrmehilehti
206. Crassula multicava shade crassula, prostrate Vic, Sleeper XS 3
ssp. multicava cotoneaster, crassula
207. Crataegus English hawthorn, oneseed Vic, SA, Tas, HHXH 5 SA, Vic, WA SA Vic, WA Y
monogyna hawthorn, single seeded ACT
hawthorn, whitethorn, may,
quickthorn
208. Crataegus sinaica hawthorn, may, azzarola, SA H 2 SA, WA SA Vic Y
azarola thorn, Neapolitan medlar
209. Crocosmia X montbretia, crocosmia, garden Vic, NSW, Qld, HHXXXS 5 NSW, WA NSW Vic, NSW Y
(3)
crocosmiiflora montbretia Tas , WA,
Sleeper
210. Crotalaria canary bird bush, Queensland Qld, WA XX 2
agatiflora birdflower
211. Cryptostegia rubbervine, Palay rubbervine, Qld, NT, WA XHH 2 W Qld, NT, WA, SA SA, Qld, NT, Y
grandiflora India rubber vine, liane de WA
gatope
212. Cryptostegia rubbervine NT, WA HX 1 WA, NT, Qld Qld, NT, WA
madagascariensis
var.
madagascariensis
213. Cucumis melo smellmelon, dudaim melon, WA X 3
cantaloupe, rock melon, melon,
uhorka Ïltá
214. Cucumis paddy melon, prickly paddy Vic, SA, Qld, XXXX 3
myriocarpus melon, bitter apple, gooseberry WA
cucumber, small thorny
cucumber, small wild cucumber,
small wild melon, striped wild
cucumber, wild cucumber,
gooseberry gourd, bitterappel,
gifappel, isendelenja,
mokapana, monyaku, thlare sa
mpja, wilde komkommer
215. Cupressus Mexican cypress, Arizona Vic, Sleeper XS NSW Y
lusitanica cypress, cedar of Goa
216. Cupressus Monterey cypress Vic, Tas, HXS 2 Vic Y
macrocarpa Sleeper
217. Cupressus Italian cypress, cipresso Vic X Y
sempervirens
84 WWF-Australia
(1)
Finder) references)
218. Cymbalaria Kenilworth ivy, coliseum ivy, ivy WA X 4
muralis leaf toadflax, mother of a
thousand, pennywort
219. Cynara artichoke thistle, cardoon, wild Vic, SA, Tas HXX 3 Vic, SA, WA, Tas Vic, Tas, WA, NSW, SA, Y
cardunculus artichoke, Scotch thistle SA Tas(4), Vic(4)
220. Cynodon dactylon Bermuda grass, coarse kweek, Vic, NSW, Qld, HHXHH
common couch, common NT, WA
quickgrass, couch grass, devil's
grass, dog's tooth, doob grass,
dub grass, finegrass,
fingergrass, fingers, Florida
grass, Indian couch, quick grass,
running grass, Scotch grass,
star grass, twitch grass, white
quick grass, wire grass, Indian
doab
221. Cyperus brevifolius mullum bimby couch, globe WA H 4
kyllinga
(3)
222. Cyperus unbrella plant, umbrella sedge, Qld, WA, NT XXX 4 Qld, Vic, SA, Y
involucratus haspan NSW
223. Cyperus rotundus purple nutsedge, nutgrass, NSW, Qld, WA XXH 5 SA, WA SA
nutsedge, cocograss, red
nutsedge, water grass, red
grass, Yaa haeo muu
224. Cytisus multiflorus white Spanish broom, Spanish Vic H 4 A WA Y
broom
225. Cytisus scoparius Scotch broom, English broom, Vic, SA, NSW, HXXXS NSW, Vic, SA, Tas, SA, Vic WA, NSW, Vic Y
broom, Spanish broom, Tas, Sleeper Tas, WA, ACT
jänönvihmaMonarch
BroomAndreanus Broom
226. Cytisus spp. ACT(3) X WA, ACT
227. Dactylis glomerata orchardgrass, cock’s foot, Vic, Tas HX 4 NSW, Qld Y
catsgrass, koiranheinä
228. Dalbergia sissoo Indian dalbergia, sissoo, NT X 4 NT, WA NT NT(4) Y
shisham, skuva, sissu, tali
229. Datura stramonium jimsonweed, Jamestown weed, Vic, WA XX 5 Vic, NT, WA, Tas Vic, Tas, NT,
thornapple, common thorn WA
apple, thornapple, mad apple,
stinkwort, Embaleki, astanargit,
atafaris, boruti, boruto,
chayotillo, chemogong, colenso
weed, common stinkapple,
devil's apple, duling'weki, ebune,
estramonio, frizillo, hoja de tapa,
hulluruoho, jimson weed, msiafu,
olieboom, pula, sikran, silulu,
somena, stramonium, tapa,
tapate, taturah, tlapa, tlaquoal,
toloache, vue luate loco,
zambumba
230. Daucus carota Queen Anne's lace, wild carrot Vic, WA XX 2 SA, WA
231. Delairea odorata cape ivy, German ivy, Italian ivy,Vic, SA, NSW, HHXXXS 5 NSW, WA NSW Y
African ivy, climbing groundsel Tas, WA,
Sleeper
232. Delonix regia flame tree, flamboyant, arbol del NT, Sleeper HS 4 NSW, NT, Qld, Y
fuego, atbot, atbot det fuegu, WA
nangiosákura, nangyo,
pilampwoia weitahta,
sakuranirow, sekoula, ohai',
flame of the forest, flame tree,
peacock flower, poinciana, royal
poinciana
233. Dianthus feathered pink, wild pink, cottage Tas X 2 Y
plumarius pink, pink
234. Dietes bicolor fortnight lily, wild yellow iris, NSW X Widely Y
African iris, peacock flower available
235. Digitalis purpurea foxglove, purple foxglove, Vic, Tas, XXS 4 Tas, Vic, NSW Y
common foxglove Sleeper
236. Dimorphotheca Cape marigold, rain daisy, Vic, NSW, Tas XXH 2 Y
pluvialis valkosääkukka, weather prophet
237. Diplotaxis muralis stinking wallrocket, stinking Vic, WA XX 3
wallrocket, stinkweed,
wallmustard, sandrocket, annual
wall rocket, stinking diplotaxis,
pikkuhieTasinappi
238. Diplotaxis slimleaf wallrocket, sand rocket, Vic, SA XX 3 SA, Vic, WA SA, Vic NSW, Tas Y
tenuifolia sand mustard, Lincoln weed,
large sandrocket, perennial
rocket, perennial wallrocket, wall
rocket, flor amarilla
239. Dipogon lignosus mila a minute, dipogon, okie Vic, NSW, Qld, HXXXX 5
bean, Australian pea Tas, WA
240. Dipsacus fullonum wild teasel, common teasel, card Vic, Tas XX 4 Vic, WA Vic NSW Y
teasel, venus cup, card thistle,
gypsy combs, Fuller's teasel,
pikarikarttaohdake
241. Dittrichia viscosa false yellowhead, aromatic inula WA X 4 A, EE
242. Ecballium squirting cucumber, spitting Tas X 3
elaterium cucumber, springgurka
243. Echium fastuosum pride of Madeira, beeshead Tas X 2 NSW, WA NSW, Vic, Tas, Y
WA
WWF-Australia 85
(1)
Finder) references)
244. Echium Paterson's curse, salvation Vic, SA, NSW, HXXXXXXH 5 NSW, Vic, SA, NT, NT, WA, SA,
plantagineum Jane, blue weed, Lady Campbell Qld, Tas, NT, WA, Tas Vic
weed, purple bugloss, purple WA, ACT
echium, purple viper's bugloss,
Riverina bluebell, viper's
bugloss, ratamoneidonkieli
245. Echium vulgare blueweed, viper’s bugloss, blue Vic, ACT XH 4 NSW, Vic, Tas, Tas, Vic
echium, blue thistle, blue devil, WA
common vipersbugloss
246. Eichhornia water hyacinth, floating water Vic, NSW, Qld, XXXHHH 5 NSW, Vic, Qld, Vic, NSW, Qld,
crassipes hyacinth, pickerelweed, Nile lily, NT, WA, ACT SA, NT, WA, Tas, Tas, NT, WA,
water orchid, Phak top chawaa, ACT SA
waterhiasint, jacinto de agua,
lirio acuatico, jacinthe d'eau,
bung el ralm,
mbekambekairanga,
ndambendambe ni nga, jal
khumbe, bekabekairaga,
dabedabe ne ga, jal khumbe, riri
vai
247. Elodea canadensis Canadian pondweed, American Vic, WA HX 5 SA, NT, WA, Tas Tas, NT, WA
elodea, oxygen weed,
waterweed, elodea, vesirutto,
common waterweed
248. Epilobium hirsutum hairy willow herb, willow herb, Vic X 3
hairy willowweed, great
willowherb, karvahorsma,
codlins and cream
249. Equisetum field horsetail, scouring rush, NSW, ACT XX 4 EA1 NSW, SA, WA, Vic, NSW, Tas,
arvense western horsetail, horsetail, Qld, Tas, Vic, ACT WA, SA, Qld
foxtail, rush, horsetail fern,
meadow pine, pine grass,
foxtailrush, bottle brush,
horsepipes, snake grass, mare’s
tail, shave grass, coda cavallina
250. Equisetum scouringrush, greater horsetail, Tas, WA, HHS 2 EA1 Vic, NSW, Tas, Vic, NSW, Tas, Tas(4) Y
hyemale rough horsetail, kangaskorte, Sleeper WA, SA, Qld WA, SA, Qld
horsetail, common horsetail
251. Equisetum spp. horsetails, scouring rush, Vic, Sleeper XS A Vic, NSW, Tas, Vic, NSW, Tas,
common horsetail WA, SA, Qld WA, SA, Qld
252. Eragrostis stinking eragrostis, stink love Vic, NT, WA XHX 4
cilianensis grass, stink eragrostis,
stinkgrass, tanakkaröllinurmikka,
candy grass, lovegrass,
spreading love grass
253. Eragrostis curvula African lovegrass, Boer Vic, WA, ACT, HHSH 5 NSW, Vic, SA, Vic, Tas, SA
lovegrass, weeping lovegrass, Sleeper Tas, ACT, WA
Ermelo love grass, weeping
grass, wire grass
254. Erica arborea tree heath, briar root Vic, SA, Tas, HHXS 2 Y
Sleeper
255. Erica baccans berry flower heath, berry heath Vic, Sleeper HS 4 Y
256. Erica lusitanica Spanish heath, Portuguese Vic, SA, NSW, HHXX 5 WA, Tas Tas
heath, heath Tas
257. Erica melanthera Vic, Sleeper XS NSW Y
258. Erica angled heath, erica Vic, Sleeper HS 2
quadrangularis
259. Eriobotrya loquat, Japanese plum, NSW, Qld, XXS 2 NSW, Vic, Qld Y
japonica Japanese medlar Sleeper
260. Erodium redstem filaree, alfilaree, Vic, Tas, WA HXH 4
cicutarium alfidalaria, pin clover, pin grass,
storksbill, heronsbill, filaree,
peltokurjennokka, musk heron's
bill, pin weed
261. Erythrina crista- cockspur coral tree, crybabytree, NSW, Sleeper XS 3 NSW, WA NSW NSW, NT, WA Y
galli Indian coral tree, coral tree
262. Erythrina X sykesii coral tree NSW X 2
263. Eschscholzia California poppy, tuliunikko Qld, WA, ACT XXX 3 NSW, Tas Y
californica
264. Eucalyptus Southern blue gum, Eurabbie, ACT X Vic, NSW, WA Y
bicostata Blue gum, Victorian blue gum
265. Eucalyptus southern mahogany, blue gum, Vic, WA HX Vic, NSW, NT, Y
botryoides bangalay Tas, WA
266. Eucalyptus Murray red gum, red gum, river NT H Widely Y
camaldulensis red gum, rostrata gum, available
rooibloekom
267. Eucalyptus lemonscented gum, lemon gum, NSW, WA XH Widely Y
citriodora citron scented gum available
268. Eucalyptus sugar gum, suikerbloekom Vic, SA, WA HXH Vic, NSW, WA, Y
cladocalyx SA
269. Eucalyptus Tasmanian blue gum, bluegum SA, ACT XX NSW, Tas, WA, Y
globulus eucalyptus, blue gum, common Vic
eucalyptus
270. Eucalyptus tuart, tuart gum Vic X WA, Vic, SA Y
gomphocephala
271. Eucalyptus bush yate, Lehmann's gum, Vic X Vic, WA Y
lehmannii spider gum, spinnekopbloekom,
mallee yate
272. Eucalyptus yellow gum, white ironbark Vic X Vic, WA Y
leucoxylon
273. Eucalyptus spotted gum, spotted iron gum Vic, WA HH Widely Y
maculata available
86 WWF-Australia
(1)
Finder) references)
274. Euonymus spp. spindle tree, burning bush, Vic X Y
strawberry bush, wahoo,
euonymus
275. Euphorbia sun spurge, madwoman's milk, WA X 3
helioscopia wart spurge, wart weed, wart
grass, cats milk, sun euphorbia,
umbrella milkweed,
viisisädetyräkki
276. Euphorbia hirta garden spurge, pillpod spurge, NT, WA XH 4
asthma weed, Nam nom
raatchasee, asthma plant, hairy
spurge, Queensland asthma
weed, red euphorbia, red
milkweed, snakeweed
277. Euphorbia lathyrus caper spurge Vic, Tas, ACT HXX 4 NSW Y
278. Euphorbia peplus petty spurge, milkweed, radium Vic, NSW, WA XXH 4
plant, cancer weed, stinging
milkweed
279. Euphorbia tirucalli Indiantree spurge, naked lady, Qld X 1
pencil tree, milkbush, Mnyala
280. Euryops euryops, geelmagriet Vic, SA HX 4
abrotanifolius
281. Ferraria crispa black flag, spinnekopblom Vic, WA XX Vic, NSW Y
282. Festuca tall fescue, alata fescue, reed Vic H 4
arundinacea fescue, coarse fescue, New
Zealand tall fescue,
283. Ficus carica common ficus, fig tree, edible SA, WA XH 4 NT, NSW Y
fig, common fig, aitoviikuna
284. Ficus pumila climbing fig, creeping rubber NSW X 2 NSW, NT, Qld, Y
plant, fig, creeping fig WA
285. Foeniculum fennel, aniseed, dill, anise, Vic, SA, Qld, HXXXXX 5 Vic, Tas, WA Tas, Vic NSW, Vic Y
vulgare sweet anise, sweet fennel, Tas, WA, ACT
hinojo, venkoli, wild fennel
286. Fraxinus desert ash, narrow leaved ash Vic, ACT(3) XX Vic, NSW Y
angustifolia
287. Fraxinus ornus flowering ash, manna ash, Vic X NSW, Vic Y
manna
288. Freesia alba x freesia, common freesia, wild Vic, SA, NSW, XHXXXH 5
leichtlinii freesia Qld, Tas, WA
289. Fuchsia fuchsia, hardy fuchsia, lady's Vic, SA, Tas, XXXXS 3 NSW, Vic Y
magellanica eardrops, earring flower, WA, Sleeper
kulapepeiao
290. Furcraea foetida Mauritius hemp WA X 3
291. Galenia coastal galenia, galenia Vic, WA XX NSW, WA
pubescens
292. Galinsoga galinsoga, smallflower NSW X 5
parviflora galinsoga, potato weed, gallant
soldier, yellow weed, joey
hooker, tarhasaurikki, small
flowered quickweed, galinsoga
weed, chick weed, potato weed,
kew weed
293. Galium aparine cleavers, goosegrass, scratch Vic, Tas HX 3 WA WA
grass, grip grass, catchweed
bedstraw, white hedge,
bedstraw, stickywilly, velcro
plant, robin run over the hedge,
attaccamano, gallio, pega pega
294. Gazania linearis treasureflower, gazania Vic X 3 Y
295. Gazania x linearis SA X
296. Gazania rigens coastal gazania, treasure flower, SA, NSW, Tas, XXHS 3 Vic, Qld Y
gazania Sleeper
297. Gazania spp. Vic X Y
298. Genista canarybroom, broom WA X 2
canariensis
299. Genista linifolia Mediterranean broom, flax Vic, SA, Tas, HHXS 5 Vic, ACT, WA Vic
leaved broom, flax broom, Sleeper
flaxleaf broom, Dyers' broom,
greenwold
300. Genista white weeping broom SA X Vic, NSW, WA Y
monosperma
301. Genista French broom, soft broom, Vic, SA, NSW, HHXXSH 5 Vic, Tas, SA, Tas, SA, Vic,
monspessulana canary broom, Montpellier Tas, ACT, NSW, WA WA
broom, Madiera broom, cape Sleeper
broom, broom, retamo liso
302. Genista leafybroom Tas, Sleeper S 4
stenopetala
303. Geranium molle Woodland geranium, dovefoot Vic, SA XX 1
geranium, pehmytkurjenpolvi,
soft cranesbill, cranesbill
304. Gladiolus angustus long tubed painted lady WA X 4
305. Gladiolus waterfall gladiolus WA X 1 Tas Y
cardinalis
306. Gladiolus wild gladiolus, sandveldlelie WA H 5
caryophyllaceus
307. Gladiolus byzantine gladiolus, cornflag, Vic, Tas XX Tas, Vic, NSW, Y
communis etelänmiekkalilja SA
308. Gladiolus spp. gladiolus, peacock orchid, sword Vic X Tas, Vic Y
lily
309. Gladiolus tristis evening flower gladiolus, ever Vic, WA HX 5 NSW, SA, Tas, Y
flowering gladiolus, gladiolus, Vic
marsh Afrikaner
WWF-Australia 87
(1)
Finder) references)
310. Gladiolus wild gladiolus, gladiolus Vic, SA, WA HHH 5 Vic Y
undulatus
311. Glaucium flavum horned poppy, yellow horned Vic X 4
poppy, yellow hornpoppy, sea
poppy, keltaneidonunikko
312. Gloriosa superba gloriosa lily, glory lily, climbing NSW, Qld, HXS 5 NSW, WA Qld Y
lily, Rhodesian flame lily, flame Sleeper
lily
313. Glyceria maxima tall mannagrass, reed Vic, Tas, WA HXH 5
sweetgrass, English water
grass, great mannagrass,
variegated water grass,
314. Gmelina arborea white teak, jati putih, candahar, NT X 2 Y
white teak, yemane,
315. Gomphocarpus swan plant, narrow leaf cotton Vic, NSW, Qld, XXXHX 4 WA WA NSW Y
fruticosus bush, balloon cotton, cape Tas, WA
cotton, duck bush, milkweed,
narrow leaved cotton bush, wild
cotton
316. Grevillea robusta Australian silky oak, silky oak NSW X Y
317. Grevillea rosemary grevillea Vic, SA, Tas(3), HXXX Vic, Tas, NSW, Y
rosmarinifolia ACT WA
318. Gynandriris thread Iris Vic, SA, WA HXH Vic Y
setifolia
319. Hakea laurina pincushion hakea Vic, SA HX Widely Y
available
320. Hakea salicifoliawillow leaf hakea, willowleaved Vic H Widely Y
hakea, willow hakea available
321. Hakea sericea silky hakea, syerige hakea, silky Vic, SA HX NSW, Tas, Vic Y
wattle, needlebush, prickly
hakea, needle hakea
322. Hakea suaveolens sweet hakea, fork leaved hakea, Vic H Vic, NSW, Tas, Y
scented hakea SA
323. Harungana botonongolo, djene, harungana, Qld, Sleeper XS 2 Qld Qld
madagascariensis mtunu, mutungulu
324. Hebe elliptica hebe Tas X 2
325. Hedera helix English ivy, ivy, needlepoint ivy, Vic, SA, NSW, HXXXSH 5 NSW, WA Y
ripple ivy, common ivy, murgrna Tas, ACT,
Sleeper
326. Hedychium kahili ginger, yellow ginger lily, NSW X 2 Qld, NSW, SA, Y
gardnerianum cevuga dromodromo, sinter Vic, NT, WA
weitahta, ginger lily
327. Helianthus Jerusalem artichoke, girasole, Vic X 3 Qld, NSW, Vic Y
tuberosus earth apple, maa artisokka
328. Heliophila pusilla heliophila WA H 3
329. Heliotropium blue heliotrope, wild verbena, SA, Qld XX 5 NSW, WA
amplexicaule clasping heliotrope, purpletop,
turnsole, wild heliotrope,
verveine sauvage
330. Heracleum giant hogweed, cartwheel flower, Tas, Sleeper XS 2 NSW Y
mantegazzianum wild parsnip, wild rhubarb,
kaukasianjättiputki
331. Hesperantha hesperantha WA H 5
falcata
332. Hexaglottis yellow hexaglottis Vic, WA HH 4
lewisiae
333. Hibiscus swamp hibiscus WA H
diversifolius
334. Hibiscus sabdariffa rosella, red sorrel, Jamaica NT, WA HH 3 Y
sorrel, karkadè
335. Hieracium orange hawkweed, fox and NSW (3), XS A, EA2 Vic, NSW, Tas, Vic, NSW, Tas Qld, Tas(4) Y
aurantiacum cubs, Devil's paintbrush Sleeper WA
336. Holcus lanatus Yorkshire fog, velvetgrass, tufted Vic, NSW, Tas, HXXH 4
softgrass, meadow softgrass, WA
common velvetgrass,
karvamesiheinä, mesquite,
bambagione pubescente,
mesquite grass
337. Homeria flaccida one leaf cape tulip, cape tulip Vic, SA, NSW, HHXH NSW, Vic, SA, Vic, Tas, WA,
WA WA, Tas SA
338. Homeria miniata two leaf cape tulip, poison bulb, Vic, SA, WA HHH 5 NSW, Vic, SA, Vic, Tas, WA,
red tulip, red tulp, cape tulip, WA, Tas SA
rootulup
339. Homeria yellow flowered cape tulip, cape Vic, SA, WA XXX 5 NSW, Tas Tas
ochroleuca tulip, white cape tulip
340. Humulus lupulus hops, common hop, luppolo, wild Vic H 2 Qld, NSW, Tas Y
hop, hop bine
341. Hura crepitans sand box tree, ajuapar, monkey NT(3) X 2
pistol, javillo
342. Hydrocotyle water pennywort, hydrocotyle, WA, Sleeper HS 4 WA, SA WA, SA
ranunculoides floating marshpennywort
(3)
343. Hygrophila costata Temple Weed NSW X 5 WA, Qld Qld
344. Hymenolobus oval purse WA H 4
procumbens
345. Hypericum tutsan, sweet amber Vic, WA HX 5 Vic, WA Vic, WA NSW Y
androsaemum
346. Hypericum rose of Sharon, large flowered Vic H 4 NSW Y
calycinum St John’s wort, Aaron's beard,
creeping St John's wort
347. Hypericum elodes marsh St John's wort, bog St NSW X 3 NSW Y
John's wort, marsh hypericum
(3)
348. Hypericum St. Johnswort NSW X
kouytchense
88 WWF-Australia
(1)
Finder) references)
349. Hypericum common St. John’s wort, Vic, SA, WA, HXXH 5 WA, Vic, Tas, Vic, Tas, WA Qld, Tas(4), Y
perforatum goatweed, perforate St. John's ACT NSW Vic(4)
Wort, klamathweed, St. John's
wort, iperico, tipton weed,
gammock, goatsbeard,
goatweed, herb john, klamath
weed, penny john, rosin rose, St.
John's grass, tipton weed, touch
and heal
350. Ilex aquifolium English holly, holly, variegated Vic, SA, NSW, HXXXS 5 Qld, NSW Y
holly Tas, Sleeper
351. Impatiens balsam, busy lizzy, buzzy lizzy NSW, Qld, XXS 3 Qld Y
walleriana Sleeper
352. Ipheion uniflorum spring star flower, springstar Vic X 2 Vic, Tas, NSW Y
353. Ipomoea alba moonflower, tropical white NSW, Sleeper XS 4 NSW, WA Y
morning glory, white morning
glory, moonvine
354. Ipomoea cairica Cairo morningglory, coast Vic, NSW, Qld, XHXX 5 WA Y
morning glory, Messina creeper, WA
mile a minute, mile a minute
vine, lunsengansenga
355. Ipomoea indica blue morning glory, purple Vic, NSW, Qld, HHXX 5 NSW, WA NSW Y
morning glory, oceanblue WA
morning glory, fue moa,
purperwinde, morning glory
356. Ipomoea purpurea tall morningglory, common NSW, Qld XX 5 Y
moringglory, morning glory,
purperwinde, wilec purpurowy
357. Ipomoea quamoclit cypressvine morningglory, NT, WA, HHS 3 Y
cypressvine, morning glory, star Sleeper
of Bethlehem, cardinal climber,
Cupid's flower
358. Iris germanica German iris, fleur de lis, bearded Vic X 3 Vic, NSW, SA Y
iris, purple flag,
saksankurjenmiekka, ireos
359. Iris pseudacorus yellow flag, yellow water iris, iris, Vic, Sleeper HS 5 NSW, Vic, SA, Y
paleyellow iris, flag iris Tas
360. Iris spuria seashore iris, iris, butterfly iris, Vic X SA Y
blue iris
361. Iris x germanica German iris, fleur de lis, bearded Tas X 3
iris, purple flag,
saksankurjenmiekka, ireos, orris
root
362. Ixia flexuosa koringblommetjie, ixia Vic H 2 VIC, TAS Y
363. Ixia maculata spotted African cornlily, Vic, WA XX 3 SA Y
geelkalossie, African cornlily,
yellow ixia
364. Ixia polystachya African corn lily, corn lily, Vic, WA XX 2 Vic, Tas Y
variable ixia, koringblommetjie
365. Ixia viridiflora green ixia Vic X 1 Vic, NSW Y
366. Jacaranda jacaranda tree, black poui, NSW, Qld XX 3 Widely Y
mimosifolia jacaranda, blue Brazilian, available
Brazilian rosewood, fern tree
367. Juncus effusus soft rush, Japanese mat rush, Vic H 5 Vic, NSW Y
common rush, bog rush
368. Kennedia dusky coral pea, coral pea Vic, Tas XX NSW, Tas, Vic, Y
rubicunda WA, SA
369. Kniphofia uvaria red hot poker, torch lily Vic, SA, XXS 2 Qld, Vic, NSW, Y
Sleeper WA
370. Lachenalia aloides lachenalia, Cape cowslip Vic, WA, XXS 3 NSW, SA, Vic Y
Sleeper
371. Lachenalia reflexa Cape cowslip, lachenalia WA, Sleeper HS 3 A, EE Vic Y
372. Lactuca serriola prickly lettuce, wild lettuce, Vic, NT, WA XXH 3
China lettuce, compass plant,
milk thistle, horse thistle, wild
opium
373. Lagurus ovatus hare's tail grass, jänönhäntä, Vic, Tas, WA HXH 4
bunnie's tails, hare's foot, rabbit
tail grass
374. Lantana camara lantana, yellow sage, red NSW, Qld, NT, HXHH 5 W NSW, NT, SA, SA,Tas, NT, NT(4), WA, Vic Y
flowered sage, tick berry, wild WA WA, Tas, Qld Qld
sage, prickly lantana, white
sage, chiPoniwe, mikinolia hihiu,
curse of India, landana, lanitana,
rantana, rahndana, tukasuweth,
te kaibuaka, talatala, kauboica,
latora moa, tatara moa, ros
fonacni, latana, lakana, talatala,
talatala talmoa, te kaibuaja,
taramoa, migiroa, kaumboitha,
mbonambulumakau, mbona ra
mbulumakau, tokalau, waiwai,
taratara hamoa
375. Lantana trailing shrubverbena, creeping NSW, Qld XX 5 NT, WA, Qld Qld, NT NSW, NT(4), Y
montevidensis lantana, purple lantana, small Qld(4), Vic, WA
lantana, trailing lantana,
weeping lantana
376. Lathyrus latifolius perennial sweet pea, everlasting Vic, Tas, WA XXX 3 Vic Y
pea, broad leaved everlasting,
perennial pea
377. Lathyrus tingitanus Tangier pea, Tangier scarlet SA, Tas, WA HXX 2
pea, Tangier peavine, sweet pea
WWF-Australia 89
(1)
Finder) references)
378. Lavandula topped lavender, bush lavender, Vic, SA, WA, HHXS 4 Vic, WA Vic WA, Vic(4), Y
stoechas French lavender, Italian Sleeper NSW
lavender, Spanish lavender
379. Lavatera arborea tree mallow, bushmallow Vic, Tas, WA XXH NSW Y
380. Lavatera cretica small tree mallow, rikkamalvikki, Tas, WA XX
lesser tree mallow, Cretan
hollyhock, Cornish mallow
381. Leonotis leonurus lion's ear, Cape hemp, lion's ear, WA X 3 Qld, NSW, Vic, Y
lion's tail, minaret flower, red Tas
dacha, red dagga, wild dagga,
wild hemp
382. Leonotis lion's tail, lion's ear, Christmas Qld, NT, WA, XHHS 4 NT, WA NT
nepetifolia candlestick, lulyolwasebe Sleeper
383. Lepidium common peppercress, rubble Vic, WA XX 4
africanum peppercress, pepper cress,
pepperweed, birdseed, Cape
pepper cress, peppergrass,
pepperwort, tonguegrass,
African pepperwort
384. Lepidium birdseed, pepper cress, NSW, Qld, WA XXX 4
bonariense pepperweed, Argentine
pepperweed, argentiinankrassi,
Argentine cress
385. Leptospermum Australian myrtle, Victorian tea Vic, WA HH Widely Y
laevigatum tree, coast tea tree, Australian available
teatree
386. Leptospermum lemon scented tea tree, lemon Vic X Widely Y
petersonii tea tree available
387. Leucanthemum shasta daisy, isopäivänkakkara Vic H 3 NSW, Qld, Vic Y
maximum
388. Leucanthemum ox eye daisy, päivänkakkara, Vic, Tas XX 5 Vic, WA Vic
vulgare dog daisy, margriet, marguerite
daisy, moon daisy, white daisy,
yellow daisy, margaréta biela
389. Leucaena American Leucaena NT(3) X 5 Y
leucephala ssp.
glabrata
390. Leucojum summer snowflake, London lily, SA X 2 NSW, Qld, Vic, Y
aestivum snowflake Tas
391. Leycesteria Himalayan honeysuckle, Vic, NSW, Tas, HXXS 5 NSW Y
formosa flowering nutmeg Sleeper
392. Ligustrum lucidum glossy privet, tree privet, large Vic, NSW, Qld, XXXX 5 NSW, WA, ACT, Qld, NSW
leaf privet, broadleaf privet, ACT Qld
Chinese wax leaved privet,
Chinese privet, Nepal privet,
privet, wax leaf privet, white wax
tree
393. Ligustrum sinense Chinese privet, hedge privet, Vic, NSW, Qld, XHXX 5 NSW, WA, ACT, Qld, NSW
small leaved privet, privet, ACT Qld
Chinese liguster
394. Ligustrum spp. privet Vic, SA, NSW, XXXXS
Qld, Sleeper
395. Ligustrum vulgare common privet, wild privet, Vic, SA, HXS 5 Y
golden privet, gewone liguster, Sleeper
European privet, aitalikusteri
396. Lilium formosanum lily, Formosa lily, Taiwan lily Vic, NSW, Qld, XXXS 4 NSW Vic, NSW Y
Sleeper
397. Lilium lancifolium tiger lily Vic X Vic, NSW Y
398. Lilium tigrinum tiger lily Vic X Vic, NSW Y
399. Limonium wavyleaf sealavender, winged WA X 3
sinuatum sea lavender, notch leaf sea
lavender, perennial sea
lavander, statice
400. Linum catharticum fairy flax, purging flax, white flax, Tas X 3
ahopellava
401. Linum trigynum yellow flax, French flax Tas WA XX 4 NSW, Qld, WA Y
402. Lobularia maritima sweet alison, sea alyssum, Tas XX 4
alyssum
403. Lolium perenne English ryegrass, Italian Vic, WA HX ?
ryegrass, perennial rye grass,
raigrás perenne, ryegrass
perenne, ryegrass, loglio
comune, loglio perenne,
englanninraiheinä, lyme grass,
strand wheat
404. Lolium temulentum darnel, poison ryegrass, Vic, WA HH 3
bearded ryegrass, annual
darnel, myrkkyraiheinä, cheat,
darnel ryegrass, dragge,
drawke, drunk, poison darnel,
poison ray grass, sturdy ryle,
Virginian oat
405. Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle, Chinese Vic, NSW, Qld, HXXSH 5 Qld, NSW, NT Y
honeysuckle, honekakala, ACT, Sleeper
honeysuckle
406. Lotus corniculatus bird's foot trefoil, crowtoes, Vic, NSW, HXS
bloomfell, birdfoot deervetch, Sleeper
ground honeysuckle, cat's
clover, broadleaf birdsfoot trefoil
407. Ludwigia palustris waterpurslane, marsh seedbox, Vic, Sleeper XS 3 NSW, Vic Y
marsh ludwigia, false loosestrife,
water purslane, Hampshire
purslane, broad leadfeaf
ludwigia
90 WWF-Australia
(1)
Finder) references)
408. Ludwigia peploides creeping waterprimrose, Qld X 3 NSW, Qld, Vic Y
California waterprimrose, water
primrose, yellow water primrose,
primrose willow
409. Ludwigia ludwigia, Peruvian primrose NSW, Sleeper XS 5 Qld, NSW, SA, WA Qld
peruviana bush, water primrose
410. Lupinus sinilupiini, narrowleaf lupine, WA X 4
angustifolius New Zealand blue lupin, bitter
lupin, blue lupin
411. Lupinus arboreus tree lupin, yellow bush lupine, Vic, Tas, HXS 4 Vic, NSW Y
bush lupin, coastal bush lupine Sleeper
412. Lupinus cosentinii WA blue lupin, sand plain lupin WA H 4
413. Lupinus hybrid Alps X
414. Lupinus luteus lupin, keltalupiini, yellow lupin, WA X 3
lupina Ïltá, European yellow
lupine, yellow sweet lupin
415. Lupinus virginia pepperweed, poor man’s Vic, Sleeper XS 4 Vic, Tas, NSW Y
polyphyllus pepper, pepper grass, Virginian
peppercress, virginiankrassi
416. Lycium barbarum matrimony vine, Duke of Argyll's Vic, Tas XX 3
teaplant, Chinese boxthorn,
morali, murali, box thorn
417. Lycium African boxthorn, boxthorn, Vic, SA, NSW, HHXXXXHX 5 NSW, Vic, Qld, Vic, Qld, Tas,
ferocissimum Cape box thorn Qld, Tas, NT, SA, NT, WA, Tas NT, SA
WA, ACT
418. Lygodium Japanese climbing fern, climbing NSW X 1 Qld, Vic Y
japonicum fern
419. Macfadyena cat’s claw vine, claw vine, NSW, Qld, XXS 5 NSW, WA, Qld Qld, NSW NT Y
unguis-cati catclaw creeper, catclaw Sleeper
trumpet, funnel creeper,
katteklouranker
420. Malus x domestica apple, tarhaomenapuu Vic, ACT XX 3 Vic, Tas, NSW, Y
Qld, WA, NT
421. Mangifera indica mango, am, amba Qld WA XX 3 NSW Y
422. Marrubium vulgare white horehound, common Vic, SA, Qld, HHXXX 5 NSW, Vic, SA, Vic, Tas, WA, Qld, Tas(4) Y
horehound, horehound, Tas, ACT WA, Tas SA
houndsbane, marrube, marvel
423. Marsilea mutica nardoo Tas H NSW, Qld,Vic Y
424. Medicago arborea tree medick, moon trefoil Tas X 2 Y
425. Melaleuca giant honey myrtle, mracelet Vic, SA HX Widely Y
armillaris honey myrtle available
426. Melaleuca totem poles, niaouli cajeput, Vic H Widely Y
decussata crossed leaved honey myrtle available
427. Melaleuca green honey myrtle Vic H Tas, Vic, WA, Y
diosmifolia SA
428. Melaleuca hillock bush, cajuput, red honey Vic H Widely Y
hypericifolia myrtle, tea tree available
429. Melaleuca mauve honey myrtle, showy Vic H Widely Y
nesophila honey myrtle available
(3)
430. Melia azedarach Chinaberry, white cedar, Cape NT X Widely Y
lilac, tulip cedar, syringa, Indian available
bead tree, Persian lilac,
maksering, bessieboom,
Chinaberrytree, margosa tree,
azedarach, bead tree, berry tree,
Cape syringa, China tree,
Chinese umbrella, Indian lilac,
Japanese bead tree, paradise
tree, pride of China, pride of
Persia, red seringea, South
African syringa, Syrian bead
tree, Texas umbrella tree
431. Melianthus tufted honeyflower Vic, SA, WA XXX 3 Vic, WA Vic NSW, Vic(4) Y
comosus
432. Melianthus major honey flower, large honey Vic, X 3 NSW, SA, Tas, Y
flower, Cape honey flower Vic
433. Melissa officinalis melissa balm, lemon balm, balm, Vic, H Qld, NSW, Tas, Y
bee balm, common balm Vic
434. Mentha pulegium peppermint, pennyroyal, Vic, WA HX 4 NSW, Tas, Vic, Y
European pennyroyal, Qld
pennyroyal mint, puolanminttu
435. Mentha spicata spearmint, garden mint, pea Vic, WA, HXS 3 Qld, NSW, Tas, Y
mint, mint, lambmint Sleeper Vic
436. Mentha x piperita peppermint, white peppermint, Vic, WA, HXS 2 NSW, Tas Y
piparminttu, Eau de Cologne Sleeper
mint, black peppermint
437. Mercurialis annua annual mercury, mercury, WA X 4
mercury weed, rikkasinijuuri, dog
mercury, mercorella comune
438. Merremia dissecta white convolvulus creeper, WA X 3
noyau vine
439. Mesembryanthem crystalline iceplant, ice plant, Vic, SA, Tas, HXHH 5 Y
um crystallinum common iceplant WA
440. Mesembryanthem slenderleaf iceplant, angled ice WA X 4
um nodiflorum plant, ice plant
441. Mimosa pigra catclaw mimosa, mimosa, giant NT H 5 W Qld, WA, NT, SA SA, Qld, NT,
sensitive plant, giant sensitive WA
tree, Miyaraap ton, giant
mimosa, thorny sensitive plant
WWF-Australia 91
(1)
Finder) references)
442. Mimosa pudica sensitiveplant, shameplant, Qld, NT HH 3 NT, WA NT, WA Qld Y
touch me not, shame lady,
mimosa, shamebush, action
plant, humble plant, live and die,
shame weed, vergonzosa
443. Mimulus musk monkeyflower, Vic X 4
moschatus muskflower, musk, tahma
apinankukka
444. Monadenia South African orchid weed, SA, WA XHS
bracteata South African orchid Sleeper
445. Moraea bellendenii moraea Vic H 1 Vic Y
446. Moraea fugax peacock lily, uintjie WA X 4
447. Moraea setifolia WA X 4
448. Moraea vegeta moraea Vic, WA HX 4 Vic Y
449. Morus alba white mulberry, mulberry, NSW, Qld XX 3 NSW, Qld, WA, Y
witmoerbei, gewone moerbei, NT
common mulberry
450. Murraya paniculata orange jasmine, murraya, NSW, Qld X 4 Widely Y
Chinese box available
451. Myosotis sylvatica woodland forget me not, Vic, WA, HXS 3 Tas Y
puistolemmikki, wood forget me Sleeper
not
452. Myriophyllum parrot's feather, watermilfoil, Vic, Qld, Tas, HXXHX 5 Tas, WA Tas, WA QLD, Vic Y
aquaticum thread for life, WA, ACT(3)
waterduisendblaar, Brazilian
water milfoil, parrotfeather
453. Myriophyllum common water mifoil, curling Tas(3) X NSW, Vic, Qld Y
crispatum water milfoil
454. Narcissus tazetta polyanthus narcissus, jonquil, SA, WA XX 2 Tas, NSW, Vic Y
cream narcissus, daffodil
455. Nassella white tussock, tussockgrass, Vic(3) X NSW, Vic, SA, WA NSW, Vic, SA
tenuissima finestem tussockgrass,
witpolgras
456. Nassella serrated tussock, nassella Vic, ACT HH 5 W ACT, NSW, Vic, Vic, Qld, Tas,
trichotoma tussock, Yass River tussock, SA, Tas, WA, Qld SA
nassella polgras
457. Nephrolepis sword fern, narrow swordfern, NSW, Qld XX NSW, WA NSW Vic, Qld Y
cordifolia erect sword fern, ladder fern,
tuberous sword fern, fishbone
fern
458. Nerium oleander oleander, te orian, selonsroos, Qld, WA XX 2 NSW Y
Ceylon rose, dog bane, double
oleander, Laurier rose, rose bay,
rose laurel, rose of Ceylon,
South Sea rose, sweet scented
oleander
459. Nicotiana glauca tree tobacco, mustard tree, wild Vic, SA, WA HXX 3
tobacco, wildetabak, Mexican
tobacco, coneton, san Juan tree,
tobacco plant, akkue musa,
cestrum, corneton, free tobacco,
jantwak, le tabaque glauque,
mahasatpurush, masseyss,
palau pazau, satpurush, tabaco
cimarron, tabaco de arbol,
tabakboom, tabaqueira, tobacco
bush, tobacco tree, tombak el
gerey
460. Nothoscordum fragrant false garlic, onion weed, SA, NSW, WA XXX 3
gracile slender false garlic
461. Nymphaea alba water lily, white water lily, Vic H 2 NSW Y
European white lily
462. Nymphaea banana waterlily, yellow water WA X 3 NSW, Qld Y
mexicana lily, Mexican waterlily
463. Nymphaea odorata waterlily, fragrant waterlily, WA X 2 NSW Y
American white waterlily
464. Ochna serrulata ochna, mickey mouse plant, NSW, Qld, HXS 4 NSW, WA NSW Y
bird's eye bush Sleeper
465. Ocimum basilicum sweet basil, common basil, WA X 5 Qld, NSW, Tas Y
lukalanga, la'au sauga, basil,
basilico
466. Oenothera redsepal evening primrose, Vic, WA HX 4 NSW Y
glazioviana reddish evening primrose,
evening primrose
467. Oenothera stricta common evening primrose, Vic, WA XX
Chilean eveningprimrose, sand
primrose, scented
eveningprimrose, fragrant
eveningprimrose
468. Olea europaea olive, European olive Vic, SA, NSW, HHXXHSX 5 SA, WA NSW, NT, Qld, Y
Qld, WA, ACT, Vic, WA
Sleeper
469. Onopordum Scotch thistle, cotton thistle, ACT H 5 NSW, Vic, Tas, Vic, Tas
acanthium heraldic thistle, silver thistle, WA
woolly thistle, Scotch cotton
thistle
470. Opuntia aurantiaca jointed cactus, tiger pear, Vic, NSW HX 5 NSW, Qld, NT, NSW, Qld, NT,
litjieskaktus, jointed prickly pear WA, SA WA, SA
471. Opuntia elatior prickly pear WA, Sleeper XS 4 NSW, Qld, NT, NSW, Qld, NT,
WA, SA WA, SA
92 WWF-Australia
(1)
Finder) references)
472. Opuntia ficus- Indian fig, tuna cactus, sweet Vic X 3 NSW, WA, NT NSW, NT, WA Qld Y
indica prickly pear, mission prickly
pear, prickly pear, spineless
cactus, sweet prickly pear,
Boereturksvy,
grootdoringturksvy, spiny pest
pear
473. Opuntia robusta wheel pear, wheel cactus, Vic, SA HX 4 NSW, Qld, SA, NT, Vic, NSW, Qld,
bartolona, camuesa, nopal WA, Vic NT, WA, SA
camueso, nopal tápon, sweet
purple cactus
474. Opuntia spp. cholla, prickly pear, opuncja Vic, SA, NSW, XXXXXX NSW, SA, WA, NSW, Qld, NT,
Qld, NT, WA Qld, NT WA
475. Opuntia stricta erect prickly pear, common Vic, NSW, Qld, HXXX 5 NSW, Qld, SA, NT, Vic, NSW, Qld,
prickly pear, Araluen pear, WA WA, Vic NT, WA, SA
common pest pear, Gayndah
pear, spiny pest pear, sour
prickly pear, suurturksvy, pest
