Limnocharis flava. Limnocharis presents a serious agricultural and biodiversity threat to northern Australia. To date infestations detected in northern Australia have included plants located in backyard ponds, ornamental lakes, farm drains and in natural waterways.
Biosecurity Queensland officers will be seeking out the exotic weed Limnocharis this month as they work towards removing every last plant in Australia.
Boat and foot surveillance will be conducted by Biosecurity Queensland officers along the Ross River to locate the weed.
The aquatic weed can grow up to one metre in height and produces small cup-shaped yellow flowers every two months.
It also traps sediment and slows water flow which provides a habitat for mosquitoes.
Young plants appear similar to water hyacinth, with the leaf blade becoming broader in mature plants.
Limnocharis has the ability to produce nearly 1,000 seeds every time it flowers and these either make the infestation worse, or they simply float away to create a new problem elsewhere.
Limnocharis was first detected in Townsville's Ross River in early 2012.
There have been 30 known Limnocharis infestations recorded in North Queensland, with almost half now officially eradicated.
It was first found in Australia in 2001, with infestations so far being limited to North Queensland between Townsville and Mossman.
The weed is believed to have been introduced by gardeners who were unaware of the severe damage caused by Limnocharis in Asia to rice paddies, irrigation channels and wetlands.
Limnocharis is a Class 1 declared pest due to its invasiveness and ability to invade wetlands, rivers and dams where it can displace native plants and animals.
--------------------------------------------------------
For more information about Limnocharis there's a Pest Profile at DAFF
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.