Biosecurity Queensland is encouraging residents in the Burdekin Shire to be on the lookout for the aquatic weed water mimosa (Neptunia spp) after Council officers came across an infestation in a creek south of Home Hill.
Neptunia leracea and Neptunia plenaare aquatic nitrogen fixing legumes. The release of nitrogen into water bodies can lead to increased algal blooms and increase the vigour of associated Class 2 pest plants such as water hyacinth, water lettuce and salvinia. The release of nitrogen by Neptunia spp. into water bodies affects water quality and increases water treatment costs. Water mimosa is farmed in South East Asia as a vegetable. Biosecurity Queensland encourages people report this Class 1 pest plant to help stop the establishment, prevent the spread, and to control this pest.
Biosecurity Queensland Weed and Pest Officer Lauren O’Bryan praised Council staff for their keen eye and early reporting of the Class 1 pest.
“In many Asian countries, water mimosa is a popular cooking ingredient but in the wetlands of North Queensland it poses a serious environmental, agricultural and health threat,” Ms O’Bryan said.
“It grows very rapidly into a thick, floating mat which restricts water flow.
“Water mimosa reduces water quality, hinders irrigation, creates a favourable habitat for mosquitoes, and out-competes native plant species, all contributing to the deaths of native fish and submerged water plants.
“In Queensland, there have been three recorded infestations at Logan in the south-east, Cairns and now Home Hill.
“Tropical North Queensland is an ideal habitat for this weed and we really don’t want it to become established here.
“Burdekin Shire Council and Biosecurity Queensland have conducted an initial survey and monitoring will continue where this latest infestation was found to make sure all plants are located and control methods are implemented.
“We’re asking all landholders to be aware of this potential problem and report to Biosecurity Queensland or Burdekin Shire Council any plant species in the area that they are not familiar with.”
Water mimosa is a declared Class1 plant under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002. It is an offence to introduce, keep or sell Class 1 pests without a permit.
Landholders are required by law to keep their land free of this plant. As a Class 1 species, the aim is to keep Queensland free of this invasive pest. Therefore it is prohibited to be grown, used and/or sold for the purpose of cooking.
Water mimosa is a distinctive floating aquatic herb that attaches to the bank at the waters edge. Stems grow out over the waters surface and have a spongy texture where in contact with water.
Leaves are ‘sensitive’ and close up when touched, and flowers are a yellow puff-ball shape and will start to appear in early summer.
If you think you have found water mimosa, report it to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 or your local government Pest Officer at Burdekin Shire Council on 4783 9800.
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For more information about Water Mimosa there’s a Pest Profile at DAFF
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