pear of Australia, Australian pest
pear
476. Opuntia tomentosa woollyjoint pricklypear, prickly NSW, Qld XX 5 NSW, SA, WA, NSW, Qld, NT,
pear, velvet tree pear Qld, NT WA, SA
477. Opuntia vulgaris drooping prickly pear, barbary Vic, WA HX 1 NSW, Qld, SA, NT, Vic, NSW, Qld,
fig, drooping tree pear, smooth WA, Vic NT, WA, SA
tree pear, spiny prickly pear,
spreading prickly pear, tuna
478. Ornithogalum star of Bethlehem, lesser cape WA X 2 Qld, Vic, NSW Y
arabicum lily
479. Ornithogalum African wonder flower, SA, NSW (3), XXX 2 Vic, NSW, Tas Y
thyrsoides chincherinchee, chinkerinchee, WA(3)
common chinkerinchee, star or
Bethlehem, wonder flower, cape
lily, black eyed Susan
480. Ornithogalum sarjatähdikki, star of Bethlehem, Tas, WA XX 3 Qld, NSW, Vic, Y
umbellatum summer snow flake, star flower, Tas
sleepydick, dove's dung, pigeon
dung, bird's milk, cape lily,
common star of Bethlehem,
snowdrops, nap at noon
481. Oryza sativa rice, wild rice, red rice, upland WA X 2 Vic Y
rice, domestic rice, paddy rice,
jing mi
482. Oxalis articulata pink oxalis, sourgrass, wood Vic, SA XX 4 NSW Y
sorrel, jointed woodsorrel,
shamrock oxalis, pink sorrel,
rubra woodsorrel
483. Oxalis bowiei David Bowie wood sorrel, Bowie Vic, WA XX Vic, NSW, Tas Y
wood sorrel
484. Oxalis caprina oxalis WA X 2
485. Oxalis corniculata yellow wood sorrel, procumbent Vic, NSW, Qld, XXXX 4
yellow sorrel, Indian sorrel, ACT
sheep sorrel, sourgrass,
creeping wood sorrel, creeping
sorrel, vinagrillo, tarhakäenkaali,
oxalis, wood sorrel, yellow
oxalis, creeping lady's sorrel,
creeping oxalis
486. Oxalis flava yellow oxalis WA X 2 Vic, Tas Y
487. Oxalis glabra finger leaf oxalis WA X 2 Vic Y
488. Oxalis incarnata pale wood sorrel, pale pink Vic, NSW, WA HXX 3
sorrel, lilac oxalis, crimson
woodsorrel
489. Oxalis obtusa primrose wood sorrel, suring Vic X 2 Vic, NSW Y
490. Oxalis pes-caprae soursob, Bermuda buttercup, Vic, SA, WA HHX 5 Vic, SA, WA SA, Vic
African woodsorrel, buttercup
oxalis, cape cowslip, oxalis,
sorrel, sourgrass, yellow
flowered oxalis, yellow sorrel,
sour sobs, soursop, wild sorrel,
wood sorrel
491. Oxalis polyphylla WA X NSW, Vic Y
492. Oxalis purpurea purple oxalis, purple woodsorrel, Vic, SA, NSW, HXXX 5 SA, Vic, Tas Y
grand Duchess, sorrel, large WA
flower wood sorrel, four o'clock
493. Oxalis spp. woodsorrel, oxalis, sorrel, Vic, SA, NSW, XXXXX
shamrock, lucky clover, good Qld, WA
luck plant
494. Oxylobium oxylobium Vic H
lanceolatum
495. Papaver hybridum rough poppy, round prickly Vic, SA, WA XXX 3
headed poppy, round rough
headed poppy, karvaunikko
496. Papaver opium poppy, breadseed poppy, Vic, ACT XH
somniferum poppy, oopiumiunikko
497. Paraserianthes stinkbean, brush wattle, Cape Vic, SA, NSW, HXXX WA, Vic Y
lophantha wattle, plume albizia, crested Tas
wattle
498. Parietaria judaica pellitory, wall pellitory, spreading Vic, SA, NSW, XXXXS 3 NSW, WA Vic, Tas, Qld Y
pellitory, sticky weed, pellitory of WA, Sleeper
the wall, muuriyrtti
499. Parkinsonia Jerusalem thorn, parkinsonia, SA, NSW, Qld, XXXHH 5 W Qld, SA, NT, WA, NSW, Qld, NT, Y
aculeata horse bean, retama, Mexican NT, WA NSW WA, SA
palo verde
WWF-Australia 93
(1)
Finder) references)
500. Parthenocissus Virginia creeper, Boston ivy, NSW, Sleeper XS 2 Vic, NSW, Tas, Y
quinquefolia Japanese ivy, American ivy, five WA
leaved ivy, woodbine
501. Passiflora caerulea blue passion flower, common Vic X 2 NSW Y
granadilla, grenadilla, passion
flower, passion fruit, Braszilian
passion flower
502. Passiflora red passion flower Vic, Tas XX Vic Y
cinnabarina
503. Passiflora edulis purple granadilla, passion fruit, NSW, Qld XX 3 NSW, Qld Y
yellow passion fruit, purple
passion fruit, liliko’i, qarandila,
vaine tonga, pasio, pompom en
wai
504. Passiflora banana poka, banana Vic, Tas, HXS 3 NSW Y
mollissima passionfruit, bananaadilla, pink Sleeper
banana passionfruit
505. Pelargonium spp. geranium, garden geranium Vic X Y
(2)
506. Pennisetum swamp foxtail grass, Chinese Vic, Tas, HXS 3 NSW, Vic, WA, Y
alopecuroides pennisetum, Chinese Sleeper Qld
fountaingrass
507. Pennisetum kikuyu grass, Yaa kikuyu, kikuyu Vic, SA, NSW, HHXXH 4
clandestinum Qld, WA
508. Pennisetum African feather grass, Vic, SA, WA, HXHS 3 Vic, SA, Tas, WA Vic, Tas, SA
macrourum beddingrass Sleeper
509. Pennisetum elephant grass, napier grass, Qld, WA, XXS 4
purpureum merker grass, bokso, puk soh, Sleeper
acfucsracsracsr, herbe éléphant,
fausse canne à sucre,
ilengesongo, iswe bingobingo,
napier fodder
510. Pennisetum fountain grass, crimson SA, Qld, WA, XXXX 4 Qld Qld Vic Y
setaceum fountaingrass, pronkgras, NT(3)
African fountain grass
511. Pennisetum feathertop, longstyle feather Vic X 4 NSW, Tas, WA Tas NSW Y
villosum grass, feather grass, long styled
feather grass, white foxtail,
veergras, zacate plumosa
512. Persicaria capitata persicaria, nuppitatar NSW X 2
513. Petasites fragrans winter heliotrope Vic, Sleeper XS 2
514. Phalaris reed canarygrass, lady grass, Vic X Qld Y
arundinacea spires, doggers, sword grass,
ladie’s laces, bride’s laces,
London lace
515. Phleum pratense timothy, Timothy grass, cat's tail Vic, SA, WA, HXXS 4
grass, herd’s grass Sleeper
516. Phoenix Canary Island date palm, Vic, NSW XX 3 Qld, NSW, NT, Y
canariensis phoenix palm WA
517. Phoenix dactylifera date palm, arrak, taatelipalmu WA H 4 Vic, NT Y
518. Phormium tenax New Zealand flax, harakeke, flax Vic, Tas, XXS 2 Qld, NSW, NT, Y
Sleeper Vic, WA, SA
519. Phragmites common reed, giant reed, WA X NSW, Tas, Vic, Y
australis phragmites, common reedgrass SA
canegrass, giant reed grass,
ditch reed, reed grass
520. Phyla canescens NSW (3) X NSW, WA NSW
521. Phyla nodiflora matgrass, creeping vervain, NSW, WA XH NSW, WA NSW Qld, NSW, Vic, Y
lippia, frogfruit, carpet weed, WA
condamine couch, no mow,
turkey tangle fogfruit
522. Phyllostachys Phyllostachys aurea Rivière & C. ACT(3) X 3 NSW, WA NSW NSW (4), Qld, Y
aurea Rivière (GRIN), Phyllostachys WA, Vic
bambusoides Sieb. et Zucc. var.
aurea (Carr. ex Riv.) Makino
(Xie) , Sinoarundinaria aurea
Honda (OHRN), Sinoarundinaria
reticulata Ohwi var. aurea
(Carrière ex A. & C. Rivière)
Ohwi
523. Phyllostachys Japanese timber bamboo, giant NSW X 3 NSW, WA NSW Qld, NSW (4), Y
bambusoides timber bamboo, madake WA
524. Phyllostachys black bamboo NSW X 3 NSW, WA NSW Qld, Vic, WA Y
nigra
525. Physalis minima gooseberry, wild gooseberry, WA H
pygmy groundcherry, native
gooseberry, chirphoti,
chirpotoka, chirpotyo, papotan,
pipat, chinese lanternplant,
Thong theng
526. Pinus contorta lodgepole pine, shore pine, Alps X 2
kontortamänty, beach pine
527. Pinus elliottii slash pine, pine tree, basden Qld X 4 Vic Y
528. Pinus halepensis aleppo pine, halepensis pine, SA, Sleeper XS 3 SA, WA Vic, NSW, SA Y
Jerusalem pine
529. Pinus nigra black pine, Austrian pine, Vic, SA XX Vic Y
Corsican pine
530. Pinus pinaster cluster pine, maritime pine, Vic, SA, WA, HXHS 5 Vic Y
trosden, wilding pine Sleeper
531. Pinus radiata radiata pine, Monterey pine, Vic, SA, NSW, HHXXXHX 5 Widely Y
wilding pine, radiate pine, Qld, Tas, WA, available
insignis ACT
94 WWF-Australia
(1)
Finder) references)
532. Pinus spp. pine, wilding pine Vic, SA, NSW, XXXXXXX
Qld, Tas, WA,
ACT
533. Pistia stratiotes water lettuce, tropical duckweed, WA, ACT XH 5 NSW, Qld, NT, NSW, Qld, NT, Vic Y
laitue d'eau, pistie, lechuguita de WA, ACT WA
agua, repollo de agua, apon
apon, apoe apoe, beo cai,
chawk, Nile cabbage, waterslaai,
Nile cabbage, shellflower, water
fern, floating aroid, chok
534. Pittosporum karo pittosporum, karo, stiffleaf Vic X 3
crassifolium cheesewood, thick leaved box,
dwarfkaro
535. Pittosporum tarata, lemonwood Vic X 2 NSW, Vic Y
eugenioides
536. Pittosporum kohuhu, black matipo, tawhiwhi Vic X NSW Y
tenuifolium
537. Pittosporum Australian cheesewood, Vic, SA, Tas, HHHX NSW, WA Qld, NSW, WA, Y
undulatum Victorian box, mock orange, WA Vic
sweet pittosporum, New Zealand
daphne, Victorian laurel, orange
pittosporum, wild coffee
538. Plantago buckhorn plantain, buck's horn Vic, WA HX 3 NSW, Tas Y
coronopus plantain, liuskaratamo
539. Plantago lance leaved plantain, buckhorn, Vic, NSW, WA HXX 4 Qld Y
lanceolata ribwort plantain, ribwort, English
plantain, narrow leaved plantain,
buckhorn plantain, rib grass, rat
tail, heinäratamo, German
psyllium, lamb's tongue, small
plantian, wild sago
540. Plantago major broadleaf plantain, Yaa en yued, Vic, NSW, WA XXX 4 Tas Y
great plantain, ribwort plantain,
llantén, large plantain, common
plantain, dooryard plantain,
whiteman’s foot, grand plantain,
ribwort, ribgrass, narrow leaved
plantain, buckhorn plantain, cart
track plan, wild sagot
541. Platanus hybrida plane tree, London planetree Vic X NSW, Vic, WA Y
542. Poa annua annual bluegrass, winter grass, Vic, NSW, WA XXX 4
kylänurmikka, fienarola annuale,
annual poa, annual meadow
grass, annual poa, low spear
grass, six weeks grass, goose
grass, pasto de invierno,
walkgrass
543. Podalyria sericea silky podalyria Vic, Tas, WA XXX 2 Vic, NSW Y
544. Polygala myrtifolia sweet pea bush, myrtle leaf Vic, SA, NSW, HHHXX 5 Y
milkwort Tas, WA
545. Polygala virgata polygala, purple broom, Vic, SA, NSW, HXXXXS 2
kalimbesokola Qld, WA,
Sleeper
546. Polyscias elderberry panax Tas H NSW, Vic Y
sambucifolia
547. Pontederia cordata pickerelweed, pontederia Vic X 2 Vic, NSW, Qld, Y
SA
548. Populus alba white poplar, silver leafed Vic, SA, NSW, XXXXSH 3 NSW Y
poplar, abele, silver poplar, WA, ACT,
poplar Sleeper
549. Populus nigra black poplar, Lombardy poplar, Vic, WA, ACT, XXSH NSW Y
black cherry Sleeper
550. Prosopis spp. mesquites Qld, WA, XXS W Qld, WA, SA, NT, Vic, NSW, Qld,
Sleeper Vic, NSW NT, WA, SA
551. Prunella vulgaris healall, selfheal, carpenters WA X 4 Qld, Tas Y
weedcommon selfheal
552. Prunus cerasifera cherry plum, myrobalan plum, Vic, SA, NSW, HXXH 3 NSW, Vic, WA Y
thundercloud cherry, myrobalan, ACT
purple leaf cherryplum
553. Prunus cherry laurel, common cherry Vic, SA, HXS 3 NSW, Vic, WA Y
laurocerasus laurel, Portugese laurel Sleeper
554. Prunus lusitanica Portugal laurel Vic H 3 NSW, Vic, WA Y
555. Prunus persica peach, nectarine, persikka, NSW X NSW Y
556. Prunus serotina black cherry, rum cherry, wild ACT, Sleeper SX 1 NSW, Vic Y
cherry, kiiltotuomi
557. Prunus spinosa sloe, blackthorn Vic, Tas XH 4 NSW, WA Y
558. Psidium guajava apple guava, guava, abas, apas, NSW, Qld, XXS 5 NSW, Qld Y
bonongu, guabang, kuabang, Sleeper
guahva, quwawa, koejawel,
kuahpa, kuava, amrut, kautoga,
ku'ava, kuhfahfah, kautonga,
kuawa, goyavier, ku'avu, tu'avu,
te kuawa, kuwawa, mpela,
nguava, ngguava ni India, yellow
guava
559. Psoralea pinnata blue psoralea, African scurf pea, Vic, NSW, Tas, HXHXS 4 Vic Y
dally pine, fountain bush, WA, Sleeper
taylorinna
560. Pyracantha orange firethorn, firethorn, Vic, NSW, HXSH 5 WA, ACT NSW, WA Y
angustifolia yellow firethorn, ACT, Sleeper
geelbranddoring, narrowleaf
firethorn
WWF-Australia 95
(1)
Finder) references)
561. Pyracantha Himalayan firethorn, Nepalese Vic, ACT HH 5 NSW Y
crenulata white thorn, rooivuurdoring, fire
thorn
562. Pyracantha Chinese firethorn, firethorn, NSW, ACT XH 4 WA, ACT NSW Y
fortuneana broad leaf firethorn
563. Pyracantha Formosa firethorn, firethorn ACT H 2
koidzumii
564. Pyracantha fire thorn ACT H 5 NSW Y
rogersiana
565. Pyracantha spp. firethorn, pyracantha Vic, NSW, XXH
ACT
566. Quercus ilex holly oak, holm oak, belloTas, ACT X 1 Vic, NSW, WA Y
ballota, evergreen oak
567. Quercus robur English oak, pedunculate oak, Vic, ACT XX 2 NSW, Vic, WA Y
common oak, truffle oak, oak
tree
568. Ranunculus roughseed buttercup, sharp Vic, WA XX 3
muricatus buttercup, buttercup, spinyfruit
buttercup, prickle fruited
buttercup, Scilly buttercup,
buttercup
569. Ranunculus creeping buttercup, ranuncolo Vic, NSW, HXX 4 NSW Y
repens strisciante, rönsyleinikki ACT
570. Raphanus jointed charlock, wild radish, Vic, WA XX 5 NSW, WA
raphanistrum jointed charlock, white charlock,
jointed radish, wild kale, wild
turnip, cadlock, rabizon, runch,
ravanello selvatico, peltoretikka,
sea radish
571. Reseda lutea yellow mignonette, cutleaf WA X 4 SA, WA SA
mignonette, wild mignonette
572. Reseda luteola wild mignonette, dyer's rocket, Tas, WA XX 4 Vic, WA Vic Tas Y
dyer's weed, weld, yellow weed
573. Retama raetam white weeping broom, ratamals, SA(3), WA(3), XXS 3 A, EE
white broom Sleeper
574. Rhamnus Italian buckthorn, evergreen Vic, SA, WA HHH 5 Vic Y
alaternus buckthorn, Mediterranean
buckthorn
575. Rhaphiolepis Indian hawthorn, cherry laurel NSW, Qld, XXS 2 NSW, NT, WA, Y
indica Sleeper Vic, Qld
576. Rhus glabra smooth sumac, western sumac ACT X
577. Ribes sanguineum redflowered currant, flowering Tas H 3 Vic, NSW Y
currant
578. Ricinus communis castor bean, castorbean tree, Vic, SA, NSW, XXXXHX 4 NSW, NT, WA NT Tas Y
castor oil bush, castor oil plant, Qld, NT, WA
castor oil tree, wonder tree,
risiini, kasterolieboom, umFude,
umHlafuto, muPfuta, palma
christi, African coffee tree,
agaliya, gelug, maskerekur,
uluchula skoki, mbele ni
vavalagi, toto ni vavalagi, utouto,
lama papalagi, tuitui, tuitui fua
ikiiki, koli, lama palagi, lepo, ricin
579. Rivina humilis baby pepper, bloodberry, coral NSW, Qld, XXS 5
berry, rouge plant, polo Sleeper
580. Robinia black locust, false acacia, locust Vic, SA, NSW, HXXXH 5 Vic Y
pseudoacacia tree, yellow locust, witakasia WA, ACT,
581. Romulea romulea Vic X Vic Y
bulbocodium
582. Romulea flava frutang WA H Vic Y
583. Romulea frutang, small onion grass, small Vic, SA, WA HXX 3
minutiflora flower onion grass
584. Romulea obscura romulea WA X 2
585. Romulea rosea onion grass, Guildford grass, Vic, WA HH Vic Y
australis oniongrass, rosy
sandcrocus
586. Rorippa one row water cress, brown Tas X
microphylla watercress, narrow fruited water
cress
587. Rorippa watercress, great water cress, Vic, Qld, Tas, HXXH NSW, Qld, Vic, Y
nasturtium- bronkors, green water cress, two WA SA
aquaticum row watercress
588. Rorippa palustris marshcress, common Vic H 3
yellowcress, bog yellowcress,
bog marshcress, yellow
watercress, marsh yellowcress,
rantanenätti
589. Rosa canina dog rose, brier rose, rosa canlna SA H 4 SA, WA SA Qld, Vic Y
590. Rosa rubiginosa sweet briar, eglantine, sweet Vic, SA, Qld, XHXXH 5 NSW, Vic, SA, WA SA, Vic Vic, SA Y
brier, sweet brier rose Tas, ACT
591. Rosa spp. rose Vic, SA, Qld, XXXX Y
Tas
592. Rubus discolor Himalaya berry, blackberry, Vic, WA HH 5
Himalayan giant blackberry,
armeniankarhunvatukka
593. Rubus fruticosus European blackberry, shrubby Vic, SA, NSW, XXXXXHX W NSW, Vic, Qld, Qld, Tas, WA,
blackberry, wild blackberry Qld, Tas, WA, SA, WA, Tas, ACT SA, Vic
complex, brombeere, bramble, ACT(3)
blackberry, braam
594. Rubus parvifolius Japanese raspberry, western Alps X NSW, Vic Y
thimbleberry, thimbleberry
96 WWF-Australia
(1)
Finder) references)
595. Rumex brownii swamp dock, brown dock, Vic, Qld XX
hooked dock, slender dock
596. Rumex dock, sharp dock, cluster dock, Vic, WA HX 4
conglomeratus saksanhierakka, green dock
597. Rumex crispus curly dock, curled dock, curlyleaf Vic, WA HX 4
dock, narrowleaf dock, sour
dock, yellow dock, Lengua de
Vaca,
598. Rumex obtusifolius bitter dock, broad leaved dock, Vic X 3
round leaved dock,
tylppälehtihierakka,
599. Rumex sagittatus climbing dock, red sorrel Vic H
600. Ruta graveolens common rue, countryman's Vic X 1 Qld, NSW, Tas, Y
treacle, garden rue, herb of Vic
grace, herb of repentance, rue,
herby grass
601. Salix alba white willow, willow Vic, ACT(3) XX W Qld(4) Y
602. Salix babylonica weeping willow, willow tea Vic, NSW, Qld, HXXXH 5 NSW, WA Y
WA, ACT
603. Salix cinerea grey sallow, gray willow, large Vic, ACT(3) HX W Vic Y
gray willow, common willow,
tuhkapaju, fen sallow
604. Salix fragilis brittle willow, crack willow, fragile Vic, Tas, XXX W
willow ACT(3)
605. Salix nigra black willow, black American ACT(3) X 5 W NSW, SA, WA, Tas, SA, Qld
willow Tas, ACT, Qld
(3)
606. Salix purpurea basket willow, purple osier, ACT X 5 W Vic Y
purpleosier willow, purple willow
607. Salix spp. willow Vic, SA, NSW, HXXXS NSW, SA, WA, SA, NSW, Qld,
Tas, Sleeper Tas, ACT, Qld Tas
608. Salix viminalis osier, koripaju, withy, basket ACT(3) X 5 W
willow, common osier
609. Salix x sepulcralis golden weeping willow NSW, ACT(3) XX 5 W NSW Y
var. chrysocoma
610. Salvia verbenaca salvia, vervain salvia, wild sage, Vic, Qld, WA HXX 4
wild clary
611. Salvinia molesta water fern, salvinia, water fern, Vic, NSW, Qld, XXXHHH 5 W NSW, Vic, Qld, Vic, NSW, Qld,
kariba weed, African payal, koi NT, WA, ACT SA, NT, WA, Tas, Tas, NT, WA,
kandy, watervaring, African pyle ACT SA
612. Salvinia spp. watervaring, Kariba weed, Vic, NSW, Qld, XXXXX Qld, WA Qld
watermoss, salvinia, floating fern NT, WA
613. Sambucus nigra elder, European black Tas X 3 Qld, NSW, SA, Y
elderberry, common elder, Tas, Vic
elderberry, musTaselja,
sambuco
614. Samolus valerandi brookweed, seaside brookweed, WA H 3
suolapunka
615. Sanchezia Qld, Sleeper XS 2
parvibracteata
616. Sansevieria mother in law's tongue, snake Qld, Sleeper XS 3 Qld, NSW, Vic Y
trifasciata plant, viper's bowstring hemp,
lengua de suegra
617. Sapium sebiferum tallowtree, Chinese tallow, NSW X 4 NSW, Vic, WA, Y
popcorn tree, vegetable tallow Qld
618. Saponaria bouncingbet, soapwort, Tas X 3 Qld, NSW, Tas, Y
officinalis bouncing bet, sweet Betty, Vic
bladder soapwort, China cockle,
cockle, cow basil, cow cockle,
cow foot, cow herb, cow soap
wort, glong, spring cockle,
suopayrtti, saponaria
619. Scabiosa pincushion, mourningbride, SA, WA XX 3
atropurpurea pincushion flower, sweet
scabious
620. Schefflera schefflera, Australian umbrella NSW, Qld XX Qld, NT, WA Y
actinophylla tree, Queensland umbrella tree,
octupus tree, Australian ivy
palm, ivy palm
621. Schinus areira pepper tree, Californian pepper Vic, SA, NT HXX 5 NSW, SA Y
tree, pepper corn tree,
pepperina, Brazilian pepper tree
622. Schinus Brazilian pepper, NSW, Qld, WA, XXHS 5 NSW, Qld Qld Qld(4), NT Y
terebinthifolius Christmasberry, schinus, Florida Sleeper
holly, Brazilian peppertree,
christmas berry, wilelaiki, nani o
hilo, Christmas berry tree, South
American pepper, Brasiliaanse
peperboom, Florida holly, faux
poivrier, warui
623. Scilla peruviana Cuban Lily, Peruvian lily, Tas X 2 NSW, Vic, SA, Y
Peruvian jacinth, Peruvian squill, Tas
squill
624. Sedum acre mossy stonecrop, stonecrop, Tas X 4 Qld, NSW, Vic Y
wall pepper, yellow stonecrop,
yellow sedum, keltamaksaruoho,
goldmoss stonecrop, biting
stonecrop
625. Sedum reflexum reflexed stonecrop, Jenny's Tas X 3
stonecrop, crooked yellow
stonecrop
626. Selaginella garden selaginella, Krauss' Vic X 3 Vic Y
kraussiana spikemoss, mossy clubmoss,
selaginella, African club moss
WWF-Australia 97
(1)
Finder) references)
627. Senecio angulatus climbing groundsel, Cape ivy Vic, SA, HXS 2
Sleeper
628. Senecio elegans purple groundsel, purple Vic, SA, Tas, HXXX 5
ragwort, redpurple ragwort WA
629. Senecio large senecio, pink ragwort, holly NSW, WA, XXS 4 A, EE
glastifolius leaved senecio, waterdissel Sleeper
630. Senecio jacobaea tansy ragwort, stinking willy, Vic, Tas XX 5 NSW, Vic, SA, Vic, Tas, WA,
ragwort, St James wort, stinking WA, Tas SA
willie, common ragwort,
jaakonvillakko
631. Senecio vulgaris ragwort, groundsel, sticky NSW, WA XX 4
groundsel, stinking groundsel,
wood groundsel, senecione, old
man in the spring, grimsel,
simson, bird seed, peltovillakko,
common fireweed
632. Senna alata candle bush, emperor's Qld, NT, WA, XHHS 5 NT, WA NT, WA Qld Y
candlesticks, ringwormshrub, Sleeper
ringwormbush, ringworm senna,
empress candle plant, Christmas
candle, seven golden
candlesticks, candlestick senna
633. Senna pendula climbing cassia, christmas NSW, Qld, HXS NSW, WA NSW
senna, valamuerto, eastern Sleeper
cassia
634. Sherardia arvensis field madder, blue field madder, Vic, SA, Tas, XXXX 4
spurwort, herb sherard, meadow WA
bedstraw
635. Sida rhombifolia arrow leaf sida, Pretoria sida, NSW, Qld, NT XXH 4 NT, WA NT
Paddy's lucerne, broomstick,
common sida, jellyleaf,
Queensland hemp, shrub sida,
sida retusa, shrub sida,
ruutusiida, Cuban jute, mautofu,
te'ehosi, motofu, balais,
mamafu'ai
636. Silene vulgaris maiden’s tears, bladder Vic, SA, NSW XXX SA, WA SA SA, NSW, Vic Y
campion, nurmikohokki, blue
root, rattlebox
637. Sisymbrium hedge mustard, hedge wild Vic, SA, ACT XXX 5
officinale mustard, hedge weed,
rohtopernaruoho, Erísimo,
common hedge mustard
638. Sisyrinchium striped rush leaf, purple eyed Vic, SA, WA XXX 4 NSW Y
iridifolium grass, blue eyed grass, blue
pigroot
639. Solanum aviculare New Zealand nightshade, SA X Vic, NSW Y
kangaroo apple, gunyang,
koonyang, mayakitch, meakitch,
mookitch, poroporo, poroporo,
kohoho, bullibulli
640. Solanum jasmine nightshade, potato vine NSW X 4 NSW, Vic, WA, Y
jasminoides Qld
641. Solanum poroporo, kangaroo apple, WA X Vic, Tas, NSW Y
laciniatum koonyang, meakitch, Tasmanian
kangaroo apple
642. Solanum bugweed, earleaf nightshade, Vic, SA, NSW, HXXX 5
mauritianum wild tobacco tree, woolly Qld
nightshade, bug berry, bugtree,
tobacco bush, luisboom
643. Solanum nigrum black fruited nightshade, black Vic, NSW, Qld, HXXXH 5
nightshade, blackberry, NT, WA
chiSungubvana, common
nightshade, deadly nightshade,
duscle, enab el dib, erba
morella, garden huckleberry,
garden nightshade, harsh,
hierba mora, hound's berry, i
Xabaxaba, inkberry, makoy,
maniloche, maria preta, Ma
waeng nok, moralle, musaka,
muSungusungu,
muTsungutsungu, native
currants, nightshade, petty
morel, poison berry, potato
bush, stubbleberry, tomato bush,
wild currants, wonderberry,
woody nightshade
644. Solanum false capsicum, Jerusalem Vic, NSW HX 4
pseudocapsicum cherry, Madeira wintercherry,
Natal cherry, winter cherry,
Madeira winter cherry
645. Solanum potato creeper, Brazilian NSW, Qld XX 5 NSW, NT, WA Y
seaforthianum nightshade, Italian jasmine,
climbing nightshade
646. Soleirolia soleirolii baby's tears, mother of WA H 3 Qld, Vic, WA Y
thousands, helxine, angel's
tears, Corscian carpet plant,
Corsican curse, Irish moss,
Japanese moss, mind your own
business, peace in the home,
Pollyanna vine, touch me not,
647. Sollya heterophylla bluebell creeper, Australian Vic, SA, Tas(3), HXXX NSW, Tas, Vic, Y
climbing bluebell ACT WA, SA
648.
98 WWF-Australia
(1)
Finder) references)
649. Sonchus oleraceus annual sow thistle, common sow Vic, SA, NSW, HXXXXXH 4
thistle, hare's lettuce, colewort, Qld, Tas, NT,
milk thistle, kaalivalvatti, WA
grespino comune, Cerraja
650. Sorbus aucuparia European mountain ash, Tas X 2 NSW, Vic Y
mountain ash, rowan
651. Sorbus domestica serVice tree, serVice tree arran ACT H 2 Y
652. Sparaxis bulbifera sparaxis, fluweelblom, harlequin Vic, SA, WA HHH 5
flower
653. Sparaxis plain harlequin flower, sparaxis WA H 4 Tas, SA Y
grandiflora
654. Sparaxis pillansii harlequin flower, wandflower, Vic, SA, WA HHX 3
tricolor harleqin flower
655. Sparaxis tricolor wandflower, harlequin flower, Vic, WA XX 3 Qld, Vic Y
tricolor harleqin flower
656. Spartina spp. cordgrass, spartina, marsh grass Vic X
657. Spartina x Townsend's cord grass, spartina Vic H 3
townsendii hybrid, rice grass
658. Spartium junceum Spanish broom, gorse, weaver's Vic, SA, ACT XXH 2 WA, NSW Y
broom, Spaanse besem
659. Spathodea African tulip tree, fireball, Qld, NT, XXS 3 WA, Qld Qld NT, WA Y
campanulata fountain tree, tulipier du Gabon, Sleeper
pisse pisse, rarningobchey,
tuhke dulip, tiulipe, taga mimi,
flame tree
660. Spergularia marina sand spurrey, sea spurrey, Vic X
perennial sea spurrey, lesser
sea spurrey
661. Stachytarpheta Cayenne snakeweed NT X 4 WA, NT NT
cayenensis
662. Stachytarpheta Light blue snakeweed NT X 5 WA, NT NT
jamaicensis
663. Stellaria media chickweed, common chickweed, Vic, SA, NSW, HXXXX 4 Qld Y
starwort, starweed, winterweed, Qld, WA
satin flower, mouse eared
chickweed, pihatähtimö,
esparguta, capiquí, bindweed,
tongue grass, white bird's eye
664. Stenotaphrum St. Augustine grass, Vic, SA, NSW, HXXH 3 NSW Y
secundatum buffalograss, crabgrass, pimento WA
grass, Cape kweek, Cape quick
grass, carpet grass, coarse
couch grass, coarse quick grass,
coastal buffalo grass, coast
kweek, couch grass, grove
kweek, mission grass, quick
grass, ramsammy grass,
seaside quick grass
665. Symphytum common comfrey, English Vic X 4 Qld, NSW, Vic, Y
officinale comfrey, comfrey, knitbone, Tas
rohtoraunioyrtti, consolida
maggiore
666. Tagetes minuta wild marigold, stinking Roger, SA, NSW, Qld, XXXX 4
Mexican marigold, stinkweed, WA
tall khaki weed, muster John
Henry, chinchilla,
pikkusamettikukka, mbanda,
little marigold
667. Tamarix aphylla athel, tamarisk, athel pine, athel SA, NT, WA, HHHS 5 W NT, SA, WA, Tas, SA, Qld, Tas, WA Y
tree, flowering cypress, athel Sleeper Qld NT
tamarisk
668. Tamarix NSW, Qld, WA XXX 4 NSW, NT Y
ramosissima
669. Taraxacum common dandelion, English Vic, SA, NSW, XXXXX 4 Qld, NSW, Tas Y
officinale dandelion, dandelion, little Tas, WA
marsh dandelion, bog dandelion,
lesser dandelion, tarassaco,
Diente de león, lion's tooth,
blowball, cankerwort, door head
clock, milk witch, puffball, witch’s
gowan, yellow gowan
670. Tecoma stans yellow trumpetbush, yellow bells, Qld, NT(3) XX 4 Qld, WA Qld NT, Qld(4), WA Y
yellow elder, tagamimi, piti,
peeal, trovadora, geelklokkies
671. Teesdalia shepherd's cress, barestem Tas H 4
nudicaulis teesdalia
672. Tetrapanax aralia, ricepaper plant ACT X 3 NT Y
papyrifer
673. Teucrium curled woodsage, woodsage, Tas H 2 NSW, Tas Y
scorodonia woodland germander, kelta
akankaali
674. Thlaspi arvense field pennycress, pennycress, Tas X 2 WA WA
Frenchweed, fanweed,
stinkweed, bastard cress,
mithridate mustard, devil weed,
carraspique, fan weed,
mithridate mustard
675. Thryptomene Grampians thryptomeme Vic H Vic, Tas, WA, Y
calycina SA, NSW
676. Thunbergia alata blackeyed Susan vine, NSW, Qld, XXS 5 Vic Y
kakobakansimba, Waew taa Sleeper
WWF-Australia 99
(1)
Finder) references)
677. Thunbergia blue thunbergia, thunbergia, Qld, NT, XHS 5 Qld, WA Qld NSW, NT, WA Y
grandiflora blue trumpet vine, Bengal clock Sleeper
vine, blue skyflower, blue
trumpet vine, clock vine, sky
flower, sky vine, large flowered
thunbergia
678. Thunbergia laurel clockvine, blue thunbergia, Qld, NT, XHS 4 A, EE Qld, WA Qld NT Y
laurifolia blue trumpet vine, laurel clock Sleeper
vine, purple allamanda, sky
flower
679. Tipuana tipu rosewood, tipoeboom, tipu tree, Qld X 3 A, EE NSW, NT, Qld, Y
pride of Bolivia Vic, WA
680. Tolpis barbata tolpis, European umbrella WA X 4
milkwort, partavaunikki
681. Trachycarpus fan palm, Chusan fan palm, Vic X Qld, NSW, NT, Y
fortunei Chinese windmill palm, Chinese WA
fan palm, hemp palm
682. Tradescantia wandering jew, wandering Vic, SA, NSW, HXHXXXX 5 Y
albiflora creeper Qld, Tas, WA,
ACT
683. Tragopogon common salsify, Jerusalem star, Vic, SA, Tas, XXXXX 4
porrifolius Joseph's flower, oyster plant, WA, ACT
persbokbaard, purple goat's
beard, purple salsify, salsify,
swart wortel, vegetable oyster,
wild salsify, wilde skorsenier
684. Trifolium pratense red clover, cow grass, trifoglio Vic, WA XX Qld, Tas Y
rosso, purple clover
685. Trifolium repens white clover, Dutch clover, Vic, NSW, WA HXX 4
honeysuckle clover, white trefoil,
purplewort, trébol blanco, white
Dutch clover, ladino clover
686. Trifolium uniflorum oneflower clover Tas X 2
687. Tripleurospermum scentless chamomile, scentless Tas H
inodorum mayweed, peltosaunio
688. Triticum aestivum wheat, pisi ka hola, bread wheat, Vic X 2
common wheat, trigo
689. Tritonia crocata orange tritonia, Vic X 2 Vic, NSW, Tas Y
mosselbaaikalkoentjie
690. Tritonia lineata lined tritonia, bergkatjietee Vic, Tas, WA XXX 3 Vic, NSW Y
691. Tritonia squalida tritonia, kalkoentjie, pink tritonia Vic X 1 Vic, NSW Y
692. Tropaeolum majus garden nasturtium, Indian cress, Vic, SA, NSW, XXXXX 3 NSW, Tas, Vic Y
tall nasturtium, nasturtium Qld, WA
693. Typha orientalis raupo, broad leaf cumbungi, WA H
cumbungi
694. Typha spp. cumbungis, bulrush, totora, Vic, WA XX WA, Tas Tas
cattail
695. Ulex europaeus gorse, common gorse, whin, Vic, SA, NSW, HHXXXH 5 W NSW, Vic, SA, Vic, Qld, Tas,
furze, European gorse, Tas, WA, ACT WA, Tas, ACT, Qld WA, SA
piikkiherne, Gaspeldoring,
696. Ulmus procera English elm, Dutch elm, SA X 2 NSW, Vic, WA Y
common elm
697. Urena lobata Caesar's weed, urena weed, Qld X 5
pink flowered Chinese burr,
hibiscus burr, dadangsi,
dadangsi apaka, dadangsi
machingat, dádangse,
chosuched e kui, karap, korop,
nognuk, osuched a rechui,
motipo, mautofu, mo'osipo,
manutofu, qatima, gataya, jute
africain, nggatima, sachayute,
cadillo
698. Urtica dioica stinging nettle, common stinging WA X 1 Qld, Tas Y
nettle, slender nettle, California
nettle, tall nettle, perennial
nettle, ortica, greater nettle,
European perennial nettle,
common nettle, Swedish hemp,
great stinging nettle
699. Urtica urens burning nettle, stinging nettle, Vic, Qld, WA XXX 4
common stinging nettle, small
nettle, dwarf nettle,
rautanokkonen, ortica minore,
annual stinging nettle, nettle,
bush nettle, bush stinging nettle
700. Verbascum moth mullein, kesätulikukka Vic X 3 SA Y
blattaria
701. Verbascum woolly mullein, flannel plant, Vic, Qld, ACT HXX Vic, WA Vic Qld, Tas Y
thapsus common mullein, big taper,
velvet dock, velvet plant, flannel
leaved mullein, ukontulikukka,
Jacob’s staff, great mullein,
Aaron's rod, blanket weed,
candlewick, flannel leaf,
shepherd's club
702. Verbascum twiggy mullein, wand mullein, Vic, Qld, ACT HXX 4
virgatum slender mullein, purplestamen
mullein, mullein, virgate mullein,
wand mullein, candle stick, moth
mullein, Aaron's rod, green
mullein
703. Verbena aristigera NT(3) X 4 Y
100 WWF-Australia
(1)
Finder) references)
704. Verbena tall vervain, Argentine vervain, Vic, NSW, Qld, XXXXX 3 SA Y
bonariensis cluster flowered vervain, Tas, ACT
verbena, purpletop vervain, wild
verbena, purple top, purple top
verbena, jättiverbena
705. Verbena officinalis European vervain, common Qld X 3 Qld Y
verbena, pigeon's grass, holy
herb, vervain, Nang dong laang,
herb of the cross, wild verbena,
herba sacra, herba veneris
706. Viburnum tinus laurustinus Vic X 3 Widely Y
available
707. Vigna radiata mung bean WA H
708. Vinca major bigleaf periwinkle, periwinkle, Vic, SA, NSW, HXXXX 5 NSW Y
greater periwinkle, vinca, band Tas, ACT
plant, blue buttons, blue
perwinkle
709. Vinca minor periwinkle, pikkutalvio, greater Vic, SA, NSW, XXXXXX 4 NSW, Vic Y
periwinkle, lesser periwinkle, Tas, WA, ACT
common periwinkle, vinca
710. Viola odorata sweet violet, violet, English Vic, SA, NSW, XXXXX 3 Qld, NSW, Vic, Y
violet, florist's violet, garden WA, ACT WA
violet, sweet viola, violet, violet
tea, common violet
711. Viola riviniana Common Dog Violet Vic, NSW (3) XX 2 NSW Y
712. Washingtonia cotton palm, California fan palm, Vic, WA, NT(3) XXX 4 NT Y
filifera Washington palm, cabbage
palmetto, palma de Castilla, fan
palm, American cotton palm
713. Washingtonia Mexican Washingtonia, Mexican WA X 4 NSW, NT, WA Y
robusta fan palm, desert palm, palma
colorada, skyduster, Mexican
Washington palm, Washington
fan palm
714. Watsonia rosy watsonia, cape bugle lily WA H 5 Vic, Tas Y
borbonica
715. Watsonia wild watsonia, bulbil watsonia, Vic, SA, NSW, XHXXH 5 Vic, SA, WA SA, Vic
bulbillifera bugle lily, Merian's bugle lily, Tas, WA
watsonia
716. Watsonia bordered watsonia, fairy Vic, WA XH 4 Vic, Tas Y
marginata watsonia, fragrant bugle lily,
watsonia
717. Watsonia versfeldii watsonia Vic, WA HX 4
718. Wedelia trilobata wedelia, Singapore daisy, dihpw Qld, NSW XX 5 NT, WA Y
ongohng, ngesil ra ngebard,
rosrangrang, atiat, ate, creeping
oxeye
719. Zantedeschia arum lily, calla lily, Egyptian lily, Vic, SA, Tas, HXXH 5 WA WA NSW, Qld, Vic, Y
aethiopica florist's calla, garden calla, Jack WA Tas, SA
in the pulpit, lily of the Nile, pig
lily, turmpet lily, white arum lily
720. Zinnia elegans wild zinnia, elegant zinnia, zinnia Qld X 3
721. Ziziphus Chinee apple, Indian jujube, Qld, NT XX 5 Qld, NT, WA Qld, NT, WA
mauritiana Chinese date, jujube
Source: Derived from Randall, R. and Kessal, O. (2004). National List of Naturalised Garden Plants. WWF-
Australia, Sydney.
Notes
(1)
All references for ‘Available for sale’ category include Aussie Plant Finder (2002), Norfolk Press Species List
(Nationally) and Larkman Nurseries-Victoria sale catalogue (Feb 2004).
(2)
On the National Alert list, Pelargonium alchemilloides is listed, whereas the current list of naturalised garden
plants available for sale includes all Pelargonium spp.
(3)
The species have been recently added to the State or Territory list as naturalised plants. As there is uncertainty
regarding their environmental score, they have been given a status of “Environmental weed (X)” by default in the
current analysis. Simultaneously, some species are naturalised in the Alps and are given (X).
(4)
Refers to those species identified in Aussie Plant Finder (2002) as available for sale that were subsequently
prohibited for sale in the given state. It is assumed that these species have been either subsequently withdrawn
by nurseries in the given state to comply with state laws, or are now being sold illegally.
(5)
The "enviro score" is combined according to the “Naturalised Where” States’ order.
?: Australian rating varies for each subspecies and/or varieties of the species.
WWF-Australia 101
Key to symbols
Environmental score
H Significant environmental weed

