“Garden Escapes” education booklet - Sydney Weeds Committees

Garden Escapes 

& Other Weeds in 

Bushland and Reserves 

A responsible gardening guide for the Sydney Region 

Sydney Weeds Committees 

Sydney Central Sydney South West 

Sydney North Sydney West – Blue Mountains

C O N T E N T S 

General Information 3 

Vines & Scramblers 6 

Ground Covers 20 

Bulbous & Succulent Weeds 34 

Grass Weeds 51 

Shrub Weeds 57 

Tree Weeds 64 

Water Weeds 74 

Help Protect Your Local Environment 77 

Common Plant Parts 78 

Bibliography 79 

Plant Me Instead 80 

Index & Acknowledments 82 

Reprinted 2012 

Booklet adapted and reproduced with permission of Great Lakes Council

The Problem 

Plants escape from gardens in a 

variety of ways, but one main cause 

of spread from gardens is by green 

waste dumping in bushland and road 

reserves. This practice is harmful to the 

bush for many reasons, such as: 

introducing weeds (plant fragments, 

bulbs, roots, tubers, seeds, spores) 

smothering native plants 

changing the soil and ideal growing 

conditions for native plants 

increasing fi re risk by increasing 

fuel loads. 

Dumping in bushland 

and reserves is illegal and can 

attract fi nes. nes. 

Plants may also spread into natural 

areas directly from gardens where they 

are planted. “Weedy” garden plants 

may be identifi ed by: 

the ability to spread by vegetative 

means - bulbs, corms, tubers, root 

parts, stem fragments (e.g. Madeira 

Vine, Glory Lily, Coral Tree, Trad) 

berries that can be eaten by 

birds and animals (e.g. Chinese 

Celtis, Asparagus Fern, 

Cotoneasters, Olives, Camphor 

Laurel, Blackberry, Hawthorn) 

the ability to produce large amounts 

of seeds that are easily distributed 

by wind, animals, water and can 

survive in the soil for a long time 

(e.g. Formosa Lily, Longleaf Willow 

Primrose, Balloon Vine, Moth Vine, 

Narrow Leaf Cotton Bush) 

a general ability to survive under 

extreme conditions, and 

a history of weediness in similar 

climates. 

What is a weed? 

WEEDS are plants that don’t belong 

where they are. They can include plants 

from other countries but area also some 

-times from other parts of Australia. Weeds 

can be harmful to human and animals. They 

also affect the ecology and appearance of 

bushland areas and waterways. 

Environmental weeds often grow faster 

than native plants and out-compete them 

to become dominant in natural areas. The 

natural pests or diseases that would otherwise 

control their growth are lacking as the plants 

have been introduced from somewhere else. 

Weeds replace the native plants that native 

creatures need for shelter, food and nesting. 

If left uncontrolled they will, in most cases, 

destroy ecosystems and choke waterways. 

The classifi cation of plants as noxious weeds 

is constantly changing and will continue to do 

so as climate change alters the way different 

plants behave. For this reason this booklet 

does not include the current classifi cation 

of various plants. It is better to replace 

any of the plants in this booklet with safe 

native alternatives. 

Some plants have such serious potential 

for damage to human health, agricultural 

production or the environment that they are 

classifi ed as Weeds of National Signifi cance. 

Where a plant is listed as a WONS it will have 

the symbol: 

For more information 

about weeds: 

www.sydneyweeds.org.au 

 

www.weeds.org.au 

 

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/ 

pests-weeds/weeds 

General Information 

3


Manual weed 

control methods 

Weed control should be coordinated so 

as to avoid seed setting, i.e. prior to, or 

during fl owering time. Any section of the 

plant capable of reproducing (e.g. seeds, 

fruits, tubers/roots, some shoots) should be 

bagged, removed from the site and disposed of 

by deep burial at a waste management centre. 

Other vegetative matter can be mulched on 

site or taken to a waste management centre 

and disposed of in green waste. Personal 

Protective Equipment (PPE) must always be 

used when controlling weeds and working in 

the garden. Always wash hands after working 

with weeds and exotic plants. 

Hand pull/dig method 

 

 

 

fi rmly while loosening soil from roots with 

knife/trowel. 

 

from roots and bag 

for removal or place 

plant on rock/log 

to die. 

 

PPE: hat, nitrile gloves, 

longsleeves/pants, boots, 

sunscreen and insect repellent. 

Crown cut method 

 

plant needs to be removed. 

 

 

ground level, 

gathering stems 

together, insert 

knife and cut in a 

circular motion 

to remove crown. 

 

soil/leaf litter 

and pat down 

PPE: hat, nitrile gloves, long 

sleeves/pants, boots, sunscreen 

and insect repellent. 

Herbicide use 

Always read the label and Material Safety 

Data Sheets before using herbicides. 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must 

always be used when handling herbicides. 

Always wash hands after using chemicals. 

Skirting (using secateurs and herbicide) 

 

 

seconds of cutting) to ground cut stems fi rst, 

then aerial stems. 

 

reshooting within 

6 weeks, treat 

again where 

necessary. 

Note: NOT 

suitable for vines 

with aerial tubers 

e.g. Madiera Vine. 

PPE: hat, nitrile 

gloves, long 

sleeves/pants, 

boots, sunscreen and insect repellent. 

Stem scrape (using knife and herbicide) 

 

 

to expose vascular tissue. 

 

to exposed vascular 

 

 

of scraping). 

 

bark entire stem. 

in situ 

until completely 

dead, and re-treat 

if necessary. 

PPE: hat, nitrile 

gloves, long 

sleeves/pants, boots, sunscreen and insect 

repellent.

Herbicide use (cont.) 

Cut and Paint (using saw and herbicide) 

 

 

basal stem diameter. 

 

close to ground, below 

any branching stems or 

side shoots. 

 

cambium layer 

 

 

PPE: hat, nitrile gloves, safety glasses, 

long sleeves/pants, boots sunscreen and 

insect repellent. 

Foliar spraying (knapsacks & 

pressure sprayers) 

 

diluted with water 

at a specifi c rate. 

 

use on certain 

shrubs, grasses 

and dense vines. 

 

sprayed until wet 

but not dripping. 

 

more dilute than required for the job and 

do not store diluted herbicide as it may 

breakdown and become inactive. 

 

not ground or dam water as herbicide may 

breakdown and become inactive. 

PPE: hat, nitrile gloves, safety glasses, long 

sleeves/pants, boots, respirator sunscreen and 

insect repellent. 

Various spraying regimes and herbicides 

are available for use on particular weeds. 

The Department of Primary Industries has 

developed a guide entitled “Noxious and 

Environmental Weed Control Handbook” 

that is available online from http://www.dpi. 

nsw.gov.au/agriculture/pests-weeds/weeds 

Also talk to the noxious weeds or bushland 

offi cer at your local Council. 

Responsible 

Gardening 

 

you do in your garden. 

We encourage you to: 

REPLACE invasive plants in your 

garden with safe and preferably 

native alternatives. 

PRUNE your garden 

plants after fl owering. Not only 

will this prevent seed set, it will 

also promote healthy and 

vigorous growth. 

Dispose of garden waste 

RESPONSIBLY, never dump it 

over the back fence, on roadsides 

or in bushland. 

Dispose of plant bulbs, tubers 

and seed heads in your GENERAL 

WASTE bin not green waste. 

COVER your trailer when taking 

garden waste to landfi ll to stop 

weeds and seeds from blowing 

off and invading roadsides and 

bushland areas. 

Buy a mulcher and MULCH 

garden waste (without seeds) 

on site, then use it in the garden 

or compost it! 

Actively REPORT any illegal 

dumping in your neighbourhood. 

JOIN your local Bushcare group 

and help remove weeds from 

the public reserves and bushland 

areas in your neighbourhood. 

Contact your local Council to 

fi nd a Bushcare or environmental 

volunteer group. 


5

Vines & Scramblers 

6 


Vines, scramblers or climbing plants can trail or creep along the ground but 

generally require the support of other plants to grow because their stems, 

in most cases, lack the central thickening which imparts rigour to trees and 

shrubs. Their stems are usually supple and can twist and contort in erratic 

convolutions without affecting the transport of water and nutrients that are 

essential to their survival. 

This category of plants includes some of the most damaging environmental 

weeds in the Sydney region. It is recommended that all species listed here be 

eradicated from gardens. 

It is impossible to estimate the number of species of plants in the world’s fl ora 

which have adopted the climbing growth habit. Botanists tend to categorise 

plants according to their fl oral features rather than growth habits and it is 

therefore diffi cult even to arrive at an estimate. Certainly the number is in the 

tens of thousands, and because climbers tend to be a neglected group of plants, 

it is almost certain that new weed species await discovery and description. 

