Pest plants
Pest plants (weeds) have a significant impact on agricultural production, costing Australia over $4 billion a year and over $19 million per year in the South East region. Pest plants also have a significant impact on the environment as they compete with native vegetation, much of which is food or homes for native animals.
The South East Natural Resources Management Board aims to prevent the invasion of new weeds that threaten the region and to mitigate or eradicate many weeds currently present.
A pest management strategy for the South East region has been developed. This identifies priority weeds and their management actions.
There are three categories of weeds:
- Declared - the weed is a significant threat to agriculture, the natural environment and public health and safety.
- Priority - the weed poses a serious threat and is identified as being a priority within the region.
- Alert - the weed poses a serious threat but is not present in the region yet and has the potential to establish itself.
- Weeds of national significance (WONS) – weeds effecting on a national scale.
Declared Plant Review
The community consultation for the next phase of the SA declared plant review has begun!
Biosecurity SA, a division of Primary Industries and Region SA (PIRSA), in partnership with the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) and the eight Natural Resources Management (NRM) boards, is seeking feedback on four revised declared plant policies for existing declared plants and five draft policies for new plants proposed for declaration under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004. We want you to provide input into the revision of the Declared Plant Policies and the addition of new declared plants. Read the media release, and see the YourSAy website for information on how to be involved.
Spiny Rush versus Sea Rush - can you tell the difference?
Correct weed identification is crucial. This is an excellent example where it can be easy to accidentally remove a native plant that looks very close to an invasive weed. A poster has been developed to help landholders tell the difference which can be printed off.
Weed Spotters program
Natural Resources South East also has established a ‘Weed Spotters’ program. Weed spotters are volunteers who receive training to help identify new, early or established pest plant incursions. They are a front line defence in spotting pest plants and report any issues for immediate action. Find out more about the Weed Spotters.
Controlling pest plants
If you need assistance with pest plant control, please contact our authorised officers in your area or call 08 8735 1177.
Report a weed!
If you have found a declared weed or a new weed you are unsure of then complete this form and send it back to us.
Priority weeds in the South East region
A pest management strategy for the South East region has been developed. This identifies priority weeds and their management actions.
Common name: Aleppo pine
Scientific name: Pinus halepensis
Status: Declared. South East management action: contain spread.
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Common name: Asparagus fern
Scientific name: Asparagus aethiopicus
Status: Non-declared species. South East management action: destroy infestations.
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Common name: Bathurst burr
Scientific name: Xanthium spinosum
Status: Declared. South East management action: contain spread.
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Common name: Blackberry
Scientific name: Rubus fruticosus
Status: Declared: must be controlled. South East management action: destroy infestations.
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Common name: Boneseed
Scientific name: Chrysanthemoides monilifera
Status: Declared. South East management action: contain spread.
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Common name: Caltrop
Scientific name: Tribulus terrestris
Status: Declared. South East management action: contain spread.
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Common name: Cape tulip
Scientific name: Moraea flaccida
Status: Declared. South East management action: contain spread.
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Common name: Creeping knapweed
Scientific name: Acroptilon repens
Status: Declared. South East management action: contain spread.
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Common name: Gorse
Scientific name: Ulex europaeus
Status: Declared. South East management action: contain spread.
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Common name: Hoary cress
Scientific name: Lepidium draba
Status: Declared. South East management action: contain spread.
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Common name: Innocent weed
Scientific name: Cenchrus incertus
Status: Declared: must be controlled. South East management action: destroy infestations.
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Common name: Mexican feathergrass
Scientific name: Pennisetum macrourum
Status: Declared species. South East management action: contain spread.
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Common name: Noogoora burr
Scientific name: Xanthium strumarium
Status: Declared. South East management action: contain spread.
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Common name: Pampas grass
Scientific name: Cortaderia species
Status: Declared: must be controlled. South East management action: destroy infestations.
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Common name: Salvation Jane
Scientific name: Echium plantagineum
Status: Declared. South East management action: contain spread.
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Common name: Silverleaf nightshade
Scientific name: Solanum elaeagnifolium
Status: Declared: must be controlled. South East management action: destroy infestations.
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Common name: Three corner jack
Scientific name: Emex australis
Status: Declared. South East management action: contain spread.
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Common name: Variegated thistle
Scientific name: Silybum marianum
Status: Declared. South East management action: contain spread.
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Common name: Western Cape bridal creeper
Scientific name: Asparagus asparagoides Western Cape form
Status: Declared: must be controlled. South East management action: destroy infestations.
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Common name: Yellow burweed
Scientific name: Amsinckia calycina
Status: Declared. South East management action: contain spread.
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Alert weeds in the South East region
Over 30 species of alert weeds have been identified for the South East region. These weeds are species not yet present in the South East or present in very limited numbers, but that have the potential for large negative impacts if they were to become established in the region.
Common name: Alligator weed
Scientific name: Alternanthera philoxeroides
Status: Alert weed
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Common name: Asparagus fern
Scientific name: Asparagus scandens
Status: Alert weed
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Common name: Bridal veil
Scientific name: Asparagus declinatus
Status: Alert weed
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Common name: Broomrape
Scientific name: Orobranche ramosa
Status: Alert weed
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Common name: Calomba daisy
Scientific name: Oncosiphon suffruticosum
Status: Alert weed
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Common name: Chilean needlegrass
Scientific name: Nassella neesiana
Status: Alert weed
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Common name: Coolatai grass
Scientific name: Hyparrhenia hirta
Status: Alert weed
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Common name: Golden dodder
Scientific name: Cuscuta campestris
Status: Alert weed
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Common name: Horsetail
Scientific name: Equisetum hyemale
Status: Alert weed
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Common name: Mexican feathergrass
Scientific name: Nassella tenuissima
Status: Alert weed
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Common name: Primrose willow
Scientific name: Ludwigia peruviana
Status: Alert weed
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Common name: Salvinia
Scientific name: Salvinia molesta
Status: Alert weed
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Common name: Serrated tussock
Scientific name: Nassella trichotoma
Status: Alert weed
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Common name: Texas needlegrass
Scientific name: Nassella leucotricha
Status: Alert weed
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Common name: Water hyacinth
Scientific name: Eichhornia crassipes
Status: Alert weed
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Common name: White weeping broom
Scientific name: Retama raetam
Status: Alert weed
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