X Environmental weed
S Sleeper
National Importance
Q Naturalised garden plants on Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS) list

A Naturalised garden plants on the National Environmental Alert list
EE Naturalised non-native garden plants target for national eradication and impacting natural ecosystems
EA1 Naturalised non-native garden plants target for national eradication and impacting agricultural
ecosystems for eradication or being eradicated at present
EA2 Naturalised non-native garden plants target for national eradication and impacting agricultural
ecosystems recommended for eradication
W Naturalised garden plants on the ‘Weeds of National Significance’ (WONS) list
Australian Rating
The agreed categories for assessing the status of naturalised non-native species in natural ecosystems were
(Groves et al., 2003):
0 Reported as naturalised but only known naturalised population now removed or thought to be removed
0? Uncertainty as to whether any plants exist
1 Naturalised and may be a minor problem but not considered important enough to warrant control at any
location
1? Uncertainty as to whether a small number of plants remain
2 Naturalised and known to be a minor problem warranting control at 3 or fewer locations within a State or
Territory
3 Naturalised and known to be a minor problem warranting control at 4 or more locations within a State or
Territory
4 Naturalised and known to be a major problem at 3 or fewer locations within a State or Territory
5 Naturalised and known to be a major problem at 4 or more locations within a State or Territory
? Information not available at present.
102 WWF-Australia
Appendix 2. Fact Sheets for the ten most mportant garden