The main weed species are featured in the following pages but below is a list of 

Other Problematic Vines & Scramblers 

Common Name Botanical Name 

Dioscorea bulbifera 

Blackberry The group of Rubus fruticosa species (WoNS) 

Blue Trumpet Vine Thunbergia grandifl ora 

Bridal Creeper Asparagus asparagoides (see section about bulbous plants) 

Cape Honeysuckle Tecomaria capensis 

Climbing Cineraria Senecio tamoides 

Crabs Eye Creeper Abrus precatorius 

Cup and Saucer Vine Cobaea scandens 

Creeping Groundsel Senecio angulatus 

Dutchmans Pipe Aristolochia elegans 

English Ivy Hedera helix varieties 

Flame Vine Pyrostegia venusta 

Moon Flower Ipomoea alba 

Mysore Thorn Caesalpinia decapetala 

Pie Melon Citrullus lanatus 

Purple Morning Glory Ipomoea purpurea 

Cryptostegia grandifl ora 

Silverleaf desmodium Desmodium uncinatum 

Siratro Macroptilium atropurpureum 

Snail Creeper Phaseolus caracalla 

Star of Bethlehem Ipomoea quamoclit 

Acetosa sagittata

Balloon Vine 

Cardiospermum grandifl orum 

Seedlings germinate most of the year. Plants 

spread over ground or climb trees and shrubs. 

Common in moist gullies along the warm 

Family: Sapindaceae temperate to tropical coast of Qld and NSW. 

Origin: Tropical America, West Indies and Africa 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

 

Flowers: White, 4 petals. in clusters, stalk of the fl owerheads end in a 

pair of tendrils. Flowers for most of the year. 

Fruit: Infl ated membraneous capsule, 6-ribbed, 4-8cm long, covered 

 

about 7mm wide. 

 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Shallow and fi brous, fragments re-root readily. 

Seeds spread by wind, water and contaminated soil 

(earthmoving equipment, car tyres etc) 

Hand pull/Dig, Scrape and Paint, skirting, foliar spraying. 

Vines & Scramblers


8 

Black Eyed Susan 

Thunbergia alata 

Colour variation of fl owers is encountered with 

plants grown from seedlings, including yellow 

Family: 

Origin: 

Acanthaceae 

Tropical Africa 

or white, often lacking the dark central blotch. 

Very fast and erratic twiner. 

Habit: A delicate herbaceous and persistent twining or scrambling vine 

that will readily re-root from fragments and nodes. 

Leaves: Thin-textured, heart-shaped or triangular. 

Flowers: Bright orange to yellow some times white with a distinct black 

centre on a single stalk. Base of fl ower enclosed in pair of green 

sepals. Summer-Autumn. 

Fruit: 

 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

The papery sepals remain to cover the beaked capsule containing 

few seeds. 

Tap and fi brous, will actively seek and block water/septic pipes. 

Vegetation and seed will spread by water, humans, contaminated 

soil (earthmoving equipment, car tyres etc) and garden 

refuse dumping. 

Hand Dig, Foliar spray.

Brazilian Nightshade 

Solanum seaforthianum 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Solanaceae 

Also known as Blue Potato Vine, this plant has 

become naturalised in rainforests and is widely 

distributed from N.E. Qld to N.E. NSW. 

South America 

Perennial shrub or twining climber to 6m. 

 

under surface. 

 

Spring-Autumn. 

 

Shallow and fi brous. 

Seed is spread by water, animals, humans, contaminated 



Hand Dig, Scrape and Paint, Skirting, Foliar spray. 


9


10 

Cape Ivy 

Delairea odorata 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Also known as Senecio mikanioides Cape Ivy 

is naturalised in coastal parts of NSW and 

Asteraceae 

rapidly grows to blanket and smother 

surrounding vegetation. 

South Africa 

A climbing and trailing perennial, non-woody vine that 

 

 

silvery below, often with a purple tinge. 

Strongly scented on warm days, yellow and daisy-like in dense 

clusters lacking ray fl orets (petals). Autumn-Spring. 

Small, reddish-brown with a ‘parachute’ of fi ne hairs (pappus). 

 


Vegetation and seed is spread by wind, water, animals, humans, 

contaminated soil (earthmoving equipment, car tyres etc) and 

garden refuse dumping. 

Hand Dig, Skirting, Foliar spray.

Cats Claw Creeper 

Macfadyena unguis-cati 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Bignoniaceae 

Mexico to Uruguay 

Stems in established stands of Cats Claw 

Creeper have been recorded as being up 

 

of Cat’s Claw stems is slow, but the vines 

are long-lived, nearly as long as the trees 

that they claim for support. 

 

three-pronged claws along the growing portion of the plant. 

The weight of the vine’s mass often collapses the supporting 

trees branches and may even cause mature trees to fall. 

 

Leafl ets are dark green and formed in opposite pairs along the 

vine. New leaves and tips are a showy red/brown colour. 

Attractive bright yellow forming a bell shape when fully open 

and only occur on mature plants. Winter-Spring. 

Long dark brown seed pods are formed which split open when 

mature exposing numerous hard brown seeds. 

Deep underground tuberous roots are profuse suckering readily. 

Seed and tubers spread by wind, or water such as along rivers 

in fl oods, humans, contaminated soil (earthmoving equipment, 

car tyres etc) and garden refuse dumping. 

Hand Dig, Scrape and Paint, Foliar spray. 


1


2 

German Ivy 

Senecio macroglossus 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

A popular plant for hanging baskets, German 

Ivy has escaped cultivation and found its way 

Asteraceae 

into shaded areas on the verges of rainforests. 

South Africa 

Evergreen light or slender, twining herbaceous perennial. 

Bright green, fl eshy, triangular or fi ve-pointed ivy-like. 

Large, conspicuous pale yellow daisy fl owers about 6cm across 

and carried singly on long slender stalks are borne just about all 

year round, but mainly during the summer months. 

The seeds are small and stick-like with a tuft of greyish-white 

bristles at one end (pappus). Dandelion-like tufty balls. 


Seed is spread by wind, humans, contaminated soil (earthmoving 

equipment, car tyres etc) and garden refuse dumping. 

Hand Dig, Skirting, Foliar spray.

Japanese Honeysuckle 

Lonicera japonica 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

A popular garden plant of yesterday that has 

become a widespread weed throughout many 

areas of eastern Australia from Qld to SA. In 

Caprifoliaceae 

colder climates it may become deciduous. 

China & Japan 

 

covered with short hairs. Older stems woody and hairless. 

 

covered with short hairs. Older stems woody and hairless. 

 

ageing cream to yellow or pale orange. Flowers Autumn-Spring. 

 

Fibrous initially, becoming a dense, extensive and woody 

crown with age. 

Seed mostly spread by birds, but also humans, contaminated 



Hand Dig, Skirting, Foliar spray. 


13


4 

Kudzu 

Pueria lobata 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

This plant has taken over entire towns in 

America. There are only two known locations 

 

most critical potential threats to Sydney 

Fabaceae 

South America to remove once established with hardy tubers 

Perennial climber 

and rapid growth rate. Beware of this plant. 

with twining stems to 6m on supporting vegetation. 

Oblong – triangular leaves, with fi nger-like glands on the 

upper surface, grow at right angles to the stalk. 

Perfumed tubular white fl owers late spring to autumn. 

Sap a milky, sticky latex. 

Leaves and pear-shaped fruit pods are greyish, covered in 

fi ne hairs. When the pods turn brown and split, they release 

thousands of tiny black seeds with a tuft of silky white hairs. 

Expansive root system with crowns and deep tap root. 

 

Also seeds in pods. 

 

Can also be sprayed. Seek advice before doing so. 

Photo: Kelly Saunderson

Madeira Vine 

Anredera cordifolia 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Madeira Vine is a devastating weed capable of 

smothering host vegetation in a relatively short 

period of time. The masses of fl eshy leaves 

become very heavy and can break branches in 

Basellaceae 

large trees destroying the upper canopy. 

South America 

Vigorous, robust fl eshy and extensive twining, hairless, 

 

Fleshy broadly egg or heart shaped, alternately arranged and 

bright green. 

Small, fragrant, creamy white coloured and numerous in 

 

evenly spaced along a central stem. Spring-Summer. 

 

Fleshy and tuberous. Tubers are capable of sprouting even 

after being pulverised. 

Spread and tubers transported by contaminated soil (earthmoving 

equipment, car tyres etc), garden refuse dumping and water, such 

as along rivers in fl oods. Aerial tubers will be shed from stems if 

 

Hand Dig, Scrape and Paint, Foliar spray. *Never Cut and Paint. 


