Plant biosecurity is not just about protecting our country, state, regions and vineyards from pests and diseases, but it’s also about preventing weeds entering and spreading.
According to PIRSA’s March 2019 Biosecurity News, we must keep watch for weeds. In particular, three new weeds have been spotted in SA backyards that have the potential to devastate our agricultural and native ecosystems if they escape and spread. These weeds are illegal to grow, distribute or sell in SA and legally must be reported.
These weeds are:
- Serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) – found in a Naracoorte garden and considered Australia’s worst pasture weed, it also dominates native grasslands. It’s estimated this weed would cost $50 million annually in lost production and control costs. It’s also a fire hazard.
- Mexican feathergrass (Nassella tenuissima) – found in gardens in Aldinga, Clarendon, Hayborough and Port Elliott, the weed has similar impacts to serrated tussock.
- Horsetails (Equisetum spp.) – found in a number of gardens in Adelaide, it is toxic to livestock and highly invasive.
If you think you may have found one of these plants, contact your local Natural Resources office or Biosecurity SA on (08) 8303 9620, who can help remove and dispose of the plants.