plants in each Australian State or Territory
NEW SOUTH WALES
BANANA PASSION FRUIT (NSW-1)
Passiflora tarminiana
= Passiflora mollisima
Passifloraceae
Native to tropical South America
Weed, Quarantine Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed
Also known as Banana poka, Pink banana passionfruit
Banana passionfruit is a vigorous evergreen climber which grows up to 20m scrambling over
buildings, fences and smothering other vegetation. Leaves are alternate, three lobed and dark green.
Spiral tendrils emerge from the leaf axils.
The drooping pink flowers are borne singly. Fruit is an oblong berry initially green but ripening to
yellow containing sweet pulp and up to 200 seeds.
Banana passionfruit spreads vegetatively and by seed dispersed by birds, pigs and foxes which have
eaten the fruit. It is naturalised and becoming an increasing problem near Melbourne and Sydney
where it invades sheltered damp areas in bushland and forest. It is widely available in nurseries and
markets.
References: 1,2,14
WWF-Australia 103
BROOM (NSW-2)
Cytisus scoparius
Fabaceae
Native to Eurasia
Weed, Quarantine Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised, Introduced, Garden Escape, Environmental
Weed, Cultivation Escape
The genus Cytisus contains 33 species of evergreen or deciduous shrubs or small trees without thorns.
Scotch broom , Cytisus scoparius, and its different forms are the most commonly planted species. It is
a shrub or small tree growing to 3m tall. The small leaves are shed during summer. Flowers are pea-
shaped, of various colours and borne prolifically. Fruits are flattened pods which split on hot days and
expel the seeds. Some seeds germinate immediately while others may lie in the soil for many years
before germinating. It is reported that seeds stored for eighty years have still germinated. It is highly
flammable and can change the fire regime of an area.
Seed levels in the soil are often high; up to 11,000 seeds per sq metre have been recorded at
Barrington Tops and 20,000 per sq metre near Braidwood NSW. (Hosking, pers. comm.).
Scotch broom is a naturalised weed in New Zealand, Hawaii, Iran, India, South Africa and the United
States of America.
In Australia it occupies about 200,000has in the ACT, NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia
and competes with native shrubs and understorey plants. In NSW it occupies about 10,000 ha at
Barrington Tops and is also a problem in the Central and Southern Tablelands.
It is one of 49 naturalised non-native species which are having a direct impact on rare and threatened
species. Scotch broom was introduced as an ornamental early in the 19th century and was listed in
several Victorian nursery catalogues in the 1860s. It is now regarded as weedy under appropriate
legislation in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.
References: 1,2,3,16
104 WWF-Australia
CAT'S CLAW CREEPER (NSW-3)