15


16 

Morning Glory 

Ipomoea indica (blue) 

Ipomoea cairica (coastal) 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Can readily be seen spreading along road 

edges and favour disturbed and open areas. 

They are capable of totally engulfi ng host 

trees in a relatively short period of time. 

Convolvulaceae 

South America 

 

 

 

 

 

(Blue), mauve to pale pink/red/white (Coastal). Spring-Autumn. 

Ipomoea cairica: 4-valved brown capsule containing 4-6 seeds, 

which have parachute-like attachments. No seed set in 

Ipomoea indica. 

Fibrous initially, becoming dense, extensive and crown-like with age. 

Will set root from stem fragments when in contact with the soil. 

Seed is spread by wind, water, animals, humans, contaminated 

soil (earthmoving equipment, car tyres etc) and garden refuse 

dumping. (particularly I.indica). 

Hand Dig, Skirting, Scrape and Paint, Foliar spray.

Moth Vine 

Araujia sericifera 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Commonly smothers shrubs and small trees, 

depressing their growth. Often in wasteland 

and forests adjoining settlement, mainly in 

coastal higher rainfall areas. 

Asclepiadaceae 

 

Twining perennial climber reaching up to 6m on supporting 

vegetation. Milky latex exuded from damaged stems and leaves 

 

dark green above, grey-green below. 

 

 

Grey-green choko shaped pod, turning brown and woody 

with age, opening to release numerous black seeds approx. 

4mm long each possessing a tuft of white silky hairs that 

aid its spread by wind. 

Shallow and fi brous. 

Seeds spread by wind, water and contaminated soil 

(earthmoving equipment, car tyres etc) 

Hand pull/Dig, Scrape and Paint, skirting, foliar spray for seedlings. 


1


18 

Pampas Lily of the Valley 

Salpichroa origanifolia 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Grows in full shade or sun, sand or wetlands, 

and tolerates long dry periods. It grows rapidly 

and can completely smother other vegetation. 

Solanaceae 

Once established, the plant is diffi cult to remove. 

South America 

A scrambling or climbing perennial herb. 

 

stalks about the same length as the leaf blades. 

Bell-shaped whitish fl owers 6-8mm long, form at the leaf axils. 

Smooth yellow berry when ripe, containing about twenty 

brown to pale yellow fl attened seeds. The plant has a thick, 

 

 

 

 

birds and machinery. 

Seedlings can be removed by hand. Mature plants have 

 

removed by persistent digging over several seasons. Fruit should 

be cut and bagged. Permits to use chemicals are being sought.

Passion Flower/Fruit 

Passifl ora subpeltata, P. edulis, 

P. foetida, P. suberosa, P. mollissima 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Passifl oraceae 

Even the popular edible Passion fruit 

species have become problematic 

weeds of bushland, mainly because of 

human negligence discarding unwanted 

fruit or merely failing to harvest. 

Chiefl y tropical South America 

Vigorous climber with tendrils. 

 

 

blunt tips to dark green with pointed tips. 

Passion fl owers are very distinctive in shape. They range from 

 

 

stamens and a prominent divided stigma. Spring-Summer. 

 

yellow, green, red or purple/black. 

Lateral roots form at right angle to stem, break easily when 

pulled, re-shoot from remnant root stock. 

Seeds spread by humans, water, animals and garden 


Scrape and Paint, Cut and treat root system, Foliar spray. 

Photo: Isabelle Strachan 


19

Ground Covers 

20 

Ground Covers 

These herbaceous, slightly woody or strap like plants may seem insignifi cant 

in reserves and bushland areas, but they displace native ground covers and 

thus reduce the biodiversity of natural areas, which alters the whole ecology 

of that plant community. 

Many of these ground covers are still found for sale in nurseries and local 

markets. Like all categories of plants in this booklet, active management is 

most important which includes regular pruning to maintain plant health and 

vigour and the constant removal of spent fl owers to prevent seed set. 

In some ecological communities, lawn grasses such as Kikuyu, Buffalo 

Grass and Paspalum can be damaging and problematic e.g. Themeda grass 

headlands, Coastal saltmarsh (see grass weeds section) 


Other Problematic Ground Covers 


Canadian Goldenrod Solidago canadensis 

Coastal Spurge Euphorbia paralias 

Coreopsis Coreopsis lanceolata 

Creeping Lantana Lantana montevidensis (WoNS) 

Crucifi x Orchid Epidendrum radicans 

Evening Primrose Oenothera biennis 

Fireweed Senecio madagascariensis 

Ginger Lilies Hedychium gardnerianum/H. coronarium 

Japanese knotweed Persicaria capitata 

Obedient Plant Physostegia virginiana 

Opium Poppy Papaver somniferum 

Painted Spurge Euphorbia cyathophora 

Pennywort Hydrocotyle bonariensis 

Polka Dot Plant Hypoestes phyllostachya

Blue Perrywinkle 

Vinca major 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Mats of this species smother other ground 

vegetation and prevent growth of shrubs 

and trees. Grows best in fertile soil and 

well in shade. 

Apocynaceae 

Central and southern Europe and northern Africa 

Spreading perennial herb to 50cm high with stems that root at 

nodes and sometimes at tips Lacks milky latex that is common 

with its family. 

Opposite, ovate, 1.5-9cm long, 1.5-4.5cm wide, glossy green 

above, paler below; on leaf stalk 0.5-1.5cm long 

Violet-blue to mauve, 3-6cm wide, tubular with 5 spreading 

lobes 1.3-2.5cm long, stamens attached to inside of tube and 

within tube. Flowers mostly late Winter to late Summer. 

Produced in pairs joined at the base, membranous, cylindrical 

3.5-5cm long, about 0.4cm wide. Seeds fl at, hairless, 

7-8mm long, 1-10 per fruit. 

Fibrous. Stems root at nodes and sometimes at tips. 

Seed is apparently rarely produced in Australia. Mainly spread by 

humans via garden refuse dumping. 

Hand Dig, bagging all plant parts and removing from site. 

Foliar spray. 

Ground Covers 

2

Ground Covers 

2 

Blue Stars 

Aristea ecklonii 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Naturalises in disturbed woodland. Takes 

up space where natives should be providing 

food and habitat for creatures. 

Iridaceae 

Forest margins in western and southern Africa 

Perennial herb resembling a clump of grass. 

Up to 60cm linear and leathery, red at the base. 

Bright blue fl owers in a loose panicle on a taller stem close 

early afternoon. 

Pods 2cm long, three-sided, contain numerous small seeds. 

Aggressive root system of rhizomes developing into tubers, corms. 

Seeds spread by water. 

Best removed by hand. If in abundance possible to spray. 

Photo: Warringah Council

Butterfl y Flower 

Gaura lindheirmeri 

Gaura parvifl ora* 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

*At the time of printing this booklet it is 

an offence to sell, propagate or knowingly 

distribute this species. 

Onagraceae 

USA and Mexico border region 

Sprawling perennial herb, 0.6-1.2m high with a 0.6-0.9m spread. 

The leaves are simple, narrow, irregular and spoon shaped, 

2.5-7.6cm long, with toothed margins. Often blotched red. 

Small, butterfl y-like blooms adorn long willowy stems. Blooms 

are white when they open at dawn, fading to rose-pink by the 

end of the day and are produced for a very long period. Other 

varieties produce fl owers of pinks and crimson. Spring-Autumn. 

Small 4 sided elongated capsule persisting after the fl owers 

containing numerous tiny seeds. 

Fibrous root system tolerant of a wide range of soil types from 

sand to clay. 

Seed and vegetation spread by water, humans, contaminated 

soil (earthmoving/slashing equipment, car tyres etc) and garden 


Hand pull/dig, Foliar spray. 

Ground Covers 

23

Ground Covers 

4 

Gazania 

Gazania species 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Have become naturalised on coastal dunes, parks 

and along roadsides from southern Sydney to 

the Mid North Coast, the Eyre Peninsula and Mt 

Lofty region of Sth Australia and in the Moreton 

Asteraceae region of S.E. Queensland. 

Mainly South Africa 

Clumping, low-growing perennial herb to 15cm high. that 

withstands salt-laden winds and grows well in sandy soils 

Elliptic to narrow-oblanceolate, irregularly pinnatisect, dark 

green above white hairy underneath. 

Brightly coloured long stemmed daisy-like fl owers to 8cm wide, 

in red, bronze, yellow and orange tones. Spring to Autumn. 

Achenes. 4mm long; pappus scales lanceolate 2-3mm long, with 

hairs covering achene. 


sand to clay preferring dryer to free draining conditions. 

Abundance of seed spread by wind. Seed and vegetation 

spread by garden refuse dumping, contaminated soil 

(earthmoving/mowing equipment, car tyres etc). 

