Heads up on Limnocharis
IT MAY make for a pretty pond plant, with its fluted leaves and yellow flowers, but it has some nasty habits if it shifts into waterways
Biosecurity Queensland is urging North Queenslanders to become weed warriors and help eradicate Limnocharis, an exotic and invasive aquatic weed, from ponds and waterways.
National Tropical Weed Eradication Program Leader Mick Jeffery said limnocharis must be eradicated from Australia before it became a permanently established weed.
“Limnocharis is classified as a pest plant under Queensland legislation and it is a serious offence to introduce, keep or sell it without a permit issued by Biosecurity Queensland,” Mr Jeffrey said.
“Though this plant may look lovely in water features with its pretty yellow flower and attractive foliage it is an aggressive invader that will choke waterways, displace native plant species and destroy natural habitats.
❝It is important not to disturb it or prevent accidentally spreading any seed.
“It threatens agricultural systems by competing for nutrients and space, restricting access to water and providing favourable breeding areas for mosquitoes.
“We want to make sure every remaining location of limnocharis is detected in order to eradicate the species from North Queensland and protect our native plants.”
Mr Jeffery said the community could support a national project to achieve eradication by reporting suspected plant locations, especially in backyards on private property.
“Limnocharis starts off growing in shallow water and by trapping silt can quickly spread to take over and choke waterways,” Mr Jeffrey said.
“The weed has paddle shaped leaves with long triangular stems, yellow flowers and grows to a metre tall and is likely to be found in ornamental ponds, dams, creeks, swamps or drains.
“If you think you have limnocharis on your property, it is important not to disturb it to prevent accidentally spreading any seed.
“Take note of its location, take a photograph and report it to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 and remember to thoroughly clean your footwear or any equipment and vehicles before leaving the area,” Mr Jeffery said.
Its attractive and useful qualities have encouraged its spread around the tropics, and pose its current issues in the Queensland context.
A Central American native, Limnocharis thrives in tropical climates and has naturalised throughout India to South East Asia, where it is highly popular as an abundant wild-sourced green used in cooking and as a fodder for pigs, and particularly in poorer communities as a go-to lean season food source.
The marsh-loving plant thrives in rice systems, and can disperse one million seeds annually through waterflows such as rainfall run-off and creeks.
It can also propagate via root systems.