Macfadyena unguis-cati
Bignoniaceae
Native to Brazil
Weed, Quarantine Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed, Casual
Alien
Also known as Cat's claw vine, Claw vine, Cat's claw trumpet, Funnel creeper
Cat's claw creeper is an aggressive woody vine which can climb to a height of 30m with a stem
diameter of 150mm. The leaves are trifoliate with tapering oblong leaflets and the terminal leaflet has
a claw-like tendril. It produces long seed pods with flattened wind-dispersed seeds.
Root tubers and stem runners which root into the soil aid in the spread of this weed. Seed is spread by
wind and water and tubers by flood movement of infested soil. Cat's claw creeper invades disturbed
rainforest and riverbanks and can smother other vegetation causing it to collapse. It may also form a
dense, thick carpet and smother native ground flora. It is a serious weed in northern NSW. It was
ranked second out of 66 environmental weeds assessed for current and future level of impact in
southeast Queensland.
Cat's claw creeper was introduced as a fast growing climber and was listed in many Victorian nursery
catalogues between the 1850s and 1880s. It is still sometimes sold in nurseries.
References: 1,2,6
GLORY LILY (NSW-4)

Gloriosa superba
Liliaceae
Native to Africa
Weed, Naturalised, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed
humans (Everist, 1981). The rootstock is believed to be more toxic than other parts of the plant. It has
been harvested so heavily for the pharmaceutical trade that it is now threatened in some parts of India.
Glory lily was recorded as naturalised in 1972 (Groves et al., 1997). It is now a serious weed on
Moreton Island and along the North Coast of NSW. It forms dense understorey carpets in coastal
dune systems and competes strongly with native flora. It colonises bare soil after Bitou bush control
and has been recorded with up to 70 stems per sq m. (www.agric.nsw.gov.au/weeds).
It is listed for sale in nurseries in Queensland, Northern Territory and Victoria.
References: 1,7,19
WWF-Australia 105
HOLLY LEAFED SENECIO (NSW-5)
Senecio glastifolius
Asteraceae
Native to southern Africa
Weed, Quarantine Weed, Naturalised, Native Weed, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed
Also known as Pink ragwort and Large senecio
Senecio is one of the largest genera of flowering plants with over 1200 species. Holly leafed senecio is
a many-branched small shrub which grows up to 2m tall and becomes woody at the base. The daisy-
like, mauve-pink flowers are borne on long stalks. Seed is produced abundantly and wind blown to
become weedy.
Holly leafed senecio is a major environmental weed in New Zealand and a weed within its natural
range in South Africa. It prefers sandy soils and crowds out native vegetation. It is naturalised in
Western Australia near Albany and in NSW near Bundeena south of Sydney.
References: 1,2,10
HYBRID MOTHER OF MILLIONS (NSW-6)

Bryophyllum daigremontianum
x Bryophyllum delagoense cv. 'Hougtonii'
Crassulaceae
Naturalised
This plant is spread by plantlets carried by water in streams and rivers and by plantlets attached to
animals and in mud. Virtually no seed is produced.
It is widespread in southeast Queensland but not as common as B. delagoense. It is locally common in

northern NSW where it grows near houses or where dumped as garden waste; it is also spreading
along watercourses. Plants, particularly flowers, are poisonous to stock.
References: 1,19,20
106 WWF-Australia
LIPPIA (NSW-7)
Phyla canescens
Verbenaceae
Native to South America.
Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised

Lippia is a ground-hugging perennial with small opposite grey-green leaves sometimes toothed
towards the tips. The stems root freely. Flower heads are circular held above the foliage and pink to
white in colour.
Lippia spreads mainly by pieces broken from the main plant but also by seed. It was introduced as a
lawn substitute as it requires very little water. It is an important weed of inland NSW usually
downstream of irrigation areas where it was used for bank stabilisation along channels. It appears
capable of suppressing other low vegetation.
It is closely related to the native Phyla nodiflora which occurs naturally in northern Australia but has
become naturalised in southern parts of the country.
References: 1,4
MADEIRA VINE (NSW-8)

Andredera cordifolia
= Boussingaultia baselloides
= Boussingaultia cordifolia
Basellaceae
Native to South America
Weed, Naturalised
Other common names include Lamb's tails, Jalap, Mignonette vine
Madeira vine is a vigorous climber which can smother trees and other vegetation causing it to
collapse. The glossy alternate leaves are fleshy and broadly egg-shaped with a rounded tip. Flowers
are small and borne in clusters. They are sweetly scented and initially pale cream but soon darken.
A distinguishing feature of Madeira vine is the aerial tubers which form on the stems and develop
roots when they drop to the ground. Madeira vine can grow to 10 m in one growing season . It also
has underground tubers which float in both salt and fresh water and may be spread in clearing
operations and eroding soil.
Madeira vine tolerates a wide range of soils, is drought- and frost-hardy and is believed to be
poisonous to stock.
It is naturalised in all states except South Australia. In Western Australia it occurs along creeklines on
the Swan Coastal Plain. Madeira vine was ranked fourth out of 66 environmental weeds in southeast
Queensland assessed for their current and future level of impact. Currently, it is rare in Victoria and
Tasmania but its frost hardiness may aid its expansion southwards. In NSW it is a major weed of
coastal urban areas and edges of rainforests where it may smother other vegetation. It is also spreading
into inland areas such as around Tamworth.
WWF-Australia 107
MOTHER OF MILLIONS (NSW-9)
Bryophyllum delagoense
= Kalanchoe delagoense
Crassulaceae
Native to Madagascar
Mother of millions is a perennial shrublet growing to 2m . The stem is erect and unbranched. The
grey-green leaves are round in cross section. Purple, yellow and orange flowers are borne in winter.
Abundant seed is produced. Plants, particularly flowers, are poisonous to stock.
Mother of millions spreads by seed and plantlets carried by water and by seed and plantlets attached to
animals and in mud. It occurs in coastal NSW and was ranked third out of 200 species of invasive
naturalised species in southeast Queensland. It grows mostly near houses and where garden waste has
been dumped.
It can be controlled by fire if there is sufficient fuel.
Mother of millions may be sold under the name of Chandelier plant or its former botanical name of
Kalanchoe.
References: 1,3,19, 20
YERBA DE HICOTEA (NSW-10)
Hygrophila costata
Acanthaceae
Native to Central and South America
Noxious Weed, Naturalised
Hygrophila is a genus of 100 species of perennial herbs inhabiting wet places. Leaves are opposite,
lance shaped or rounded varying when submerged.
Yerba de Hicotea is a significant water weed often displacing most other species in shallow water and
damp soil nearby. It spreads by rooting at the leaf junctions and by seed. It may interfere with water-
based recreation and has naturalised around Lake McDonald Dam near Cooroy, along the edge of the
Caboolture River south of Caboolture and at a few locations in suburban Brisbane (Hosking, pers.
comm. 2004).
In NSW it has naturalised in coastal creeks and rivers in the north east of the state and in a wetland
near Casino. It has also been recorded from Port Stephens and around Sydney.
References: 1,3
108 WWF-Australia
References
1 Randall, R. P. (2002). A Global Compendium of Weeds. R. G. & F.J. Richardson, Melbourne.
2 Csurhes, S. and Edwards, R. (1998). Potential Environmental Weeds in Australia.

National Weeds Program, Environment Australia, Canberra.
3 Royal Horticultural Society (1992). Dictionary of Gardening. The Macmillan Press Limited,
London.
4 Wrigley, J. W. and Fagg, M. (2003). Australian Native Plants. Reed New Holland, Sydney.
5 Mullett, T (2001). Effects of the native environmental weed Pittosporum undulatum Vent. (sweet
pittosporum) on plant biodiversity. Plant Protection Quarterly 16(3): 117-121.
6 Brookes, M. and Barley, R. (1992). Plants Listed in Nursery Catalogues in Victoria 1855 - 1889.
7 Groves, R. H. and Hosking, J. R. (1998). Recent Incursions of Weeds to Australia 1971 - 1995.
Technical Series No 3, Cooperative Research Centre for Weed Management Systems, Adelaide.
8 Parsons, W. T. and Cuthbertson, E. G. (2001). Noxious Weeds of Australia. CSIRO Publishing,

Collingwood, Victoria.
9 Spencer, R. (2002). Horticultural Flora of South-Eastern Australia Vol 4 . University of New South
Wales Press, Sydney.
10 Hussey, B. M. J., Keighery, G. J., Cousens, R. D., Dodd, J., and Lloyd, S. G. (1997). Western
Weeds. Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Perth.
11 Keighery, G. J. (1994). An Annotated List of the Naturalised Vascular Plants of Western Australia.
In: (Burke, G. ed) Invasive Weeds and Regenerating Ecosystems in Western Australia. 1995
Conference Proceedings, Institute for Science and Technology Policy, Murdoch University, Perth.
12a CRC for Australian Weed Management (2003). 'Barleria prionitis', Weed Management Guide:
Alert List for Environmental Weeds, Adelaide.
12b CRC for Australian Weed Management (2003). 'Equisetum spp.', Weed Management Guide:
12c CRC for Australian Weed Management (2003). 'Retama raetam', Weed Management Guide:
13 Lamp, C. and Collet, F. (1989). Field Guide to Weeds in Australia. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
14 Blood, K. (2001). Environmental Weeds. A Field Guide for S E Australia, C. H. Jerram &
Associates-Science Publishers, Mt Waverley, Victoria.
15 Berry, S and Mulvaney, M. (1995). An Environmental Weed Survey of the Australian Capital
Territory. Report prepared for the Conservation Council of the South-east Region and Canberra,
Conservation Council of the South-east Region and Canberra, Canberra.
16. Groves, R. H. et al. (2003). Weed Categories for Natural and Agricultural Ecosystem
Management. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Canberra.
WWF-Australia 109
17 Batianoff, G. N. and Butler, D. W. (2003). Impact assessment and analysis of sixty-six priority
invasive weds in south-east Queensland. Plant Protection Quarterly 18(1): 11-17.
18 Batianoff, G. N. and Butler, D. W. (2002). Assessment of invasive naturalized plants in south-east

Queensland. Plant Protection Quarterly 17(1): 27-34 .
19 Everist, S. L. (1981). Poisonous Plants of Australia. Angus & Robertson Publishers, Sydney.
20 Anon. (2003). Gardening Australia Flora. ABC Books, Sydney.
110 WWF-Australia
QUEENSLAND
COREOPSIS (Qld-1)
Coreopsis lanceolata
Asteraceae
Native to central and south-east United States of America
Weed, Naturalised, Native Weed, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed, Cultivation Escape
Coreopsis is a large genus of about 80 species of annual or perennial herbs. Sometimes called
Tickseed in reference to the appearance of the seeds which are wind-dispersed. Coreopsis lanceolata
is an erect annual or short-lived perennial forming a clump of dark green, deeply-lobed leaves up to
1m tall. Flowers are yellow on long leafless stalks.
It is a weed of agricultural and wasteland in South Africa. In Western Australia it is a garden escape
along the roadside between Perth and Albany and it is known in the Blue Mountains in NSW. In
Queensland it was first recorded as naturalised in Kingaroy in 1944 and is currently spreading as a
roadside weed from Tin Can Bay to the NSW border. It is also abundant in the Stanthorpe district and
has the potential to become a major ground cover weed in forested areas in coastal and sub-coastal
districts of Queensland and NSW.
Three cultivars are promoted in Flora (2003).
References: 1,2,10,20,21
GLORY LILY (Qld-2)
Gloriosa superba
Liliaceae
Native to Africa
Other common names include Climbing lily, Rhodesian flame lily, Flame lily
humans (Everist, 1981). The rootstock is believed to be more toxic than other parts of the plant. It has
been harvested so heavily for the pharmaceutical trade that it is now threatened in some parts of India.
WWF-Australia 111
Glory lily forms dense understorey carpets in coastal dune systems competing strongly with native
flora. It colonises bare soil after Bitou bush control and has been recorded with up to 70 stems per sq
m. (www.agric.nsw.gov.au/weeds).
Glory lily was identified as naturalised at Caloundra in south-east Queensland in 1950. It is now a
serious weed on Moreton Island and the south-east Queensland coast and along the North Coast of
NSW. it is recorded in North Queensland and central Queensland.
Four cultivars are described in Flora and it is listed for sale in nurseries in Queensland, Northern
Territory and Victoria.
112 WWF-Australia
GUAVA (Qld-3)
Psidium guajava and P. guineense
Myrtaceae
P. guajava is native to tropical America

P. guineense is native to Brazil
Weed, Sleeper Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised, Introduced, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed,
Cultivation Escape
Psidium is a genus of about 100 species of evergreen shrubs and trees with opposite light to mid-green
oval leaves with prominent veins. The large white flowers usually open in the early morning and
appear adapted for both wind and insect pollination. The seeds of the fleshy fruits are dispersed by
birds, mammals, domestic livestock and humans.
P. guajava is a weed in Fiji, Hawaii, Mexico and West Polynesia. It is listed as the third most
prominent invasive alien species along roadsides and water crossings in South Africa.
Guava was first recorded as naturalised in Mackay, Central Queensland in 1887. It is now widely
naturalised in coastal areas of North and Central Queensland and is also common in South-east
Queensland. It is host to the papaya fruit fly in northern Queensland. It is also in the Northern
Territory and Western Australia
Guava fruit are used commercially for jams and juices so the plants are commercially available.
References: 1,2,21
JAPANESE HONEYSUCKLE (Qld-4)
Lonicera japonica
Caprifoliaceae
Native to east Asia
Weed, Quarantine Weed, Naturalised, Introduced, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed, Cultivation
Escape
Also known as Chinese honeysuckle.
Japanese honeysuckle is a woody, twining, evergreen climber growing to 10m tall where it can
scramble over other plants and buildings. Leaves are light green about 30 to 70mm long. Branches are
hairy when young and will root wherever they touch the ground. Yellow-white flowers are borne in
pairs near branch tips. They are sweetly scented as the common name suggests and are often grown
for this feature. Seeds are a shiny black berry about 2mm diameter which is poisonous to humans but
eaten by birds who spread them widely.
taproot before the shoots. Once established and entwined in other plants it is very difficult to remove.
WWF-Australia 113
Japanese honeysuckle is naturalised in all states and the ACT. It was first recorded as naturalised in
South-east Queensland in 1910 and is now becoming a weed of the Darling Downs particularly in the
Stanthorpe district, Moreton and Wide Bay districts.
It was ranked 49 out of 200 highly invasive naturalised environmental weed species in South-east
Queensland.
It is sold at markets as it is easy to propagate.
References: 1,2,14,15,18,21
114 WWF-Australia
MICKEY MOUSE PLANT (Qld-5)
Ochna serrulata
Ochnaceae
Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed
Mickey mouse plant is a shrub up to 2.5m tall with glossy, dark green leaves, paler below and with
toothed margins. The yellow flowers, borne in spring and early summer, are fragrant and develop into
round black fruit which are dispersed by birds.
It was recorded in Brisbane Botanical Gardens in 1921 and first collected as naturalised in the
Moreton district in 1975. It is now becoming a major weed of Moreton Bay Islands and is also
reported in North Queensland, Central Queensland and North-east NSW.
It has been ranked number 22 out of 200 invasive naturalised species in South-east Queensland.
MURRAYA (Qld-6)
Murraya paniculata
Rutaceae
Native to China and India and south to Australia
Weed, Naturalised, Environmental Weed, Cultivation Escape
Murraya paniculata cv. exotica is the introduced form of the species which also occurs as a native in
Australia. It has dark green leaves and white perfumed flowers which make it popular as a "green"
fencing and screening plant. The small fruit are dispersed by birds.
It was first recorded as naturalised in Sandgate, southern Queensland, in 1963. It is invasive and
naturalising in South-east and Central Queensland and has the potential to become a serious weed in
North Queensland.
Murraya is widely available in nurseries.
References: 1,20,21
WWF-Australia 115
PARROT'S FEATHER (Qld-7)
Myriophyllum aquaticum
Haloragaceae
Weed, Quarantine Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed,
Cultivation Escape
Perennial, aquatic or semi-aquatic herb with stems up to 5mm thick. The pale to bright green leaves
are deeply divided and clustered around the stem. Flowers are inconspicuous and do not develop into
viable seeds. Spread of the plant is from broken pieces which readily form roots.
Parrot's feather was first recorded as naturalised in southern Queensland on the Gold Coast in 1960. It
is now found in many streams in southern Queensland and dams on the Darling Downs and Cook
pastoral district. It is spread by water but also deliberately and accidentally by humans but is still
available for sale.
References: 1,21
PINK PERIWINKLE (Qld-8)
Catharanthus roseus
Apocynaceae
Weed, Naturalised, Introduced, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed, Cultivation Escape
Pink periwinkle is closely related to Blue periwinkle, a major weed in temperate areas. Pink
periwinkle is an upright herbaceous perennial. The dark green, lance-shaped leaves have a paler mid
rib. The pale pink flowers are borne profusely. There are several horticultural forms selected for their
flower colour.
Seeds are dispersed by ants, wind and water. It was first recorded as naturalised in South-east
Queensland in 1909 and is widely spread from North Queensland south to the NSW border. It is
abundant on Magnetic Island.
It has been ranked no. 62 out of 200 invasive naturalised environmental weed species in south-east
Queensland. It is readily available in nurseries.
References: 1,18,21
116 WWF-Australia
TARO (Qld-9)
Colocasia esculenta
Araceae
Native to India
Weed, Quarantine Weed, Naturalised, Introduced, Environmental Weed, Cultivation Escape
Taro is a perennial aquatic herb with tuberous roots and large arrow- or heart-shaped leaves 150 x
350mm on sturdy stalks.
Taro is dispersed by water and humans and although first recorded as naturalised only in 1996 it is
now spread along many creeks and rivers.
It has the potential to become a major weed along Queensland tropical and subtropical coast and
northern NSW.
Taro is grown widely as a food plant and there are several cultivars. It is readily available.
References: 1,21
YELLOW ALLAMANDA (Qld-10)
Allamanda cathartica
Apocynaceae
Native to north-eastern South America
Weed, Sleeper Weed, Naturalised, Introduced, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed, Cultivation
Escape
Also known as Yellow trumpet vine, Golden allamanda, Golden cup
Yellow Allamanda is scrambling shrub or vigorous evergreen climber up to 16m high. It has glossy-
green leathery leaves. Large yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers up to 120mm are prominent in summer
and autumn. The rounded fruit is covered in spines about 10mm long.
Yellow allamanda was listed in Victorian nursery catalogues as early as 1855. It was first recorded as
naturalised in North Queensland in 1945 but had been grown in Brisbane Botanical Gardens in 1933.
It is spread by wind and water and is now widely naturalised in rainforests from North and Central
Queensland. There are several colour forms and it is widely available in nurseries.
WWF-Australia 117
References
2 Csurhes, S. and Edwards, R. (1998). Potential Environmental Weeds in Australia. National Weeds
London.