Hand pull/dig, Foliar spray.

Impatiens/Busy Lizzy 

Impatiens walleriana varieties 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Readily sold at nurseries and local 

markets, these colourful plants spread 

easily by seed and fragments. Commonly 

found along drains and water courses. 

Balsaminaceae 

Africa 

Bushy, succulent-stemmed tender perennial that grows in a 

spreading mound 15-60cm tall depending on variety. Shade 

tolerant, favouring moist conditions. 

Ovate to elliptic leaves light to dark green, sometimes with a 

bronze-red cast and serrated edges. The opposite leaves are 

arranged spirally around a thick, green or brownish, brittle stem. 

Fragments of stem re-root readily. 

Large (to 5cm across), fl eshy, with 5 petals. Pink, rose, red, lilac, 

purple, orange, white & bicolors. Spring-Autumn. 

Explosive capsules contain hundreds of small, viable seeds, 

which are expelled some distance when ripe. 


sand to clay. 

Seed and vegetation is spread by water, humans, contaminated 



Hand pull/dig, bagging all plant parts and removing from site. 

Foliar spray. 

Ground Covers 

25

26 

Lippia 

Phyla canescens 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Introduced as a lawn species and once used 

to stabilise soil on banks of irrigation canals 

and around weirs. Overruns native vegetation, 

and is capable of suppressing the growth of 

Verbenaceae neighbouring plants. 

Americas from California to Argentina and Chile 

Hardy, mat forming, perennial herb with stems that root at nodes. 

Ovate, with blunt short teeth; 0.5-3cm long, 2-10mm wide, 

without hairs or with short dense hairs; leaf stalk absent or short. 

Infl orescence a dense short cylindrical to globe-shaped spike of 

tubular fl owers, on a stalk which is 1-6.5cm long and usually 

much longer than leaves at the stalk base; petals usually lilac or 

pink. Flower tubes 2-3mm long. Spring to late autumn. 

Ellpisoid to globose, 1.5-2mm long. 

Dense and mat forming. 

Seed and fragments spread by water, humans, contaminated 



Foliar spray, pasture improvement techniques.

Spiny Headed/Slender Mat Rush/River Reed 

Lomandra hystrix 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Lomandraceae 

Riverine 

sub tropical 

Australia 

Still mistaken for local native L.longifolia 

and planted in bushland restoration sites. 

High potential to hybridise with local 

species leading to loss of vigour and genetic 

integrity. Damages ecosystems where it 

doesn’t belong. 

Tufted hardy plant with dark green, strappy leaves to 1.3m. 

Leaf tips pointed with 2-4 tiny side teeth lower down. 

Clusters of fl uffy yellow green or cream scented fl ower spikes 

as tall as leaf blades. 

Clusters of fl uffy yellow lemon scented fl ower spikes on female 

plants mainly in spring. Primary branches of the fl ower spikes 

are in fours. 

Fibrous root system 

Widely used in large scale revegetation projects along 

roadsides and watercourses. Seedlings spread readily into 

neighbouring bushland. 

Remove fl ower heads before seed set. Remove plants. 

2

28 

Nasturtium 

Tropaeolum majus 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Readily sold at nurseries and local markets, 

these colourful plants spread easily by seed 

and fragments. Active management in 

Tropaeolaceae 

gardens is required to minimise the spread. 

South America 

Quick growing, soft sprawling succulent annual herb. 

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions but prefers full sun. 

Broad circular leaves are arranged spirally around stem 

supported by long stalks joined at the centre of the leaf. 

Leaves and stems are soft and fl eshy. 

Large fi ve-petalled funnel-formed fl owers in shades of yellow 

red and orange. Spring – Autumn 

Green and succulent, 10mm long. 

Fibrous and succulent. 

Seed and vegetation is spread by water, humans, contaminated 



Hand pull/dig bagging all plant parts and removing from site, 

Foliar spray.

Seaside Daisy 

Erigeron karvinskianus 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Highly tolerant of poor, dry soils and grows 

in a wide range of conditions. 

Asteraceae 

South Mexico to Venezuela 

An aggresive spreading perennial herb to about 50cm high. 

Grows vigorously smothering low native ground covers. 

Highly tolerant of poor dry soils and grows in a wide range of 

conditions. The plant is able to tolerate high salinity and drought. 

Simple, evergreen, elliptical to oval, pubescent on both sides, 

and reach 32mm long by 13mm wide. 

Small daisy fl owers 1-2cm across are borne all year round. Each 

fl ower has a yellow centre, a corolla that is 5-lobed with white 

petals, which become pink and fi nally purple with age. 

Dandilion-like tufts; 1mm long hard dry seed (achene) 

attached to a pappus of fi ne whitish hairs, 2mm long. 

Fibrous, shallow; rooting at the nodes. 

Seed spread by wind, humans and contaminated soil (earthmoving 


Plants will spread vegetatively by cuttings rooting at the nodes. 


Foliar spray. 

Ground Covers 

29

Ground Covers 

30 

Singapore Daisy 

Sphagneticola trilobata 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Asteraceae 

Mexico to Argentina 

Introduced as an ornamental. Deliberately 

planted as a roadside and railway 

embankment stabiliser in Queensland, 

now spreading in coastal areas of NSW. 

Also naturalised in Florida, Malaysia and 

on Pacifi c Islands. 

Dense mat-forming perennial herb to 70cm high, with spreading 

stems to 2m or more long that root at nodes. 

Simple, dark green above, paler below, 3-11cm long, 2.5-8cm 

wide, with white hairs and toothed margins, sometimes trilobed. 

Solitary in leaf axils with yellow disc and ray fl orets; to 

3.5cm wide on stalks 3-14cm long. Flowerheads with 

4-14 petals 6-15mm long, inner (disc) fl orets tubular. 

Flowers Spring to Autumn. 

Seeds 4-5mm long, tuberculate and topped with 

Dandilion-like tufts. 

Fibrous, shallow; rooting at the nodes. 

Seed spread by wind, humans and contaminated soil (earthmoving 


Plants will spread vegetatively by cuttings rooting at the nodes. 


Foliar spray.

Spider Plant/Ribbon Plant 

Chlorophytum comosum 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

An old fashioned plant, still popular in 

rockeries or hanging baskets because of its 

Anthericaceae ability to withstand drought conditions. 

South Africa 

A tufted grass-like perennial herb, to 60cm high. 

Linear strap/grass-like leaves to 1cm wide and 60cm long forming 

a point at the apex, leaves may be solid green, although the 

variegated form with pale green and white longitudinal stripes 

is more common. 

Small white fl owers with six petals are borne along outward 

arching wiry stalks in branching heads for most of the year. 

Small plantlets are produced at the tips of the fl owering 

branches. When the branches bend over and the plantlets come 

into contact with the soil they take root. Capsules are formed 

that contain many seeds. 

Fleshy tuberous roots 5-10cm long form at the base of clumps. 

Main method of reproduction is vegetative where by new plantlets 

take root. Spread by humans, contaminated soil (earthmoving 



Foliar spray. 

Ground Covers 

31

Ground Covers 

32 

Wandering Jew/Trad 

Tradescantia albifl ora, T. zebrina, 

T. spathecea 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Commelinaceae 

South America 

This shade loving, weak rooted herb is 

often the cause of skin irritations in dogs. 

Many other forms of Tradescantia are 

well known garden plants including the 

popular “Moses in the cradle” (Rhoeo). 

Weak, perennial, creeping succulent herb, rooting from distinct 

nodes. Grows vigorously, layering and smothering low native 

ground covers. Shade tolerant and moisture loving. 

Simple, alternate, ovate leaves that are glossy and dark green, 

to 6cm long. Slightly fl eshy. 

Small (1-2cm) white fl owers, with three petals and six hairy 

stamens. Spring-Summer. 

Papery capsule, seed not viable in Australia. 

Stolons form underground, with weak, shallow roots forming 

at nodes. 

Main method of reproduction is vegetative where by stem 

fragments re-root. Stem fragments spread by water, and 

contaminated soil (green waste dumping, earth moving etc). 

Common in watercourses. 

Hand pull/dig, bagging all plant parts and removing from 

site. Foliar spray. 

Similar native species: Commelina cyanea (photo bottom right). This native ground 

cover has hairy leaf sheaths, blue fl owers and a strong primary root system. 

Native look-a-like

Wild Iris 

Dietes bicolor 

Dietes iridioides 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Iridaceae 

South Africa 

Perennial 

rhizomatous 

Highly tolerant of poor, dry soils and grows 

in a wide range of conditions. Active 

management needed in all gardens. This 

may be as simple as actively removing spent 

fl ower stalks prior to seed set, or even better, 

complete removal from gardens. 

clumps of erect sword-shaped leaves. The adult plant is 

approximately 1m wide and 1m tall. 