10 Hussey, B. M. J., Keighery, G. J., Cousens, R. D., Dodd, J., and lloyd, S. G. (1997). Western
11 Keighery, G. J. (1994). An Annotated List of the Naturalised Vascular Plants of Western

Australia. In (Burke, G. ed) Invasive Weeds and Regenerating Ecosystems in Western Australia, 1995
12a CRC for Australian Weed Management (2003). 'Barleria prionitis', Weed Management
Guide: Alert List for Environmental Weeds, Adelaide.
Associates-Science Publishers, Mt Waverley Victoria.
16 Groves, R. H. et al (2003). Weed Categories for Natural and Agricultural Ecosystem

118 WWF-Australia
invasive weeds in south-east Queensland. Plant Protection Quarterly 18 (1): 11-17.
18 Batianoff, G. N. and Butler, D. W. (2002). Assessment of invasive naturalized plants in south-

east Queensland. Plant Protection Quarterly 17(1): 27-34 .
20 Parker, J. and Malone, M. eds. (2003). Gardening Australia: Flora: the gardener's bible over
20,000 plants. ABC Books, Sydney.
21 Batianoff, G. N. (2004). Personal communication
WWF-Australia 119
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
ALEPPO PINE (SA-1)

Pinus halepensis
Pinaceae
Native to countries bordering the Mediterranean
Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed, Cultivation Escape
Aleppo pine is a spreading evergreen tree up to 20m tall with silvery grey bark. The relatively short
trunk forms many branches. Abundant woody cones release large numbers of windblown seeds which
may spread long distances.
Aleppo pine is the tree of Gallipoli known as Lone Pine. It has been widely planted in parks and
cemeteries as a shade tree in Victoria and South Australia. It was a common tree in Victorian nursery
catalogues in the mid to late 19th century. It is drought-hardy and grows well on limestone soils. It
has become naturalised in Queensland, Victoria and South Australia. It is also a weed in the Cape
region of South Africa and on both the north and south islands of New Zealand.
References 1,2,6
DESERT ASH (SA-2)
Fraxinus angustifolia subsp. angustifolia
Oleaceae
Native to Western Mediterranean and Portugal
Naturalised, Environmental Weed
Formerly known botanically as Fraxinus oxycarpa.
Desert ash is a spreading deciduous tree growing to a height of 10-12 m. Leaves consist of seven
leaflets with toothed margins. Inconspicuous flowers appear in winter when the tree is bare. Flowers
are wind-pollinated. Seeds are winged which aids dispersal by wind. Desert ash will also spread from
root suckers.
Desert ash has been widely used as a street and park tree in South Australia and the ACT where it has
become naturalised. It is also naturalised in NSW and Victoria, invading riparian systems, lowland
grassland and grassy woodland.
References: 1,9
120 WWF-Australia
FOUNTAIN GRASS (SA-3)

Pennisetum setaceum
Poaceae
Weed, Quarantine Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised, Introduced, garden Escape, Environmental
Fountain grass is a densely-tufted perennial growing to 900mm. The flowerhead is a long feathery
spike which makes it attractive for garden cultivation. It spreads by seed, transported by wind and
water or carried on clothing and in dumped garden waste.
It has been listed as a weed in Hawaii, the United States and South Africa. It is banned in New
Zealand. It has become naturalised in Queensland, NSW, Western Australia and South Australia,
particularly on Eyre Peninsula. It is still sold as an ornamental.
References: 1,2
GAZANIA (SA-4)
Gazania linearis
Asteraceae
The species is native to South Africa. Many hybrids have been developed in cultivation which makes
identification difficult.
Gazania is a tough, low-growing perennial herb with lance-shaped leaves and brightly coloured daisy-
like flowers in bronze, yellow and orange tones. It produces abundant wind-blown seeds and spreads
rapidly. It withstands salt-laden winds and grows well in sandy soils. It is often spread in garden
waste.
Gazania is widespread and common in Victoria and naturalised in South Australia and Western
Australia.
The related Coastal gazania, Gazania rigens, has become naturalised on coastal dunes and along
roadsides from southern Sydney to the central coast, on the Eyre Peninsula and southern Mt Lofty
region of South Australia and in the Moreton region of South-east Queensland
References 1,3,14
WWF-Australia 121
GOLDEN WREATH WATTLE (SA-5)

Acacia saligna
Fabaceae
Native to the south west corner of Western Australia, mainly in coastal areas.
Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised, Native Weed, Introduced, garden Escape, Environmental Weed,
Cultivation Escape
Golden wreath wattle is also known as Blue leaved wattle and Orange wattle.
Golden wreath wattle is a medium-sized shrub up to 10m tall and 6m wide. The pendulous branches
are often blue-grey in colour when young. Bright golden flowers borne profusely in spring develop
into smooth brown pods.
It is fast-growing and widely used in parks and for erosion control. It was the main source of tanbark
in the south west of Western Australia. It regenerates well from seed spreading rapidly.
It is a major weed in South Africa where it has been used to stabilise sand dunes. It has become a
weed in eastern NSW and has been planted as a 'native' in South Australia where it is invading
bushland. Locally native wattles should be planted instead of Golden wreath wattle.
References 1, 4
KIKUYU GRASS (SA-6)
Pennisetum clandestinum
Poaceae
Native to tropical east Africa
Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised, Introduced, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed, Cultivation
Escape
Kikuyu is a perennial ground-hugging grass which spreads by runners. It is cultivated for pastures,
lawns and playing fields and is a common weed of gardens and roadsides.
It is recognised as a weed in Queensland, NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. It is
not known to produce viable seeds in South Australia but persists and spreads from deliberate
plantings and sites where garden waste is dumped.
It was used for erosion control on Montague Island off the south coast of NSW but became so dense
that it impeded nesting and access to burrows of the Little penguin (Eudyptula minor). The NSW
National Parks and Wildlife Service has initiated a major control program.
References 1
122 WWF-Australia
OLIVE (SA-7)
Olea europaea
Oleaceae
Olive is believed to be native to the Mediterranean but because it has been grown there for thousands
of years it is impossible to determine precisely where it originated. It was introduced to Australia
initially in 1805 and there have been many importations since. It was listed in many Victorian nursery
catalogues from the mid 1850s.
Olive is now naturalised in South Australia, NSW, Victoria and Western Australia. It is a proclaimed
plant in South Australia when not planted and maintained for domestic or commercial use.
Olive is a long-lived evergreen tree 5-10 m tall with a dense rounded crown. Small white flowers are
followed by fleshy fruits containing a single hard seed. Dispersal of seeds is by birds and many
seedlings appear near old established trees where grazing is limited or absent.
In the Adelaide Hills it has altered the composition of the native vegetation, increased fire hazard and
reduced the recreational value of parklands.
References 1,6,8
PERIWINKLE (SA-8)
Vinca major
Apocynaceae
Other common names include Big leaf periwinkle, Greater periwinkle, Blue buttons and Blue
periwinkle.
Periwinkle is a mounding plant with dark green, opposite leaves on arching stems. Flowers are
brilliant purple in colour. Used in horticulture as a hardy ground cover but it often spreads and is
dumped with other garden waste.
Periwinkle was a common plant in Victorian nursery catalogues in the mid to late 19th century and is
Periwinkle is a major weed in moist gullies in South Australia which adversely affects native
vegetation by smothering it. It is also naturalised in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania.
The related Lesser periwinkle (Vinca minor), is native to northern Europe, the Caucasus and southern
Russia. It has smaller leaves and is less vigorous than Periwinkle but is also a problem in southern
Australia in some places.
References: 1
WWF-Australia 123
TOPPED LAVENDER (SA-9)

Lavandula stoechas
Lamiaceae
Native to the Mediterranean
Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed, Casual Alien
Topped lavender is also known as Bush lavender, French lavender, Italian Lavender and Spanish
lavender
Topped lavender is a small upright shrub to 1m high. The opposite leaves are downy, grayish-green
and fragrant. Flowers are deep purple and fragrant in cylindrical heads topped with a few distinctive
violet bracts. Abundant seeds are produced in late spring and early summer.
Topped lavender has been in cultivation in Australia since 1857 and was recorded in the Adelaide
Botanic Gardens in 1858. It appears in Victorian nursery catalogues in the 1870s. It is naturalised in
Victoria and South Australia and on the Mt Stromlo Observatory site in Canberra before the 2003
bushfires. It has been declared a noxious weed in parts of Victoria.
Seed is spread by wind and water. As a weed it forms dense patches eliminating other species. It is
not eaten by domestic stock and provides harbour for rabbits.
References 1,6,8
WEEPING WILLOW (SA-10)

Salix babylonica
Salicaceae
Native to China
Escape
Weeping willow is a medium-sized, wide-spreading deciduous tree distinguished by its soft green
foliage and long weeping branches. It was commonly listed in Victorian nursery catalogues from
1855 and widely planted along streams and riverbanks.
It is easily propagated from hardwood cuttings and may spread along river systems from broken pieces
which become lodged in stream side banks. It is a useful drought fodder that responds well to hard
pruning.
The leaf fall into streams changes the nutrient status while overhanging branches reduce water
temperatures, thereby adversely affecting some native stream fauna.
References 1,6
124 WWF-Australia
References
London.


Australia. In (Burke, G. ed) Invasive Weeds and Regenerating Ecosystems in Western Australia. 1995
WWF-Australia 125
TASMANIA
ASPARAGUS FERN (Tas-1)

Asparagus scandens
Asparagaceae
Weed, Quarantine Weed, Naturalised, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed
A perennial climber or scrambler with stems up to 250 cm tall. Small leaves are usually in threes and
stems are many-branched. There are separate male and female plants. The females produce bright
orange berries which may remain on the plant from one season to the next. Tuberous roots form a
dense underground mat. It is similar to Bridal creeper , Asparagus asparagoides, a major weed in all
states, and to Asparagus fern, Asparagus densiflorus, which has been declared a noxious weed on Lord
Howe Island.
All forms of Asparagus fern form dense tangles which smother other plants.
Seed is spread by birds, and the long-lived tubers are spread in garden waste.
References: 1,2,14
BLUE PSORALEA (Tas-2)

Psoralea pinnata
Fabaceae
Blue psoralea is an evergreen shrub growing to about 5m tall. It has soft green pine-like leaves 30-
50mm long. Flowers are purple with white wings and pea-like, often in dense clusters. These are
followed by small pods each with a single dark brown seed.
The purple flowers and fast growth make it popular in home gardens. However hardiness and prolific
seed production aid in its naturalisation and invasion of most vegetation types. Mass germination
occurs after fire. It has many of the invasive characteristics of broom.
It is recorded as a weed in all states and commonly available in nurseries.
References: 1,2,14
126 WWF-Australia
BROOM (Tas-3)
Cytisus scoparius
Fabaceae
Other common names include English broom, Spanish broom, Andreanus broom
Scotch broom is a shrub or small tree growing to 3m tall. The small leaves are shed during summer.
Flowers are pea-shaped, yellow in colour and borne prolifically. Fruits are flattened pods which split
on hot days and expel the seeds which germinate freely.
Broom is a popular, hardy garden plant with many different colour forms arising from hybridisation
between different species.
Broom is a naturalised weed in New Zealand, Hawaii, Iran, India, South Africa and the United States
of America.
In Australia it is naturalised in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania where it competes with
native shrubs and other understorey vegetation. It is highly flammable and can change the fire regime
of an area.
Broom is believed to have been introduced as an ornamental early in the 19th century and was listed in
several Victorian nursery catalogues in the 1860s.
It is regarded as weedy under appropriate legislation in ACT, NSW, Victoria, South Australia and
Tasmania.
References: 1,2,8
CAPE LEEUWIN WATTLE (Tas-4)

Paraserianthes lophantha subsp. lophantha
formerly Albizia lophantha
Fabaceae
Native to Western Australia
Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised, Native Weed, Introduced, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed
Cape Leeuwin wattle also has the common names of Stinkbean, Brush wattle, Cape wattle and Plume
albizia
Cape Leeuwin wattle forms a dense evergreen shrub or small tree to 8m in height. It has lacy leaves
and yellow flowers followed by pea-like seed pods.
WWF-Australia 127
It is recorded as weedy in South Africa, Canary Islands and Chile. It is naturalised in SA, Victoria and
NSW in most types of native vegetation. The seeds lie dormant for many years but germinate rapidly
after fire.
Baron Ferdinand von Mueller gave packets of seed to early explorers suggesting they plant some at
each campsite so that later the bright green foliage would provide a marker of the route travelled.
Cape Leeuwin wattle is widely available from nurseries. There are many local wattles which can be
used as substitutes.
References: 1,14
128 WWF-Australia
HIMALAYAN HONEYSUCKLE (Tas-5)
Leycesteria formosa
Caprifoliaceae
Native to the Himalayas, western China, Nepal, Myanmar
Weed, Naturalised, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed, Cultivation Escape
Himalayan honeysuckle is a large deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub growing to 2.5m in height. It

has opposite pointed leaves heart-shaped at the base. The leaves are markedly paler on the
undersurface than above.
White flowers with purplish red bracts in pendant clusters followed by dark crimson round berries are
an attractive feature for gardeners. Himalayan honeysuckle was listed in Victorian nursery catalogues
in the 1850s and widely planted. It is readily available in nurseries.
Himalayan honeysuckle is weedy in Britain and the USA and banned from sale in New Zealand. It is
naturalised in Victoria and in Tasmania, where it occurs on the slopes of Mt Wellington. It is
dispersed by birds and foxes and in garden waste. It has a suckering habit which aids in developing
large clumps in the bush.
References: 1,2,14
HOLLY (Tas-6)
Ilex aquifolium
Aquifoliaceae
Native to south and west Europe, west Asia and North Africa.
Weed, Noxious Weed, Quarantine Weed, Naturalised, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed
Holly is an upright evergreen shrub or small tree growing to 15m tall. It has dark green, prickly leaves
and small off-white flowers borne in the axils of the leaves. In most cases male and female flowers are
borne on different trees. Female flowers develop into rounded glistening dark red berries which in the
northern hemisphere appear in October November and are traditionally associated with Christmas. In
Australia they appear in autumn.
The berries are eaten by birds which disperse the seeds into bushland. Damage to roots may stimulate
suckering and lower branches may root where they touch the ground, forming dense clumps.
Holly is naturalised in NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia, usually in wet forest where it is
a serious threat to native species. It is still sold from many nurseries.
References: 1,2,14
WWF-Australia 129
LOOKING GLASS BUSH (Tas-7)
Coprosma repens
Rubiaceae
Native to New Zealand
Also know as Mirror bush, Creeping mirror plant, New Zealand mirror bush
Looking glass bush is a shrub to small tree up to 8m tall. Branches spreading prostrate sometimes
self-layering. Leaves are broadly oblong 80 x 50 mm, glossy green above and pale beneath. Flowers
are white and arranged in terminal clusters. The fruit is orange and dispersed by birds.
Looking glass bush smothers other plants. It has become naturalised in South Australia, New South
Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. In Tasmania it is a weed of the Furneaux Island group. It grows on
coastal headlands and heathland and tolerates drought, fire and most soil types. It is resistant to salt
spray and often grown in coastal gardens because of its hardiness. There are several cultivars.
References: 1,2,14
RADIATA PINE (Tas-8)
Pinus radiata
Pinaceae
Native to small areas in coastal California
Also known as Monterey pine and Insignis pine after an a earlier botanical name
Radiata pine is a tall evergreen conifer growing up to 50m tall in high quality plantation areas. The
form of the tree in closely-spaced plantations is narrow while open-grown trees become spreading.
Radiata pine bears separate male and female flowers on the same tree with the female flowers
developing into woody cones with large numbers of winged seeds. Viable seeds may remain in the
cones for several years and are often shed abundantly after fire which kills the parent tree.
In the rush to reduce dependence on imports of softwood timber many thousands of hectares of
unalienated native bushland were cleared and planted with Radiata pine. The extent of the plantation
was often determined by adjacent land ownership and steepness of terrain. This meant that plantations
often have a common border with conservation reserves and other native bushland. By 2003 there
were over 716,500 ha of Radiata pine in Australia.
Pines have winged seeds which has aided their dispersal into bushland where they compete with native
species. In practical terms it may never be possible to eliminate this dispersal while the seed source
remains. Genetic modification to produce sterile pines which put more energy into wood production
than reproduction appears to be the only solution to invading pines; however this scientific
achievement is a long way off.
Reference: 1
130 WWF-Australia
SWEET PITTOSPORUM (Tas-9)
Pittosporaceae
Native to NSW
Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised Garden Weed, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed, Cultivation
Escape
Sweet pittosporum has many common names including Victorian box, Mock orange, Australian
cheesewood, New Zealand daphne, Victorian laurel and Wild coffee
Sweet pittosporum is a tall shrub or small tree growing to a height of 12m and spread of 6m. It is
native to wet forests in coastal areas between the Great Dividing Range and the sea from southeastern
Victoria to southern Queensland. It has shiny, dark green oval leaves with wavy edges which give it its
specific name. Creamy white, sweetly-scented flowers are followed by clusters of orange fleshy fruit
about 13mm long. The fruits are attractive to birds.
Sweet pittosporum is now a serious weed problem outside its natural range in Victoria, South
Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia. It is present on King, Lord Howe and Norfolk islands and
many countries overseas, including Jamaica, the Azores and South Africa. It is already a serious weed
in the Sydney area and NSW mid-north coast.
Spread of Sweet pittosporum has been encouraged by horticultural advocates extolling its hardiness
and sweet perfume and by a range of fruit-eating native and exotic birds.
Sweet pittosporum has impacts on natural environments through shading, competition and changes in
soil nutrients. By invading native bushland it has removed fire-adapted species and changed fuel loads
even though it is fire- sensitive.
References 1,4,5
TREE HEATH (Tas-10)

Erica arborea
Ericaceae
Native to Mediterranean, east Africa, Middle East, Canary and Madeira islands
Tree heath is a shrub or small tree up to 7m tall with dark green leaves grooved beneath. It produces
masses of small white, scented flowers followed by small fruits which shed seeds over short distances.
It has a well developed rootstock which reshoots after fire.
Tree Heath is recorded as a weed in New Zealand and Corsica. There are naturalised populations in
South Australia, and in Victoria it is a threat to riverside vegetation. It is widespread in Tasmania.
Tree heath was listed in many Victorian nursery catalogues between the 1850s and 1880s. There are
many other species of Erica which are popular garden plants with weedy potential.
References: 1,2,6
WWF-Australia 131
References
London.
Technical Series No 3 Cooperative Research Centre for Weed Management Systems, Adelaide.


Associates-Science Publishers, Mt Waverley ,Victoria.
132 WWF-Australia
VICTORIA
AFRICAN LOVEGRASS (Vic-1)
Eragrostis curvula
Poaceae
Weed, Sleeper Weed, Quarantine Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised, Introduced, Cultivation Escape,
Environmental Weed
African lovegrass is a densely tufted perennial up to 120 cm tall with curly leaf tips and grey-green
flowers. There are many different variants of this species which leads to confusion regarding correct
identification. It was introduced to Australia as a potential pasture species but most varieties are
unpalatable to stock.
It has naturalised in all Australian states and the ACT. It is a significant environmental weed in
Western Australia where it is common along roadsides in the south-west. In Victoria, African
lovegrass is common from east Gippsland to the Mallee where it has invaded heathlands, woodlands
and grasslands and has been classified as a Prohibited Weed in five regions. It reproduces by seed and
is often mistaken for an Australian native plant.
ASPARAGUS FERN (Vic-2)

Asparagus scandens
Asparagaceae
Weed, Quarantine Weed, Naturalised, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed
A perennial climber or scrambler with stems up to 2500mm tall. Small leaves are usually in threes and
stems are many branched. There are separate male and female plants. The females produce bright
orange berries which may remain on the plant from one season to the next. Tuberous roots form a
dense underground mat. It is similar to Bridal creeper , Asparagus asparagoides, a major weed in all
states and to Asparagus fern, Asparagus densiflorus, which has been declared a noxious weed on Lord
Howe Island.
All forms of Asparagus fern form dense tangles which smother other plants.
Seed is spread by birds, and the long-lived tubers are spread in garden waste.
References: 1,2,14
WWF-Australia 133
BLUE PERIWINKLE (Vic-3)
Vinca major
Apocynaceae
Also known as Bigleaf periwinkle, Greater periwinkle, Blue buttons, Vinca, Sorcerer's violet
Periwinkle is a perennial evergreen creeper which grows up to 500mm tall. It has dark green opposite
leaves on arching stems and can form large, dense mats often covering many square metres. Flowers,
borne singly, are bright blue/mauve in colour. Used in horticulture as a hardy ground cover but it
often spreads and is dumped with other garden waste.
Periwinkle was a common plant in Victorian nursery catalogues in the mid- to late 19th century and is
A serious weed along the Snowy River and in East Gippsland, Victoria. It is a major weed in moist
gullies in South Australia and is naturalised in NSW and Tasmania.
It is related to weedy Madagascar periwinkle, Catharanthus roseus, which has been nominated as one
of the worst ten weeds in cultivation in Queensland.
The related Lesser periwinkle, Vinca minor, is native to northern Europe, the Caucasus and southern
Russia. It has smaller leaves and is less vigorous than Periwinkle but is also a problem in some places.
References: 1,14
GAZANIA (Vic-4)
Gazania spp.
Asteraceae
Gazania is native to South Africa. Many hybrids have been developed in cultivation.
Weed, Naturalised, Environmental Weed
Gazania is a tough low-growing perennial herb with lance shaped leaves and brightly coloured daisy-
like flowers in bronze, yellow and orange tones. It produces abundant wind blown seeds and spreads
rapidly. It withstands salt-laden winds and grows well in sandy soils.
Gazania linearis and G. rigens and hybrids between them are commonly available in nurseries. The
two parent species are naturalised in all states and the Northern Territory.
References: 1,3,14
134 WWF-Australia
HORSETAILS (Vic-5)
Equisetum spp.
Equisetaceae
Native to Northern Hemisphere
Weed, Quarantine Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised, Garden Escape
Horsetails are on the Alert List for Environmental Weeds, a list of 28 non-native plants that threaten
biodiversity.
Also known as Scouring rush, Mare's tail, Pine-grass, Joint weed and Paddock pipes.
The genus Equisetum is a primitive group of non-flowering perennial plants consisting of

approximately 30 species, of which 12 are considered weeds. The most common one in Australia is
Common horsetail, Equisetum arvense, which is a native of Great Britain, Europe, Asia and North
America.
The plant grows to 600mm tall with jointed stems of two distinct types. Fertile pale brown ones
develop in spring and die after shedding spores. Sterile green stems then emerge and persist. They
usually have whorls of spreading branches from most of the upper joints. The shoots grow from long,
underground stems, called rhizomes, which extend to great depths.
Horsetails invade damp ground, river banks, lake margins, gardens and pastures. They grow on many
types of soil and can tolerate low nutrient levels. They are toxic to sheep, cattle, and horses. Root
fragments are easily spread and quickly become established.
Horsetails are naturalised in NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia and Queensland. They are
declared as a pest plant in each of these states and in the ACT. Even so, Horsetails may still be found
in some nurseries and are promoted for medicinal purposes.
References: 1,2,12b,14
OXALIS (Vic-6)
Oxalis spp.
Oxalidaceae
Cosmopolitan, but centres of diversity in South Africa and South America
Quarantine Weed, Naturalised, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed
The genus Oxalis includes over 800 species of annual or perennial, stemmed or stemless, herbs and
shrubs, often with underground bulbs or tubers. A few are aquatic species. Of the thirty species of
Oxalis in Australia, twenty are naturalised and many are existing or potential serious pests in various
parts of the country. Twenty two species of Oxalis were listed in Victorian nursery catalogues between
1855 and 1889. Eleven species are described in Gardening Australia's "Flora" (2003) with
acknowledgement that 'some of the world's worst weeds belong in Oxalis,…'
WWF-Australia 135
One species of concern in Victoria is Soursob, Oxalis pes-caprae which invades coastal heath
vegetation, grassland, woodland and dry forest. It also occurs along roadsides, and in gardens, crops
and pastures. It is distinguished by the three heart-shaped leaflets with or without stalks which fold in
dull days or at night. Flowers are bright yellow in colour and open in sunlight and close at night.
There are masses of underground bulbs which are spread by water, birds, in dumped garden waste and
during cultivation.
136 WWF-Australia
PEPPER TREE (Vic-7)
Schinus areira
Native to northern South America to Mexico
Other common names Californian pepper tree, Peppercorn tree, Peruvian mastic tree
flowers on separate plants. Flowers on the female trees develop into bright red berries with a hard
stone. The seed is very hard and germinates best when passed through the guts of birds. A large
number of seeds are stored in the soil.
Pepper tree is widely planted in homestead gardens and stockyards in dry areas of NSW, Victoria and
South Australia. It has invaded lowland grassland and woodland and dry forest. It has been reported
as spreading in riparian vegetation near Warwick in south-east Queensland and in old settlements in
the Western Australian Goldfields region. It is native to South America and has been planted as a
street tree in southern Europe.
Pepper tree was listed for sale in nursery catalogues in Victoria in the l870s and l880s and is still
References: 1,6,14
PRICKLY PEAR (Vic-8)