Leathery, sword shaped, strappy leaves 1-2cm wide to 60cm 

long; arranged in fl at fans. 

Short-lived, iris-like fl owers that are either white, yellow and 

mauve or yellow with brown spots produced Spring-Summer. 

Green, three-celled capsule containing numerous hard angular 

seeds 1-2mm in diameter. 

Rhizomatous and fi brous, will re-shoot from any rootstock 

left in soil. 

Seed is spread by water, humans, contaminated soil 

(earthmoving equipment, 

car tyres etc) and garden 


Hand pull/dig, Foliar spray. 

33

Bulbous & Succulent Weeds 

34 


These plants are extremely hardy due to their above ground and below ground 

storage structures, which are modifi ed leaves, stems and roots. 

This group of plants includes all of the Asparagus species. These plants are 

prolifi c, hardy (drought-resistant), shade tolerant and highly invasive. They 

have extensive underground rhizomes that form thick mats capable of 

reducing water penetration into soil; vigorous vegetative structures that are 

capable of smothering native vegetation and produce copious amounts of 

berries (red or black) that are readily consumed and spread by animals and 

birds. They are also spread by green waste dumping as rhizomes are capable 

of surviving for long periods of time out of the soil. 


Other Problematic Bulbous & Succulent Weeds 


Aloes Aloe species 

Asparagus Fern Asparagus scandens (WoNS) 

Bridal Veil Asparagus declinatus (WoNS) 

Cactus/Prickly Pears Harrisia, Opuntia & Cylindropuntia species 

Century Plant Agave americana, Agave species 

Coastal Gladiolus Gladiolus gueinzii 

Freesia Freesia x hybrida/Freesia refracta 

Gladiolus Gladiolus species 

Mother in Law’s Tongue Sanseviera species 

Naked Lady Amaryllis belladonna 

Philippine Lily Lilium philippinense 

Soursob/Shamrock/Wood Sorrel Oxalis species 

Various Succulents Sedums, Kalanchoe, and many other Genera 

Bridal Creeper fact: First recorded in Australia in 1857 in a nursery 

catalogue. By the 1870’s Bridal Creeper was a common garden plant; 

its fl owers were used in fl oral arrangements, particularly in wedding 

bouquets. Within 50 years of introduction, bridal creeper had become 

naturalised in many areas across most of southern Australia and has 

earned its status as a Weed of National Signifi cance.

Agapanthus 

Agapanthus species 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Alliaceae 

Africa 

One of the most widely planted ornamental 

landscape plants, Agapanthus have invaded 

natural areas including the Blue Mountains 

world heritage area. 

An erect fl eshy, clumping, perennial lily with long strappy leaves. 

Long (up to 700mm), strap-like, glossy bright green, fl eshy. 

Small (30mm) trumpet shaped blue or white fl owers that form 

large spherical clusters (umbels) at the end of long (1200mm) 

smooth tubular stalks. Very showy fl oral display in Summer. 

Three-sided leathery green capsules form in clusters at the 

end of stalks, drying brown and papery when mature. 

Contain numerous winged, small black seeds. 

Shallow, fl eshy, densely matted and quite robust. 

Seed and tubers spread by water, wind, humans, 

contaminated soil (earthmoving equipment, car tyres etc) 

and garden refuse dumping. 


Foliar spray, Cut and Paint. 

This is a popular garden plant that needs 

active management in all gardens This may 

be as simple as actively removing spent 

fl ower stalks prior to seed set, or even 

better, complete removal from gardens. 


35


36 

Arum Lily 

Used extensively in fl oral arrangements all 

Zantedeschia species are highly toxic if eaten raw. 

They are known to have caused the deaths of 

cattle and children. All parts of the plant are toxic, 

Araceae and produce irritation and swelling of the mouth 

and throat, acute vomiting and diarrhoea. 

South Africa 

Erect, tuberous, evergreen perennial herb to 1.5m high. 

Arrowhead shaped, dark green leaves to 45cm long and 20cm 

wide borne at the ends of stout, smooth, succulent green stems 

to 75cm long and winged at the base. 

Pale Yellow spike to 9cm long surrounded by a pure white funnel 

shaped spathe to 25cm coming to a point. Winter-Summer. 

Berry, green or yellow maturing to orange 5-10mm long 

containing about 4 yellow-brown seeds. 

Fleshy tuberous rhizome. 

Rhizomes, cormlets and Seed is spread by water, humans, 





Zantedeschia aethiopica 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control:

Asparagus - Bridal Creeper 

Asparagus asparagoides 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Asparagaceae 

South Africa 

Widespread in Western Australia, South 

Australia and Victoria. It is also spreading in 

New South Wales and Tasmania. It has the 

potential to spread further and increase its 

density in all southern states. 

Wiry twinning climber to 3m in length and branch extensively. 

Stems emerge annually in autumn from a mat, 0-10cm deep. 

Bright green with alternate, fl attened, shiny, stems (leaf-like) 

that are pointed ovate shape and have parallel venation, 

leaves 4-30mm wide and 10-70mm long which occur along 

the length of wiry green stems. 

White, 6-petalled fl owers, 5-8mm in diameter, appear in 

early Spring. 

Pea-sized green berries turning pink then red/burgundy in late 

spring-early summer. Berries contain 1-9 seeds that are black 

when mature. 

Branching rhizomes that bear numerous fl eshy tubers. 

Seed spread by water, animals, birds, humans, contaminated 



Diffi cult to control – crowning, ensure that the crown is 

removed off site. Remove and bag berries. Follow-up – 

hand -pull all emerging seedlings. Foliar spray. 

Similar looking native species: Wombat Berry (Eustrephus latifolius) 


37


38 

Asparagus - Climbing 

Protasparagus plumosus 

Protasparagus setaceous 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Asparagaceae 

South Africa 

A very popular indoor plant because of its ability 

to withstand low light and neglect, this plant 

is naturalised in sheltered sites and rainforests 

infesting many hectares on the NSW coast. 

Tough, perennial, wiry, twining climbing vine with occasional 

spines and fi ne, feathery fern like foliage. 

Fine, feathery, leaf-like cladodes arranged in horizontal sprays. 

Flowers are small, greenish-white and arranged at the tips of 

branches in Summer. 

Bluish-green berries to 0.5cm across that turn black when ripe 

in Autumn. 

A tough, woody crown is forged at base of stems, with a 

comprehensive fl eshy root mass radiating out from the crown. 






hand-pull all emerging seedlings. Foliar spray.

Asparagus - Ground 

Protasparagus aethiopicus 

Protasparagus densifl orus 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Asparagaceae 

South Africa 

A very popular indoor/basket plant because of 

its ability to withstand low light and neglect. 

This plant is naturalised in sand dunes and 

rainforests infesting hundreds of hectares on 

the NSW coast. 

Herbaceous perennial, highly invasive, sprawling ground 

cover with wiry, much branched stems up to 2m. A tough, 

woody crown is formed at base of stems. Dense mats of 

branches will smother low native vegetation and suppress 

natural regeneration. 

Up to 2.5cm, bright green, ferny, leaf-like cladodes with a 

distinct midrib and abrupt point. 

Small, white to pale pink, bell shaped fl owers in clusters 

produced during Summer. 

Pale green berries that ripen to red in late winter early spring. 

Comprehensive and thick mat of tuberous roots spreading 

from crown. 




Diffi cult to control. When crowning, ensure that the crown is 


hand-pull all emerging seedlings. Foliar spray. 

Photo: Steve Howard 

39


40 

Asparagus - Culinary 

Asparagus offi cinalis Unlike most other weeds of this family the culinary 

asparagus is native to Europe not South Africa. 

It does however share many of its counter parts 

Family: Asparagaceae weedy traits such as developing succulent berries 

Origin: Europe 

and growing dense underground rhizomes and 

root mats. 

Habit: Grown for culinary purposes. Hardy perennial with robust spears 

and prolifi c fern like vegetative structures 1.5 to 2.0m tall. 

Leaves: Fine, feathery, leaf-like cladodes arranged in cylindrical sprays. 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Flowers are small, bell shaped, greenish-white and arranged at 

the base of branches in Summer. 

Bluish-green berries to 0.5cm across that turn red when 

ripe in Autumn. 

A tough, woody crown is forged at base of stems, with a 

comprehensive fl eshy root mass radiating out from the crown. 






hand-pull all emerging seedlings. Foliar spray. 

This is a popular vegetable 

garden plant that needs active 

management. This may be as simple 

as removing vegetative stalks prior 

to seed set, or as comprehensive as 

complete removal from gardens.

Canna Lily/Indian Shot 

Canna indica 

Canna x generalis 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Cannaceae 

Tropical 

and South 

America 

A very widely planted species that prefers wet 

boggy sites. Commonly used in septic tank 

absorption trenches. Garden refuse dumping and 

deliberate planting in reserves and wetland areas 

is the main problem. 

Erect, herbaceous perennial to 2m high with No true stems. 

Stems are a collection of tightly furled leaf bases. 

Dark green to multi coloured and striped, large (60 x 25cm), 

arranged alternately on stems. 

Tubular fl owers (yellows oranges, reds and pinks) formed in 

asymmetrical clusters. Spring-Autumn. 

Black, globular seeds (5-7mm long) borne in capsule, and 

spread by birds. 

Extensive, fl eshy rhizome formed underground. 

Seed and rhizomes spread by water, humans, contaminated 






4


2 

Elephants Ears/Taro 

Colocasia esculenta 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Plants such as these with fl eshy tuberous rhizomes, 

when established in moist areas become extremely 

Araceae 

heavy and diffi cult to remove. Do not let them 

establish outside of gardens. 

S.E. Asia, 

Hawaii, and the 

Pacifi c Islands 

Erect, rhizomatous tuberous, evergreen perennial herb to 

1.5m high. 

Heart shaped, dark green leaves to 60cm long prominently 

veined. Stem & leaf colour varies depending on variety of plant. 

Pale Yellow spike enclosed by a greenish yellow hood like spathe. 

Flowers Winter-Summer. 

Small berry, green or yellow maturing to orange 5-10mm long 

containing about 4 yellow-brown seeds. 

Fleshy tuberous rhizome. 

Roots, tubers and Seed is spread by water, humans, 




Foliar spray, Cut and Paint.

Fishbone Fern 

Nephrolepis cordifolia 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Davalliaceae 

North Eastern Australia 

Terrestrial fern that forms dense clumps of upright, arching fronds 

that resemble fi sh bones with erect rhizome and slender stolons. 

Compound fronds with opposite or alternate leafl ets, often 

over lapping at base, to 1m. Leafl ets to 6cm long. 

Nil. 

Spores carried in round, brown clusters (sori) that form in two 

rows on underside of frond. 

Erect, branching rhizomes above or below ground level, with 

wiry stolons bearing rounded, hairy tubers. 

Spores carried by water, wind and contaminated soil 

(tyres, earth works, people’s shoes, green waste dumping). 

Problematic in any damp, shady areas, where it will completely 

dominate ground cover layer. 


Foliar spray. 

Similar looking native species: Rasp 

Fern Doodia aspera and Sickle Fern 

Pellaea falcata. 

Once a popular basket and rockery plant 

because of its ability to withstand low light and 

neglect, this plant is naturalised throughout a 

large proportion of the NSW coast. 


43


4 

Formosa Lily 

Also known as Taiwan Lily, this plant is rapidly 

Lilium formosanum 

becoming a naturalised weed in many states 

of Australia infesting roadsides, disturbed 

areas, wastelands and even bushland. 

Family: Liliaceae 

Origin: Asia (Taiwan) 

Habit: Deciduous perennial herb with annual fl owering stalks 1-2m long. 

Leaves: Mid to dark green, elongated, linear, sessile leaves are arranged 

spirally or whirled along the stems. 

Flowers: Large trumpet shaped highly fragrant fl owers, pure white on 

the inside, pink or purple/brown stripes on the outside bearing 

prominent yellow anthers. Summer. 

Fruit: Copious papery winged seeds borne in a large capsule. 

Roots: Underground bulb with numerous fl eshy scales 

(resembling garlic). 

Dispersal: Seeds, bulbs and bulb scales spread by water, wind, humans, 



Control: Diffi cult. Hand dig, ensuring all scales are removed. Best done 

before fl owering. Extensive follow-up required. Remove and bag 

seed heads (capsules). Foliar sprays ineffective.

Ginger Lily 

Hedychium gardnerianum 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Zingiberaceae 

Himalayas 

Robust perennial herb 2-3m high with creeping underground 

stems (rhizomes) up to 1 metre long. 

About 40cm long and 15cm wide. Alternately arranged and 

lance-shaped with long-pointed tips. 

Yellow with red fi laments and very fragrant, in spike-like clusters, 

summer to autumn. 

Produces large amounts of seed. 

Large fl eshy rhizomes forming dense layers up to 1 metre thick. 

Garden dumping of stems. 

Photos: Rob Gleeson 

Large, spreading plant out-competes natives 

for light and moisture in moist habitats. Heavy 

and diffi cult to remove from bush. 

Remove underground stems from contact with the soil. 


45


46 

Montbretia 

Crocosmia x crocosmiifl ora 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Iridaceae 

This pretty bulb invades bushland, roadsides 

streams banks and even gardens. Tolerates 

full sun, moist areas, frost, shady and 

windy conditions. Takes over and displaces 

indigenous grasses and ground covers. 

South Africa 

Erect deciduous perennial herb to 0.9m. 

Basal linear strap like fl at leaves around 30-80cm long and 

1-2cm wide die down in autumn after producing its seeds, and 

reappear in Spring. 

Orange yellow tubular fl owers are formed solitary in spike 

infl orescences on short wispy unbranched stems during Summer. 

Produces large amounts of seed. 

Globular corms live and produce plants for two years or more, 

and new corms are formed annually, Long rhizomes are also 

produced, each of which grows into a new plant. 

Roots, rhizomes, corms and seed spread by humans, 



Diffi cult. Hand dig, ensuring all corms are removed. Extensive 

follow-up required. Foliar spray with penetrant when fl owering.

Mother of Millions 

Bryophyllum species 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Often confused with the Australian native 

Christmas Bells, this mat forming plant will 

grow under the poorest of conditions in areas 

such as a crack in a rock, gravel on the side of a 

Crassulaceae road or on cliff faces, sand dunes and pastures. 

Madagascar, South Africa 

Erect, smooth fl eshy succulent stems to 2m, with green- pink 

grey stems. 

Leaves vary depending on the species, but all are succulent 

either cylindrical or boat shaped and have many small teeth 

on the leaf tip or margins that produce new plantlets 

(vegetative reproduction). 

Produced in a cluster at the tip of long stems. Flowers are drooping, 

bell-shaped, orange-red to scarlet, 4-lobed to 2-3cm long. 

Flowers mainly Winter-Spring. 

Dry capsule, producing hundreds of tiny black seeds. Prolifi c seeder. 

Weak fi brous roots form from all vegetative parts. 

Main method of reproduction is vegetative where by stem 

fragments re-root. Human activities such as mowing/slashing and 

green waste dumping are the common method of vegetative 

spread. Seeds are spread by water and contaminated soil. 

Diffi cult. Hand pull/dig, bagging all plant parts and removing 

from site. Foliar spray. 


4


48 

Parrot Alstromoeria/Peruvian Lily 

Alstroemeria pulchella 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Spreads in shady sites near the coast, forming 

dense clumps. Expensive and diffi cult to 

Alstroemeria 

remove and takes up native habitat. 

Central and South America 

Erect perennial with numerous unbranched stems with 

spoon-shaped leaves to 1m high. Tuberous underground roots. 

Twisting from base 

Loose clusters 4-5cm across, red and green with black spots, 

at tops of stems. Fruit a capsule. 

Is a capsule. 

Slender rhizomes becoming crowns and tubers. 

Underground tubers spread underground. Fruit possibly eaten 

and spread by birds and or insects. 

Remove the entire plant including the roots. Cut individual 

stems near ground and paint with full strength herbicide. 

Follow up required. 

Photos: Rob Gleeson

Spanish Bayonet 

Yucca aloifolia 

Yucca species 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Agavaceae 

Commonly cultivated, found on roadsides and 

sand dunes. Very diffi cult to control due to spiny 

nature of plant creating impenetrable thickets. 

North & Central America and the West Indies 

Evergreen, herbacious, slow growing perennial shrub or small 

tree, forming large spiny rosettes of leaves. Often freely branched. 

Depending on species. Green-bluish grey fl eshy, linear to 

narrow-lanceolate, 0.3-1m long, 2-5cm wide, apex acute 

with terminal spine 10-20mm long, margins fi nely toothed, 

surfaces glabrous. 

Creamy white, multi fl owered panicle 1-3m long. 

Oblong purplish capsule, 6-8cm long, indehiscent (doesn’t open 

on its own accord at maturity); seeds black. 

Large, dense and fl eshy. 

Seed and vegetative reproduction where stem segments and leaf 

rosettes take root. Spread by humans, contaminated soil (earthmoving 


Hand or mechanical removal, cut and paint, drilling, foliar spray. 

All plant parts should be removed from site. 