Opuntia spp.
Cactaceae
Native to North and South America
Other common names include Tiger pear, Cactus, Tongue, Tree pear, Devil's rope
The genus Opuntia includes over 300 species of succulents of various heights with fleshy 'leaves'.
They always have prickles and usually spines and were grown as 'living fences' in the early days of
European settlement. Flowers are often attractive and the fruits of some species are regarded as a
delicacy.
Prickly pear is one of the most convincing examples of a garden plant gone wild and causing
enormous damage. From a single potted plant in 1839, Prickly pear colonised over 25 million hectares
in Queensland and NSW by 1925. At one stage it was estimated that Prickly pear was advancing at the
rate of 100ha each hour.
WWF-Australia 137
Introduction of the moth Cactoblastis cactorum in 1926 was successful in controlling Prickly pear and
by 1933 it was estimated that 90 per cent of Opuntia in Queensland had been destroyed.
Opuntia species are spread as stem fragments by water and in garden waste. Seed of the succulent
fruits are spread by birds. Various species of Opuntia have become naturalised in Victoria,
Queensland, NSW , South Australia and Western Australia.
Although prohibited from entry to Australia, many Opuntia species are already here and 15 species are
promoted in one horticultural text published in 2004. They are easy to propagate and are often found
on garden stalls at fetes and markets.
138 WWF-Australia
SPANISH HEATH (Vic-9)

Erica lusitanica
Ericaceae
Native to south-west Europe
Weed, Noxious Weed, Quarantine Weed, Naturalised, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed
Another common name is Portuguese heath
Spanish heath is an erect evergreen woody shrub up to 200 cm tall. The leaves are crowded in rings of
three or four on brittle, woody stems densely covered with simple hairs. The flowers are white to pink
in pendulous clusters of three to four on the ends of the very short side branches. The fruit is a capsule
about 3mm long containing many tiny dust-like seeds which are spread by wind, water and on the
coats of animals. The seed remains viable in the soil for several years and it is reported that a single
plant may produce nine million seeds each year. Fire appears to create suitable conditions for
germination and seeding establishment.
Spanish heath is naturalised in New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT. In
Victoria, it is widespread and has invaded lowland grassland/grassy woodland, dry and wet forest and
streamside vegetation. It is available in nurseries and markets.
References: 1,2,14
WHITE TUSSOCK (Vic-10)
Nassella tenuissima
= Stipa tenuissima
Poaceae
Native to Texas, New Mexico, central Mexico
Weed, Quarantine Weed, Noxious Weed, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed, Casual Alien
Also known as Mexican feather grass, Fine-stem needle grass, Pony tails, Angel's hair
White tussock is a perennial grass to 1000mm tall with narrow rolled leaves giving the attractive
appearance of flowing blonde hair. It is difficult to distinguish from Serrated tussock, Nassella
trichotoma, when not in flower.
Seed is spread on clothing, footwear, vehicles, wind and water. It is estimated that it could establish
over 70 per cent of Victoria. It is still available for sale in some nurseries and in 2004 was promoted
in a leading garden magazine for 'its light and airy nature' and it is described in Gardening Australia's
"Flora" (2003).
References: 1,14
WWF-Australia 139
References
London.


140 WWF-Australia
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
ARUM LILY (WA-1)
Zantedeschia aethiopica
Araceae
Weed, Quarantine Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised, Native Weed, Introduced, Garden Escape,
Environmental Weed, Cultivation Escape
Native to southern Africa
Arum lily is also known as a Lily, Egyptian lily, Jack in the Pulpit and White arum lily.
It was widely promoted in nursery catalogues in Victoria between the 1850s and 1880s and is still
popular in the florist trade, being traditionally associated with funerals. The cultivar 'Green Goddess' is
currently fashionable in home gardens.
Arum lily is a perennial herb with large dark green leaves up to 450mm long and 250mm wide. The
small yellow flowers are borne within a large funnel shaped white bract recurved at the tip. All parts
of the plant are toxic when eaten raw.
Arum lily spreads by seed and root fragments. It has become naturalised in the far south coast of
NSW, in the south -western districts of Victoria, the moist valleys of the Adelaide Hills and in north
west Tasmania.
It is a serious weed of wetter pastures in the Margaret River area of Western Australia where it has
been declared noxious. It also grows among heath and on sand dunes on Garden Island. Arum lily
competes with pasture for nutrients and space and may completely replace pasture species in grazing
areas. It is also toxic to stock, especially cattle.
References 1,8,10
BLACK FLAG (WA-2)

Ferraria crispa
Iridaceae
Black flag is a small perennial herb with flowering stems up to 450mm tall. It has been in cultivation
for over 300 years and is grown for its brown to yellow mottled flowers with waved edges to the
petals. It is propagated from seed or divisions.
Flag lily occurs in coastal heath, Tuart, Agonis and Banksia woodland from Perth to Cape Riche. It is
often found growing in clumps and readily recognised by its succulent foliage even when not in
flower.
References 1,3,11
WWF-Australia 141
BROAD LEAF PEPPER TREE (WA-3)

Schinus terebinthifolius
Anacardiaceae
Native to Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay
Weed, Sleeper Weed, Quarantine Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised, Introduced, Garden Escape,
Environmental Weed, Cultivation Escape, Casual Alien
Broad leaf pepper tree has been in cultivation in Australia for almost 150 years and is recorded in
nursery catalogues in Victoria in the mid 1860s.
It is a small tree 4.5m wide and 6 m tall with leathery fern-like leaves. There are separate male and
female trees. Small white flowers on the female trees are followed by bright red fruits which are
dispersed by birds.
It is reported as a weed in Florida, the Bahamas and Hawaii and is naturalised in south-east
Queensland, north-east NSW and parts of Western Australia. It is found on damp sites near Geraldton
and on river banks and swampy sites near Perth. It can rapidly colonise disturbed bushland in low-
lying areas and may suppress re -establishment of native species. It re-sprouts from cut stumps and
produces suckers from damaged roots.
The closely related Pepper tree, Schinus molle var. areira, has been nominated as one of the top ten
invasive naturalised garden plant species available for sale in arid Northern Territory and in Victoria.
It is a larger tree than Broad leaf pepper tree and has fine leaflets. It is widely planted in homestead
gardens and stockyards in dry areas of NSW, Victoria and South Australia. It has been reported as
spreading in riparian vegetation near Warwick in south-east Queensland and in old settlements in the
Western Australian Goldfields region. It is native to South America and has been planted as a street
tree in southern Europe.
References 1,2,6,10,11
COASTAL TEA TREE (WA-4)
Leptospermum laevigatum
Myrtaceae
Native to coastal areas of NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.
Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised, Native Weed, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed, Cultivation
Escape
Also know as Australian myrtle and Victorian tea tree
Coastal tea tree is a tall shrub or small tree to 5m. It is tolerant of salt spray and has been used as a
windbreak or hedging plant and for soil erosion control.
It is widely naturalised outside its natural range in north-east NSW and South-east Queensland where
it competes effectively with native vegetation. In Western Australia it was introduced after sand
142 WWF-Australia
mining and has now become naturalised. It has spread rapidly along road verges between Jurien Bay
and Albany invading coastal heath and woodlands on sandy and lateritic soils. It has abundant white
flowers 15-20 mm across which develop into woody capsules which subsequently open to shed large
numbers of seeds.
It is a weed in South Africa.
Pink tea tree, Leptospermum erubescens, is recommended as a substitute for Coastal tea tree.
References 1, 4,10,11
WWF-Australia 143
FREESIA (WA-5)
Freesia alba x leichtlinii
Iridaceae
This is a hybrid raised in Italy from parents which originated in winter rainfall regions of South Africa.
Naturalised, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed
Freesias are small perennial herbs with leaves arranged in a fan-like iris. They range in height from
100 to 300mm. The flowers may be single or double and scarcely to sweetly scented.
Although species of Freesia were cultivated in Europe in the mid 18th century, selective hybridisation
did not start until the late 19th century. They are now grown in large numbers for the florist trade.
They are propagated from seed or bulb-like corms and may be grown in the garden or indoors in pots.
After potted plants flower and die back they may sometimes be dumped with other garden refuse
which aids their spread.
Freesia is a serious weed of coastal heath, Wandoo and Tuart woodland, granite rocks, from Gingin to
Israelite Bay.
References 1,3,10,11
SPOTTED GUM (WA-6)

Eucalyptus maculata
= Corymbia maculata
Myrtaceae
Weed, Naturalised, Native Weed, Introduced, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed
Spotted gum occurs naturally in coastal areas of NSW and Qld extending inland for about 400km
west of Maryborough. There is a small stand north west of Orbost in eastern Victoria. It is a tall
straight tree up to 35-45 m tall and is a valuable timber species. In NSW it is a valuable source of
winter nectar for commercial apiarists.
It has been planted in southern Western Australia where it has become naturalised in Banksia and
Tuart woodlands from Perth to Busselton. In Kings Park, Perth, Spotted gum has become a serious
weed invading Banksia woodland and killing the understorey. Spotted gum is spread by seed.
An alternative species for cultivation in southern Western Australia is Tuart, Eucalyptus

gomphocephela.
References 1,10,11
144 WWF-Australia
SWEET PITTOSPORUM (WA-7)
Pittosporaceae
Native to NSW
Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised Garden Weed, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed, Cultivation
Escape
Sweet pittosporum has many common names including Victorian box, Mock orange, Australian
cheesewood, New Zealand daphne, Victorian laurel and Wild coffee
Sweet pittosporum is a tall shrub or small tree growing to a height of 12m and spread of 6m. It is
native to wet forests in coastal areas between the Great Dividing Range and the sea from southeastern
Victoria to southern Queensland. It has shiny dark green oval leaves with wavy edges which give it its
specific name. Creamy white sweetly-scented flowers are followed by clusters of orange fleshy fruit
about 13mm long. The fruits are attractive to birds.
Sweet pittosporum is now a serious weed problem outside its natural range in Victoria, South
Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia. It is present on King, Lord Howe and Norfolk islands and
many countries overseas including Jamaica, the Azores and South Africa. It is already a serious weed
in the Sydney area and NSW mid-north coast.
Spread of Sweet pittosporum has been encouraged by horticultural advocates extolling its hardiness
and sweet perfume and by a range of fruit eating native and exotic birds.
Sweet pittosporum has impacts on natural environments through shading, competition and changes in
soil nutrients. By invading native bushland it has removed fire-adapted species and changed fuel
loads, even though it is fire- sensitive.
References 1,4,5,
WWF-Australia 145
SYDNEY GOLDEN WATTLE (WA-8)

Acacia longifolia
Fabaceae
Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised, Native Weed, Introduced, Environmental Weed, Garden Escape,
Cultivation Escape
Sydney golden wattle, which is also known as Sallow, wattle, Long leaved wattle and Golden rods, is
a tall, dense shrub or small spreading tree native to NSW, Vic., Tas. and SA. It is fast growing and
adaptable to a wide range of situations but requires good drainage.
The sweet scented flowers attract a range of insects which attract birds who feed on them.
Two distinct forms have been introduced to Western Australia. Subspecies longifolia which has bright
green linear 'leaves' and straight pods and subspecies sophorae which has thicker, shorter and
sometimes fleshy 'leaves' and coiled or contorted pods. Propagation is by seed which may lie dormant
in the soil for many years. Subspecies sophorae has been recommended as an excellent screen plant,
for beach plantings and for stabilising dunes.
Acacia longifolia has become a weed in South Africa.
Sydney golden wattle is a garden escape which grows on roadsides, creeklines, swamps and bushland
from Perth to Manypeaks, northeast of Albany.
Local Western Australian species of Acacia are recommended as alternatives to Sydney Golden
Wattle.
References 1,4,10,11
146 WWF-Australia
WATSONIA (WA-9)
Watsonia spp.
Iridaceae
Naturalised, Environmental Weed, Garden Escape,
Watsonia has been cultivated in Australia for more than 150 years being included in nursery
catalogues in Victoria in the 1850s. Six species of Watsonia have been recorded as naturalised in
conservation reserves and state forests in Western Australia including Kings Park. They are all
believed to be garden escapes. Because they are of garden origin it is often difficult to determine the
exact species.
Watsonia aletroides was first recorded as naturalised in Western Australia in 1981and in Victoria in
1989. Watsonia bulbillifera is a serious weed in the wetter south coast and south-west of Western
Australia where it colonises roadsides. Watsonia marginata, which has open pale lilac flowers, occurs
around old settlements from the Darling Range to Albany.
Watsonia is a sun-loving herbaceous perennial which holds its flowers above the foliage. It was
introduced as an ornamental and propagated for its hardiness and bright flowers. Up to three corms
are produced alongside the main corm each year and cormlets are produced in the axils of the leaves.
The corms can remain dormant for many years when dry and can be shipped easily by post. Watsonia
may also be raised from seed.
References 1,6,7,10,11,13
WEEPING WHITE BROOM (WA-10)

Retama raetum
Fabaceae
Native to northern Africa and western Sahara, Sicily and the Middle East.
Weed, Naturalised, Introduced, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed.

Weeping white broom is on the Alert List for Environmental Weeds, which contains 28 species of
non-native plants that threaten biodiversity and the environment.
Weeping white broom is a graceful shrub to about 3m tall with downy young foliage on long slender
branches. It has small white flowers in spring followed by pea-like pods containing one or two
kidney-shaped seeds. A single plant may produces thousands of seeds.
It has been used for sand stabilisation in southern Spain and Morocco and is weedy in California and
Oregon in the United States of America.
White weeping broom was introduced to Australia as an ornamental and first recorded in 1841 in
South Australia. It does not appear to have been promoted or may have been included with other
brooms in the genus Genista. In Australia, Weeping white broom has become naturalised along road
WWF-Australia 147
verges and wasteland in Perth and in scrub and woodland on sandy soils on Eyre and Yorke
Peninsulas in South Australia. It has been nominated as one of the top ten
most invasive garden plants in southern Western Australia.
Seed may lie dormant in the soil for many years, germinating after fire. It is readily propagated from
seed and widely available in the nursery trade where it is often sold as Retama monophylla, Retama
monosperma or Genista alba.
An alternative to White weeping broom is the Australian native broom, Viminaria juncea, which has
perfumed orange flowers in spring. It occurs in all states but not the Northern Territory, usually in
swampy ground, so it prefers damp conditions.
References 1,2,3,4,12
148 WWF-Australia
References
London.


Conference Proceedings. Institute for Science and Technology Policy, Murdoch University, Perth.
WWF-Australia 149
Australian Capital Territory
BLACK LOCUST (ACT-1)
Robinia pseudoacacia
Fabaceae
Native to North America
Weed, Sleeper Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised, Introduced garden Escape, Environmental Weed,
Cultivation Escape, Alien Escape
Also known as False acacia, Locust tree, Yellow locust, Robinia
Robinia is a small genus of about twenty species of trees and large shrubs usually with spines on the
branches. Leaves have many leaflets giving a fine tracery when viewed upwards. Sweetly perfumed,
white pea-like flowers borne in tresses are followed by small brown pods with several seeds.
Black locust produces root suckers when the roots are disturbed and dense clumps may develop
crowding out other plants. It was often planted around homesteads and stockyards and sometimes the
dense thicket is the living reminder of former farming ventures.
Although native to North America it has become naturalised in Europe forming thickets in disturbed
land along roadsides and railways and reducing the view of the surrounding countryside for travellers.
It has transformed grassland into open woodland in parts of Germany.
The characteristics which make it weedy have been used to advantage in erosion control work in
Hungary. The roots also fix nitrogen in the soil.
Black locust is naturalised in WA, SA, Victoria, NSW and Queensland. It was sometimes planted in
Canberra last century as a street tree and is a scattered weed in the ACT. It is still available in
nurseries although 'mop top' cultivars are now more popular for small gardens. It is still used as the
rootstock however and the problem of suckering has been reduced but not solved.
150 WWF-Australia
BROOM (ACT-2)
Cytisus spp.
Fabaceae
Both Cytisus and Genista have the same common name and are similar in appearance. The genus
Cytisus contains 33 species of evergreen or deciduous shrubs or small trees without thorns. Scotch
broom and its different forms are the most commonly planted species. It is a shrub or small tree
growing to 3m tall. The small leaves are shed during summer. Flowers are pea-shaped, of various
colours and borne prolifically. Fruits are flattened pods which split on hot days and expel the seeds
which germinate freely.
Scotch broom is a naturalised weed in New Zealand, Hawaii, Iran, India, South Africa and the United
States of America.
In Australia it is one of 49 naturalised non-native species which are having a direct impact on rare and
threatened species. It is naturalised in the ACT, NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania where
it competes with native shrubs and other understorey vegetation. It is highly flammable and can
change the fire regime of an area.
Scotch broom is believed to have been introduced as an ornamental early in the 19th century and was
listed in several Victorian nursery catalogues in the 1860s.
It is regarded as weedy under appropriate legislation in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.
All species of Cytisus are declared in the ACT which means a control plan must be developed.
WWF-Australia 151
BROOM (ACT-3)
Genista spp.
Fabaceae
Native to Europe, Mediterranean to Western Asia
Weed, Naturalised, Environmental Weed
Both genera Cytisus and Genista are similar in appearance and have the same common name. Genista
contains 90 species of shrubs or small trees often deciduous or appearing evergreen due to green
flattened branches. They are sometimes spiny. Pea-like yellow flowers are carried in dense heads.
Seeds which are poisonous are borne in pods. The seeds may live for years in the soil germinating
densely after fire.
One of the most common species is Montpellier broom, Genista monspessulana, an evergreen shrub to
about 3000m high. Each pod contains about six black seeds which are shed explosively over one or
two metres from the parent plant. Montpellier broom has an extensive root system which enables it to
withstand drought.
Montpellier broom is believed to have been introduced to Australia in the 19th century and has since
become naturalised in NSW, Victoria, south west Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania
and the ACT where it occurs along roadsides and in the hills behind Canberra.
Brooms are still sold in nurseries and markets.
152 WWF-Australia
COTONEASTER (ACT-4)
Cotoneaster spp.
Rosaceae
Native to Europe, North Africa, East Asia, Siberia and Himalaya
Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed
Cotoneaster is a large genus of more than 70 species of evergreen and deciduous shrubs and small
trees without spines. Leaves are alternate and simple. Flowers are small white or rarely light pink and
followed by small red or black fruits each with several seeds.
Cotoneasters are popular garden plants grown for the bright fruits which attract birds and are attractive
in winter in cold climates. Many species are suitable for hedges and were commonly grown in the
ACT, NSW and Victoria last century when hedges were popular. Several species were listed in
nursery catalogues in Victoria in the 1860s.
About seven species are recorded as naturalised and 19 species are described in Gardening Australia's
'Flora' 2003.
Spread is by birds and in dumped garden waste. Cotoneasters are sold in many nurseries, although by
recent agreement major nurseries in the ACT have agreed not to sell some species. They are still
brought into the ACT for sale at markets.
References: 1,3,15
WWF-Australia 153
FIRETHORN (ACT-5)
Pyracantha spp.
Rosaceae
Native to South east Europe and China.
Pyracantha is a genus of about seven species of thorny evergreen shrubs resembling Cotoneaster.
Leaves are simple with smooth or serrated margins. White flowers are followed by orange or red
berries which have appeal in winter and are also attractive to birds. Pyracantha is very hardy and was
often included as the shrub layer in windbreaks on the Southern Tablelands of NSW and in the ACT.
It was also used for hedges.
Five species of Pyracantha have been recorded as weeds in the ACT. The most widespread is
Pyracantha angustifolia , native to South West China, which has orange berries and forms dense
thickets competing with native plants and providing cover for rabbits. It is long-lived and also
naturalised in Queensland, NSW and Victoria.
A mature bush can produce one million seeds each year and by common consent nurseries in the ACT
have agreed not to sell Pyracantha angustifolia . Nevertheless it has recently been offered for sale as
bonsai which could eventually become garden refuse.
Pyracantha angustifolia is a major food source for the Pied Currawong and helps to sustain numbers
of this bird through winter. Currawongs prey on small native birds and Firethorn is thus part of a food
chain which has adverse effects on biodiversity.
154 WWF-Australia
JAPANESE HONEYSUCKLE (ACT-6)
Lonicera japonica
Caprifoliaceae
Native to east Asia
Weed, Quarantine Weed, Naturalised, Introduced, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed, Cultivation
Escape
Also known as Chinese honeysuckle.
Japanese honeysuckle is a woody, twining evergreen climber growing up to 10m tall where it can
scramble over other plants and buildings. Leaves are light green about 30 to 70mm long. Branches are
hairy when young and will root wherever they touch the ground. Yellow-white flowers are borne in
pairs near branch tips. They are sweetly scented as the common name suggests and are often grown
for this feature. Seeds are a shiny black berry about 2mm diameter which is poisonous to humans but
eaten by birds who spread them widely.
taproot before the shoots. Once established and entwined in other plants it is very difficult to remove.
It is naturalised in all states and the ACT where it occurs in woodland and riverine areas near
Canberra. It is sold at markets as it is easy to propagate.
WWF-Australia 155
LOMBARDY POPLAR (ACT-7)

Populus nigra cv. 'Italica'
Salicaceae
Native to Italy
Lombardy poplar is an upright form of Populus nigra growing to 25 m in height. It has triangular-
shaped dark green leaves which turn a brilliant yellow in late autumn. Poplars have separate male and
female trees and the ones first introduced to the ACT were male. They do not produce seed but
reproduce by suckers which can form dense copses.
Lombardy poplar has been widely planted as an ornamental tree in moist sites and beside streams in
the ACT. The most significant planting of four trees is in the courtyards of the Senate and the House
of Representatives in Old Parliament House. The trees were planted in 1926 but replaced with young
trees of the same stock in the late 1900s when the original trees became unsafe.
Lombardy poplar is a weed in South Africa and has formed dense suckering stands in wetlands near
Perth. It is one of 49 non-native naturalised species in the Australian flora having a direct impact on
rare and threatened species.
It is available in nurseries.
OLIVE (ACT-8)
Olea europaea
Oleaceae
Olive is believed to be native to the Mediterranean but because it has been grown there for thousands
of years it is impossible to determine precisely where it originated. It was introduced to Australia
initially in 1805 and there have been many importations since. It was listed in many Victorian nursery
catalogues from the mid 1850s.
Olive is a long-lived evergreen tree 5-10 m tall with a dense rounded crown. Small white flowers are
followed by fleshy fruits containing a single hard seed. Dispersal of seeds is by birds and many
seedlings appear near old established trees where grazing is limited or absent.
Olive is now naturalised in South Australia, NSW, Victoria and Western Australia. It is a proclaimed
plant in South Australia when not planted and maintained for domestic or commercial use.
To date it is an occasional weed in Canberra however with the establishment of olive plantations it is
almost certain to become a major weed in the future.
References 1,6,8
156 WWF-Australia
RADIATA PINE (ACT-9)
Pinus radiata
Pinaceae
Native to coastal California
Also known as Monterey pine and Insignis pine after an a earlier botanical name
Radiata pine is a tall evergreen conifer growing up to 50m tall in high quality plantation areas. The
form of the tree in closely spaced plantations is narrow while open grown trees become spreading.
Radiata pine bears separate male and female flowers on the same tree with the female flowers
developing into woody cones with large numbers of winged seeds. Viable seed may remain in the
cones for several years and are often shed abundantly after fire which kills the parent tree.
In the rush to reduce dependence on imports of softwood timber many thousands of hectares of
unalienated native bushland were cleared and planted with Radiata pine. The extent of the plantation
was often determined by adjacent land ownership and steepness of terrain . This meant that plantations
often have a common border with conservation reserves and other native bushland. By 2003 there
were over 716,500 ha of Radiata pine in Australia.
A target of 16,000 ha was set for the ACT and this had almost been reached when major bushfires in
2001 and 2003 destroyed over 11,000 ha. A decision has been made to replant up to 7000 ha with
Pinus radiata together with areas of native vegetation. The problem of weediness will reappear when
the plantations reach seeding age.
Pines have winged seeds which has aid their dispersal into bushland where they compete with native
species. In practical terms it may never be possible to eliminate this dispersal while the seed source
remains. Genetic modification to produce sterile pines which put more energy into wood production
than reproduction appears to be the only solution to invading pines however this scientific
achievement is a long way off.
Reference: 1
WWF-Australia 157
WHITE POPLAR (ACT-10)
Populus alba
Salicaceae
Native to Eurasia
Escape
Also known as Silver leaved poplar, and Silver poplar
White poplar is a rounded broad-leaved deciduous tree growing up to 12 m tall. It is distinguished by

the blue grey leaves with white undersides and white bark. Leaves turn brilliant yellow in autumn and
it is often grown for this feature. It has male and female flowers on separate trees a have been
produced. After flowering in October the unfertilised female flowers become white wind borne 'fluff'
which spreads widely causing respiratory irritation to some people.
White poplar may be mistaken for Silver birch.
White poplar spreads by suckers which may from dense thickets in gullies and along streams.
Suckering is stimulated by soil disturbance damaging roots.
White poplar is an environmental weed in South Africa. In Western Australia it has formed dense
stands in disturbed wetlands from Perth to Albany and it is considered a threat to riparian vegetation in
Victoria. It has spread along the Murrumbidgee River and in wet areas in rural parts of the ACT. It is
still sold in nurseries.
References: 1,2,15
158 WWF-Australia
References
London.


Australia. In (Burke, G. ed) Invasive Weeds and Regenerating Ecosystems in Western Australia,1995
16 Groves, R. H. et al. (2003). Weed Categories for Natural and Agricultural Ecosystem
WWF-Australia 159
NT TOP END
AFRICAN TULIP (NT TE-1)
Spathodea campanulata
Bignoniaceae
Native to tropical West Africa
A tree up to 20m tall with an open crown and dense dark green foliage. When mature the trunk
develops characteristic buttresses. Leaves are composed of several dark green leaflets which are pale
on the underside. Tight clusters of downy buds open to reveal brilliant flame-scarlet cup-shaped
blooms. The woody fruit is poisonous.
African tulip is grown widely in tropical and sub-tropical areas for its spectacular flowers.
References: 1,3,24
CANDLE BUSH (NT TE-2)
Senna alata
Fabaceae
Also known as Ringworm shrub, Christmas candle, Emperor's candlesticks
Candle bush is an evergreen shrub up to 4m tall. It has short pithy stems and leaves with 8-11 pairs of
large, oblong leaflets. The bright yellow flowers are followed by winged pods which can be spread by
animals and humans.
As the alternative common name suggests, it is used as a treatment for ringworm.
Candle bush is a weed in many tropical countries and was introduced to Darwin as an ornamental
garden plant. It is now naturalised in the Northern Territory particularly in areas with a high water
table. It is also naturalised in Queensland and Western Australia. It has a tough rootstock and plants
sucker when damaged. It is grown as a garden and indoor plant.
160 WWF-Australia
CLUMPING FISHTAIL PALM (NT TE-3)
Caryotis mitis
Arecaceae
Native from India to the Philippines and the island of Java in Indonesia
Weed, Sleeper Weed, Naturalised, Introduced, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed
A long-lived palm which grows to 5m tall outdoors but is shorter when grown as an indoor plant. It is
distinguished by the leaflets which have a characteristic fishtail shape.
The flowers are cream and produce abundant seeds containing stinging crystals of oxalic acid which
are toxic when eaten. Contact with the skin may result in severe chemical burns.
The seeds are spread by birds. Fishtail palm forms dense clumps from suckers in rainforest and vine
thickets suppressing native vegetation. It is also spread by humans and is available in nurseries.
References: 1,23
GOLDEN SHOWER (NT TE-4)
Cassia fistula
Fabaceae
Native to south-east Asia
Golden shower is a semi-deciduous tree up to 8m tall and of similar width. It has large leaves up to
450mm long with many leaflets. Sweetly perfumed flowers are pea-shaped and borne in large golden
sprays. Flowers develop into brown seed pods.
It is commonly used as a garden plant in Darwin and Katherine but rarely survives more than 15 years
due to borers. It is spread by seeds which are produced prolifically. In Western Australia it has
escaped on Koolan Island and in the King Leopold Range.
WWF-Australia 161
NEEM (NT-TE-5)
Azadarichta indica
Meliaceae
Native to Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar
Weed, Naturalised, Introduced, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed
Neem has been cultivated for thousands of years for its medicinal properties. Soaps, toothpaste and
medicines are derived from the tree's leaves, bark, flowers, sap and seed kernels.
It is a tree to 15m tall with red-green pungent leaves composed of up to 12 leaflets. Flowers are white
and honey-scented, borne in sprays up to 300mm long. The yellow fruit, about 15mm long with a
single seed, is attractive to birds which spread it over a wide area. Humans also spread Neem as an
ornamental shade tree.
Neem was planted around settlements and towns in the Northern Territory and is now naturalised
around Darwin and Katherine with large stands in the Victoria River district. It is also naturalised in
Queensland and Western Australia.
Neem was promoted for plantations in northern Australia in the 1970s and 1980s but these have now
reached fruiting stage, thereby presenting major potential for spread. It is available in nurseries.
POINCIANA (NT TE-6)
Delonix regia
Fabaceae
Poinciana is a spreading deciduous tree up to 15m tall. It has twice-divided leaves with many pairs of
leaflets. Red, yellow and white flamboyant flowers are followed by brown flattened pods containing
up to 40 seeds. Seeds are shed and germinate near the parent plant, thus forming dense thickets if
untended.
Poinciana is widely planted as a shade tree in streets, parks and home gardens and has become
naturalised in Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory near Darwin, Cobourg
Peninsula and the Daly River.
References: 1,2,23
162 WWF-Australia
RUBBER VINE (NT TE-7)
Cryptostegia grandiflora
Asclepiadaceae
Native to South Africa and Madagascar
Weed
Rubber vine is a vigorous climber with opposite, thick, leathery leaves and purple leaf stalks which
exude a milky sap when damaged. The flowers are pink to white, trumpet-shaped bells. The fruit
consists of two pods set at right angles to the stalk. Seeds have tufts of milky white hairs and are
dispersed by wind and water.
It is closely related to Cryptostegia madagascariensis var. madagascariensis which is planted around

Darwin and has established small populations on Melville Island
Rubber vine was first planted in gardens of mining towns in northern Queensland in the late 1860s and
by 1917 was recognised as a weed around Charters Towers, Georgetown and Rockhampton. By 1991
it had infested over 700,000ha of tropical and sub-tropical Queensland and is now found over 20 per
cent of the state.
It is declared noxious in Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory and is recognised
as one of the 20 Weeds of National Significance (WONS).
References: 1,8,23
SNAKEWEEDS (NT TE-8)

Stachytarpheta spp.
Verbenaceae
Native to Central and South America, South-east Asia and the Pacific
Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised, Quarantine Weed
Stachytarpheta is a genus of about 65 species of shrubs to 2m tall with a woody rootstock. The stems
tend to be square in cross section. Leaves are opposite with toothed margins. Blue, white and pink
flowers are borne year-round which adds to their popularity as garden plants. Flowers borne on stiff
spikes are followed by seeds which are often spread in refuse and rainwater.
There are three species with similar weedy characteristics naturalised in the Northern Territory. They
are declared noxious outside town areas. They are also naturalised in WA and Queensland.
Snakeweeds invade roadsides, creek lines and also monsoon vine forests where soil has been disturbed
by pigs and buffalo. They are a contaminant in hay and pasture seeds and will invade newly sown or
bared pastures. They are also spread from garden to garden by humans.
References: 1,8,23
WWF-Australia 163
WHITE TEAK (NT TE-9)

Gmelina arborea
Verbenaceae
Native to tropical moist forests of India, Myanmar

and Sri Lanka, to southern China
A deciduous tree 12-30m tall with light grey to brown bark initially smooth but becoming rough with
age. The large leaves are up to 25cm long. They are borne opposite, are rounded and velvety beneath
with yellow-brown hairs. The leafstalk is long, up to 12cm and hairy. The bright orange-yellow
flowers are also densely hairy and borne on short stalks.
Fruits are gg-shaped about 2-2.5cm long becoming orange-yellow in colour. Each fruit has an egg-
shaped stone with 1-4 seeds. Rabbits and deer eat the fruits and disperse the seeds.
White teak is grown widely in the tropics for timber and firewood. It has been planted extensively in
Brazil for pulpwood and in Gambia for fuel and honey. It is often planted as an ornamental.
White teak is in the same family as Lantana. It casts a dense shade which may inhibit the growth of
other species.
References: 23,25
YELLOW BELLS (NT TE-10)

Tecoma stans
Bignoniaceae
Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised, Introduced, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed
Yellow bells is a shrub or small tree up to 10 m tall which is widely grown in tropical gardens for its
heads of bright yellow trumpet flowers. The leaves consist of 3-6 pairs of bright green leaflets paler on
the undersides. The fruits are a long capsule containing winged seeds which are spread by wind.
Yellow bells is recorded as a weed in Argentina, Nicaragua and the United States of America. It is
naturalised in Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
References: 1,2,23
164 WWF-Australia
References
London.


Australia. In (Burke, G. ed) Invasive Weeds and Regenerating Ecosystems in Western Australia. 1995
Conference Proceedings. Institute for Science and Technology Policy, Murdoch University, Perth.
12a CRC for Australian Weed Management (2003). 'Equisetum spp.', Weed Management Guide:
12b CRC for Australian Weed Management (2003). 'Retama raetam', Weed Management Guide:
WWF-Australia 165

east Queensland. Plant Protection Quarterly 17(1): .
22 Mitchell, A. (2004) Personal communication
23 Smith, N.M.(2003). Weeds of the Wet/Dry tropics of Australia. Environment Centre of the
Northern Territory, Darwin.
24 Miller, H. and Ratcliffe, R. (1990). Top Plants for Tropical Gardens. Australian Government
Publishing Service, Canberra.
25 Duke, J.A. (1983). Handbook of Energy Crops. Unpublished
166 WWF-Australia
NT ARID ZONE
AMERICAN COTTON PALM (NT AR-1)
Washingtonia filifera
Arecaceae
Native to south-western North America
American cotton palm is a tall distinctive palm growing to 16m tall. It has a fat grey trunk and
spreading crown of grey-green fan shaped leaves. It is highly adaptable, growing in a range of
climates and soil types and drought tolerant when fully established.
Planted as a street and park tree, it fruits readily and seeds germinate well.
References: 1,20
COUCH GRASS (NT AR-2)
Cynodon dactylon
Poaceae
Native to tropical Africa, Australia
Weed, Sleeper Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised, Introduced, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed,
Casual Alien
Other common names include Bermuda grass, Devil's grass, Florida grass, Twitch grass
Couch grass is a low-growing perennial with grey-green leaves and runners which root readily. It
spreads rapidly by seed and runners and even small fragments will root if dumped with garden refuse.
It is regarded as an Australian native and is widely planted as a lawn grass. It occurs in all states and
territories. It invades wetlands and river edges in southern Western Australia.
References: 1,10,15
WWF-Australia 167
FOUNTAIN GRASS (NT AR-3)

Pennisetum setaceum
Poaceae
Fountain grass is a densely tufted perennial growing to 900mm. The flowerhead is a long feathery
spike which makes it attractive for garden cultivation. It spreads by seed, transported by wind and
water or carried on clothing and in dumped garden waste.
It has been listed as a weed in Hawaii, the United States and South Africa. It has become naturalised in
the Northern Territory, Queensland, NSW, Western Australia and South Australia particularly on Eyre
Peninsula. It is still sold as an ornamental.
References: 1,2
HIMALAYAN RAINTREE (NT AR-4)
Dalbergia sissoo
Fabaceae
Native to India
Weed, Quarantine Weed, Noxious Weed, Naturalised, Garden Escape, Environmental Weed,
Cultivation Escape
Himalayan rain tree is a tall deciduous tree growing up to 20m. The leaves consist of 3-7 rounded
leaflets. It has cream pea-shaped flowers which develop into pods up to 200mm long. It has a long
taproot and numerous surface roots which produce suckers.
Himalayan rain tree spreads mainly by vigorous suckers.
It is naturalised in Queensland and is declared noxious in the Northern Territory where it has
naturalised around Darwin. It occurs on sands and gravel watercourses in other parts of the Territory.
References: 1,2,8
168 WWF-Australia
HYBRID MOTHER OF MILLIONS (NT AR-5)

Bryophyllum daigremontianum x B. tubiflorum
= Bryophyllum daigremontianum x B. delagoense cv. 'Houghtonii'
Crassulaceae
Naturalised
This plant is spread by plantlets carried by water in streams and rivers and by plantlets attached to
animals and in mud. Virtually no seed is produced.
It is widespread in south-east Queensland but not as common as B. delagoense. It is locally common

in northern NSW where it grows near houses or where dumped as garden waste. It is also spreading
along watercourses. Plants, particularly the flowers, are poisonous to stock.
References: 1,19,20
LEAD TREE (NT AR-6)
Leucaena leucocephala ssp. glabrata
Mimosaceae
Native to Mexico
Naturalised
Also known as Coffee bush
Lead tree grows to about 6m and has been planted extensively throughout the tropical world to provide
cattle fodder, shade and firewood. It has leaves composed of many leaflets, creamy-yellow rounded
flowers and flattened seed pods. Propagation is from seed.
It is valued as a high protein tree in the Northern Territory where it is grown for use in feedlots. It has
become naturalised across northern Australia from the Kimberley to coastal Queensland. In the west it
extends south from the Pilbara to Exmouth and in the east to northern NSW.
It has formed dense thickets along some creek lines in North Queensland and may have suppressed
regeneration of native species.
References: 1,2,10
WWF-Australia 169
MAYNE'S PEST (NT AR-7)
Verbena aristigera
= Verbena tenuisecta
Verbenaceae
Weed, Quarantine Weed, Naturalised, Introduced, Cultivation Escape
Also known as Moss verbena
Mayne's pest is a small annual or perennial herb growing to 500mm. It has a prostrate sprawling habit.
The aromatic stems are square in cross-section. The leaves have three narrow, toothed leaflets. The
showy flowers are borne above the foliage and coloured mauve, purple, blue or white.
References: 1,20
PEPPER TREE (NT AR-8)
Schinus areira
Native to northern South America to Mexico
Other common names Californian pepper tree, Peppercorn tree, Peruvian mastic tree
flowers on separate plants. Flowers on the female trees develop into bright red berries with a hard
seed which germinates best when passed through the guts of birds. Many seeds are stored in the soil.
Pepper tree is widely planted in homestead gardens and stockyards in dry areas of NSW, Victoria,
South Australia and the Northern Territory. It has invaded lowland grassland, woodland and dry
forest. It has been reported as spreading in riparian vegetation near Warwick in South-east
Queensland and in old settlements in the Western Australian Goldfields region. It is native to South
America and has been planted as a street tree in southern Europe.
Pepper tree was listed for sale in nursery catalogues in Victoria in the l870s and l880s and is still
References: 1,6,14
170 WWF-Australia
UMBRELLA SEDGE (NT AR-9)
Cyperus involucratus
Cyperaceae
Native to Africa
Weed, Naturalised, Introduced, Environmental Weed, Garden Escape, Cultivation Escape
Cyperus is a large genus of about 600 species of annual and perennial grass-like herbs occurring
throughout the world except for very cold regions. There are about 130 species native to Australia.
Umbrella sedge stems are triangular in cross section and up to one metre tall. The flowerhead is
umbrella-like and the plant is grown for this feature. It will grow on creek banks and in water up to
400mm deep. Once established it is very persistent.
References: 1,3,10
WHITE CEDAR (NT AR-10)
Melia azedarach
Meliaceae
Native to south-east Asia and northern Australia
Escape, Casual Alien
Other common names include Chinaberry, Cape lilac, Indian bead tree, Persian lilac.
White cedar is a spreading deciduous tree growing to 15m tall with leaves composed of many leaflets
20-50mm long. It produces abundant sprays of fragrant lilac flowers followed by many hard yellow
berries 10-20mm long. These are poisonous to children and stock but eaten and distributed by birds.
Although native to the Kimberley it is naturalised and spreading in wasteland near Perth. It is widely
used as a street and park tree in western NSW and western Queensland.
References: 1,10,19
WWF-Australia 171
References
London.
pittosporum) on plant biodiversity. Plant Protection Quarterly 16(3):117-121.


Australia. In Burke, G. (ed) Invasive Weeds and Regenerating Ecosystems in Western Australia. 1995
Conference proceedings. Institute for Science and Technology Policy, Murdoch University, Perth.
12a CRC for Australian Weed Management (2003). 'Equisetum spp.', Weed Management Guide:
12b CRC for Australian Weed Management (2003). 'Retama raetam', Weed Management Guide:
Associates-Science Publishers, Mt Waverley, Victoria.
172 WWF-Australia

east Queensland. Plant Protection Quarterly 17(1): .
22 Mitchell, A. (2004) Personal communication
23 Smith, N.M.(2003). Weeds of the Wet/Dry tropics of Australia. Environment Centre of the
Northern Territory, Darwin.
24 Miller, H. and Ratcliffe, R. (1990). Top Plants for Tropical Gardens. Australian Government
Publishing Service, Canberra.
25 Rudman,T. (2004). Personal communication
26 Cooke, D. (2004). Personal communication
27 Hosking, J. R. (2004). Personal communication
28 Wilson, C. (2004). Personal communication
29 http://www.agric.nsw.gov.au/weeds
WWF-Australia 173

Jumping The Garden Fence

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Jumping The Garden Fence

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Jumping the Garden

A CSIRO report for WWF-Australia by

© WWF-Australia 2005. All Rights Reserved.

Authors: Richard Groves, Robert Boden and Mark Lonsdale

First published in February 2005

For bibliographic purposes this paper should be cited as:

World Wide Fund for Nature ABN: 57 001 594 074

About the Authors

Other roles include:

• Member, Australian Weeds Committee 1977-2000.

As a consultant Robert has:

He also has an international reputation in the area:

Chapter 2 – Stages and pathways for invasion 12

Chapter 3 - Two hundred plus years of plant invasions in Australia 16

Chapter 4 – Negative impacts of invasive garden plants: 20

Chapter 5 – The current situation concerning the availability for sale by 35

Chapter 6 – Recommendations for better management of sale of invasive 72

Chapter 7 – Concluding discussion 74

Appendix 1. National list of invasive and potentially invasive garden plants 79

15 The ten most serious invasive garden plants currently available 58

Most of these weeds were introduced for ornamental horticulture

Most environmental and agricultural weeds are invasive garden

Environment: 28 (57%) of the 49 naturalised non-native species that impact on rare or

• 393 (54%) of 720 naturalised invasive garden plants

Recommendations for the future

Recomendation 3. Many other invasive garden plants nominated by individual

Recommendation 4. Amendments or new regulations to the current Environment

Recommendation 5. Voluntary associations between nursery groups and weed

Recommendation 6. Bushland areas adjoining peri-urban settlements around

Recommendation 7. Increased resources should be provided to advance the

Context and key issues

Key definitions of terms and categories

Chapter 2. Stages and Pathways for Invasion

The invasion process

Transition rates through the stages

Different categories of weeds

Numbers in the different categories

DECLARED/ GARDEN ALERT ROTAP WONS NAQS

Weed Status by Industry Sector

Table 1. Weed status by industry sector of exotic plant species introduced to

Pasture (Poaceae) 490 150 31 180 37 82 17 7 1 116 24 124 25

ForestryG 633 149 24 226 36 35 6 30 5 103 16 108 17

Gardening 25 360 1 831 7 2 520 10 660 3 273 1 1 279 5 1 366 5

AccidentalH 207 186 90 185 99 84 45 24 13 121 65 141 76

Total IntroducedJ 27 009 2 779 10 3 480 13 954 4 343 1 1 765 7 1 953 7

Chapter 3. Two Hundred Years Plus of Plant

Grand Total 904

Figure 3. Means of introduction of those plant species naturalising in Australia

Figure 4. Rates of naturalisation of accidental, horticultural, and agricultural plant

Box 1: Canberra’s hedges – a case study of ornamentals emerging as weeds

Chapter 4. Negative Impacts of Invasive Garden

(a) IMPACTS ON AUSTRALIAN BIODIVERSITY

1. Discovery and scientific description of the species

Threat No. presumed extinct spp. No. endangered spp.

Grazing and agriculture 77 163 110

Industry & urban development 3 20 21

Endangerment of native plant species by a weed – two examples

1. An orchid (Pterostylis arenicola) endangered by Bridal creeper (Asparagus asparagoides)

Figure 5. Numbers of Sand-hill greenhood (Pterostylis arenicolor) with and without

2. A native shrub (Pimelea spicata) also endangered by Bridal creeper (Asparagus

Changes in species groups in a natural ecosystem by a weed – two

1. Tropical wetlands and Mimosa pigra