49


50 

Wild Watsonia 

Once widely, but now rarely, planted as 

an ornamental. Major environmental 

weed of disturbed bushland and roadsides, 

particularly near water. Serious 

Iridaceae 

weed in WA, SA, Victoria and NSW. 

South Africa 

Erect perennial herb to 2m. 

Basal linear/Sword-shaped leaves up to 0.6m long with distinct 

midrib are arranged in a fan-like formation. Above ground parts 

dieback to underground corm each autumn. 

Curved trumpet shaped salmon pink to Orange red fl owers 

formed solitary in spike infl orescences on tall reddish 

unbranched stems. Spring-Summer. 

No seed set, but small bulbils are produced in clusters of up 

to 16 along the stem below the fl owers. 

Globular corm. 1-3 new corms produced each growing season. 

Roots, bulbils and corms spread by water, humans, 



Diffi cult. Hand pull/dig, ensuring all corms are removed. 

Extensive follow-up required. Remove and bag all bulbils. 

Foliar sprays available. 

Watsonia meriana variety bulbillifera 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control:

Grass Weeds 

The grassy weeds are commonly overlooked, however, exotic grass species are 

invading roadsides, reserves and bushland in Sydney and aggressively displace 

native ground covers. Although many of these species are desirable pasture 

grasses and turf grasses in home lawns, parks and playing fi elds, they are 

problematic bushland and garden weeds because they are capable of setting 

copious volumes of viable seed within a short time of germination. While 

many of these species only invade disturbed areas with adequate light levels, 

some of these species are also shade tolerant, and thus can invade intact 

bushland areas. 


Other Problematic Grass Weeds 

(Some of these species are declared noxious in different parts of Sydney) 


African Feather Grass Pennisetum macrourum 

African Love Grass Eragrostis curvula 

Bamboo Phyllostachys species 

Broadleaf Paspalum Paspalum wettsteinii 

Buffalo Grass Stenotaphrum secundatum 

Chilean Needle Grass Nassella neesiana 

Columbus Grass Sorghum x almum 

Common Couch Cynodon dactylon 

Coolatai Grass Hyparrhenia hirta, H. rufa 

Fine Bristled Burr Grass Cenchrus brownii 

Giant Pigeon Grass Setaria verticillata 

Giant Parramatta Grass Sporobolus fertilis 

Giant Paspalum Paspalum urvillei 

Giant Rats Tail Grass Sporobolus pyramidalis 

Giant Reed Arundo donax 

Grader Grass Themeda quadrivalvis 

Johnson Grass Sorghum halepense 

Kikuyu Pennisetum clandestinum 

Large Quaking Grass Briza maxima 

Mexican Feather Grass Nassella tenuissima 

Mossman River Grass Cenchrus echinatus 

Olive Hymenachne Hymenachne amplexicaulis 

Parramatta Grass Sporobolus africanus 

Red Natal Grass Melinis repens 

Rhodes Grass Chloris gayana 

Slender Pigeon Grass Setaria geniculata 

Spiny Burr Grass Cenchrus longispinus/C. incertus 


51


52 

Crimson Fountain Grass & Swamp Foxtail Grass 

Pennisetum setaceum 

Pennisetum alopecuroides 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Seed: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

A very popular landscape grass, it is an 

offence to sell, propagate or knowingly 

distribute Pennisetum setaceum. 

Poaceae 

Africa, Eastern Australia 

Tufted or clump-forming perennial grass to 1m. 

Thin leathery, arching leaves to 80cm long, with prominent veins. 

Infl orescence spike-like and feathery, purplish, at the end of 

long canes. Flowering time: Summer-Winter. P. setaceum – seed 

heads to 30cm long, P. alopecuroides – seed heads to 8cm long. 

Both species strongly self-seed. Some new varieties are claimed 

to have low seed viability. 

Fibrous and shallow. 

Seed spread by water, wind, humans, contaminated soil (earthmoving 


In bushland situations: Hand dig (bag seed heads), Foliar spray. 

In the garden: cut fl ower heads before seeding, bag and dispose 

of by deep burial at a waste management centre.

Liriope/Lily Turf 

Liriope species 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

A very popular garden plant that is 

used extensively in landscaping for its 

hardiness in extreme conditions. It is 

starting to become a problem in shaded 

Ruscaceae riparian areas. 

East Asia 

Clump forming and spreading, grass like perennial lily. 

Glossy dark green, narrow straplike, dense linear foliage from 

20-50cm long and then recurves toward the ground to form 

rounded clumps. 

Spikes of small purple, violet or white fl owers rise from the 

center of clumps. 

Black, pea sized berries, each containing one seed. 

Dense, fi brous root mass. Some species develop fl eshy tubers. 

Seed spread by water and humans via contaminated soil and 

garden refuse dumping. Spread locally by seed falling from plant 

and rhizomes 

In bushland situations: Hand dig (bag seed heads), Foliar spray. 

In the garden: cut fl ower heads before seeding, bag and dispose 

of by deep burial at a waste management centre. 


53


54 

Pampas Grass 

Cortaderia species 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Seed: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

A very popular garden plant in the 

1960’s and 1970’s, it is now found 

invading bushland, around Sydney and 

the Central Coast. 

Poaceae 

South America and New Zealand 

Large, long lived perennial tussock forming ornamental grass 

to 4.5m tall. 

Light green, up to 2m long and fi nely tapering with prominent 

midrib and sharp edges that will cut the skin. A rim of hairs (to 

3mm long) at leaf base (ligule). 

Large feathery heads on stems to 3m tall. White-biege 

(C. selloana), or pink-mauve (C. jubata). Up to 50 plumes 

formed on one mature plant. Both single sex and bisexual plants 

exist. Summer-Winter. 

Small (2mm), short-lived, up to 100,000 seeds set per plume. 

Strong fi brous root with rhizomes capable of re-shooting. 

Seed spread by water, wind, humans, contaminated soil 

(earthmoving equipment, car tyres etc) and garden 


Crowning, Slash and hand dig with mattock, Foliar spray. 

Bag all seed heads.

Panic Veldt Grass 

Ehrharta erecta 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Seed: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

An aggressive, perennial grass almost 

constantly in seed, Ehrharta spreads 

rapidly and smothers small native ground 

cover species. 

Poaceae 

South Africa 

Vigorous, shade-tolerant, rhizomatous and loosely tufted 

perennial grass, that will out-compete native ground covers in 

nearly all soil conditions. 

Bright green, fl at leaf blade with soft hairs on surface, to 

5-20cm long, 2-10mm wide, Stems rounded, prominent 

mid-vein on the underside of leaf.perennial grass, that will 

out-compete native ground covers in nearly all soil conditions. 

Infl orescences borne on stems, 10-80cm long and grow at any 

time during the year. The stem can be upright or curved, often 

branched near the base and sometimes tinged red. 

Profuse and rapid production of 3mm long and oval-shaped, 

shiny seeds. They range from immature green to a bleached, 

dry appearance. Seeding occurs every 6 weeks and viability 

approaches 100%. 

Relatively weak and fi brous, easily removed by hand. 

Seed spread by water, animals (mainly birds), humans, 



Hand pull/dig, bag all seed heads. Foliar spray. 

Similar looking native species: Weeping Meadow Grass (Microlaena stipoides). 


55

56 

Mexican Feather Grass 

Nassella tenuissima 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Seed: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Initially mislabelled and sold as an ornamental in 

Australia under the names Elegant Spear Grass, 

Poaceae Pony Tail and Angel’s Hair. Mexican Feather Grass 

needs to be prevented from naturalising in Australia. 

South America 

Drooping perennial tussock forming grass which grows in dense 

clumps. up to 0.8m in height. 

Leaf blades to 0.5mm wide, tightly rolled and with small 

serrations that can be felt when fi ngers are moved downward 

along the blade. Distinguished by hairless nodes, some usually 

visible; ligule membranous and hairless, to 2.5mm long. 

Seedhead: Young seedheads held among the leaves; mature 

seedhead to 25cm long; glumes purplish in the lower half to 

1cm long; callus bearded. Flowers summer. 

Lemma to 3mm long, awn narrow, straight or obscurely twice 

bent, 4.5-9cm long; attached centrally to the top of the lemma. 

Fibrous clump. 

Seed spread by water, animals, humans, contaminated soil (earthmoving 

equipment, slashers, mowers etc) and as an ornamental. 

Hand pull/dig, bag all seed heads. Foliar spray. 

This grass is a weed in its native range. If it naturalises in Australia it 

potentially has a wider range than Serrated Tussock. Mexican Feather 

Grass escaped from cultivation in New Zealand and has become a weed 

that is continuing to spread.

Shrub Weeds 

The shrub weeds are often the most prolifi c, because of the fact that they are 

a common addition to many home gardens. 

The main problem arises from the irresponsible dumping of garden waste in 

bushland and reserves bordering on home gardens and inadequate garden 

maintenance allowing plants to seed and spread to nearby areas via wind and 

water or in the droppings of fauna that have eaten them. 


Other Problematic Shrubs Weeds 


Butterfl y Bush* Buddleja davidii/Buddleja madagascariensis 

Castor Oil Plant Ricinus communis 

Cotton Bush Gomphocarpus fruticosus 

Elderberry Sambucus nigra 

Gorse Ulex europaeus (WoNS) 

Guavas Psidium guajava/Psidium cattleianum 

Hawthorns Crataegus species 

Milk Wort/Purple Broom Polygala myrtifolia, P. virgata 

Montpellier Broom Genista monspessulana 

Orange Jessamine* Murraya paniculata (seed grown species) 

Oleander* Nerium oleander (single fl owering species) 


57


58 

Cassia/Winter Senna 

Senna pendula var. glabrata 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Caesalpiniaceae 

Another similar Senna species is Senna 

fl oribunda which is characterised by a more 

pointed leaf. 

South America 

A straggly, multi-stemmed evergreen shrub 1-3m high. 

Stems brown and woody with thin cambium layer. 

Leaves are compound, with 3-8 pairs of opposite leafl ets. 

There is a raised gland between the lowest pair of leafl ets. 

Bright yellow, to 3cm, produce in large numbers, with 

protruding stamens. Flowers March/April. 

Cylindrical green bean-like pods, 10-20cm long, each containing 

20-40 seeds. Pods turn brown and desiccate when ripe. 

Woody, branching and relatively shallow. Will re-shoot from any 

root stock left in the ground. 

Seed spread by water, animals (foxes, rats & birds), humans, 



Hand pull/dig juvenile plants, cut and paint, scrape and paint 

and paint or foliar spray adult plants.

Coral Berry 

A common indoor plant due to its low 

Ardisia crenata 

light requirements. Is recorded as weedy 

from the Mullumbimby area in Northern 

Family: Myrsinaceae 

NSW to Sydney. 

Origin: NE India, China to Japan 

Habit: Evergreen, compact shrub 1-2m high with a bushy head. 

Leaves: Dark glossy green above, paler and dull below, elliptic to slightly 

oblanceolate, 5-12cm long,1.5-3.5cm wide; margins serrated 

and crinkled. 

Flowers: Infl orescence is a many-fl owered, umbel. Flowers rather 

inconspicuous, white and starry, petals 4mm long. 

Summer – Autumn. 

Fruit: Scarlet red globose berry, 5-8mm diam. Long lasting usually 

persisting through Winter. 

Roots: Shallow and fi brous. 

Dispersal: Seed spread by water, animals (foxes, rats & birds), humans, 



Control: Hand pull/dig, scrape and paint, foliar spray. 


59


60 

Cotoneaster 

Cotoneaster species 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

At least nine species of Cotoneaster 

have naturalised in Australia. There are 

numerous native alternatives available 

which will attract birds to the garden 

Malaceae (often included in Rosaceae) 

China, Asia 

Evergreen shrub or small tree to 4m high usually with 

arching branches. 

Varying with species but, usually elliptic to ovate 1.5-4cm wide, 

green above paler or silvery below. Young growth 

often woolly. 

White clusters. Each fl ower about 8mm wide, 5-petalled. 

Flower stalk densely hairy. Spring and summer. 

Red fl eshy fruit (pome) 6-10mm long, almost globe-shaped. 

Containing 2 yellowish, fl attened seeds. 

Substantial woody tap and latteral root system. 



garden refuse dumping. The main problem is that people plant 

Cotoneaster to attract birds to the garden. 

Hand pull/dig juvenile plants. Cut and Paint or Scrape and Paint 

mature plants.

Indian Hawthorn 

Rhaphiolepsis indica 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

A commonly cultivated garden plant 

especially in coastal areas due to its ability 

to tolerate drought conditions. Less weedy 

or sterile cultivars may be available. 

Malaceae 

Asia, especially India and southern China 

Drought hardy, evergreen, low growing, spreading shrub 

to 1-1.5m high. 

Dark green on top, paler below; thick, leathery, serrated, ovate 

to elliptic or obovate, 3-7cm long, 5-30mm wide, pubescent 

or hairy at fi rst, sharply toothed. 

Panicle of star shaped fl owers 10mm diam. Petals are white 

or pink, with fi ve petals, and may be lightly fragrant. 

Blue-black pome fruits each containing 1 or 2 seeds. 

Extensive lateral, woody and relatively deep. 

Seed spread by animals (mainly birds), humans, contaminated 



Hand pull/dig, cut and paint, foliar spray. 


61


62 

Mickey Mouse Plant 

Ochna serrulata 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

The long tap root makes manual removal 

extremely diffi cult. This plant seeds heavily 

Ochnaceae 

in bushland areas. 

South Africa 

A dense evergreen shrub 2-4m high with rough stems. 

Bark has numerous lenticels (corky spots) protruding outwardly. 

Alternately arranged oblong to lanceolate leaves to 6cm 

long, glossy green on both surfaces, slightly paler below. 

Leaf margins fi nely serrated and often wavy, new growth is 

reddish-brown in colour. 

Yellow with 5 petals in Spring-Summer. Green calyx turns red 

after petals drop and fruit matures. 

Succulent green berries to 8mm across, in clusters of 4-6. 

Ripen to black in Summer. Each berry contains a single seed. 

Strong tap-root formed, with characteristic kink that renders 

it susceptible to breaking. Will reshoot form any root stock 

left in ground. 




Hand pull/dig juvenile plants. Scrape and Paint. *Hard to kill.

Pigeon Berry/Golden Dewdrop 

Duranta erecta cultivars 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

This new vogue plant to the Sydney region has 

become naturalised in some areas. It requires 

active management in all gardens. 

Verbenaceae 

West Indies, Central and South America 

A straggly evergreen shrub 1-5m high with drooping branches 

and sharp spines. 

The ovate leaves are 2.5-7.6cm long and arranged on the stem 

in pairs opposite each other, or in whorls of three. 

Showy infl orescences bloom almost all year long in terminal 

or lateral racemes up to 15cm long. The individual fl owers are 

tubular with fi ve petals, white, light blue, violet or purple, and 

spread out at the mouth about 1cm across. 

Spherical yellow berry to 1.5cm in diameter borne in 

showy hanging bunches. 

Substantial tap and lateral root system. 


contaminated soil (earthmoving equipment, car tyres etc) 

and garden refuse dumping. 

Hand pull/dig. Cut and Paint or Scrape and Paint, foliar spray. 


63

Tree Weeds 

64 


The tree weeds are often the most obvious, simply by virtue of the fact that 

they occupy a large area in an ecosystem. 

Because of the sheer size many of these plants can attain, it makes them one 

of the most costly and diffi cult group of plants to treat or remove. 

Tree weeds add to the demise of forests and riparian areas. 


Other Problematic Trees Weeds 


African Tulip Tree Spathodea campanulata 

Athel Pine Tamarix species (WoNS) 

Black Locust Robinia psuedoacacia varieties 

Broadleaf Pepper Tree Schinus terebinthifolius 

Cadaghi Gum Corymbia torelliana 

Canary Island Date Palm Phoenix canariensis 

Chinese Rain Tree Koelutaria species 

Coffee Tree Coffea arabica 

Cootamundra Wattle Acacia baileyana 

Golden Willow Wattle Acacia saligna 

Honey Locust Gleditsia triacanthos varieties 

Ice Cream Bean Inga edulis 

Jacaranda Jacaranda mimosifolia 

Leucaena Leucaena leucocephala 

Loquat Eriobotrya japonica 

Mount Morgan Wattle Acacia podalyrifolia 

Night Scented Jasmine Cestrum nocturnum 

Norfolk Island Hibiscus Lagunaria patersonia 

Princess Tree Paulownia fortunei, Paulownia tomentosa 

Privet – Small leaf/Large leaf Ligustrum lucidium, Ligustrum sinense 

Radiata Pine/Slash Pine Pinus radiata, Pinus eliottii 

Rhus Tree Toxicodendron succedaneum 

Tagasaste Chamaecytisus palmensis 

Tung Oil Tree Aleurites fordii 

Willows* Salix species (WoNS) (Some exemptions apply)

African Olive & European Olive 

Olea europaea sub species africana 

Olea europaea sub species europa vars. 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Oleaceae 

Mediterranean region 

of Europe, Portugal, 

South Africa 

One of the most signifi cant threats 

to the last remnants of Cumberland 

Plain woodlands in the Sydney region. 

Threatens ecosystems in Sydney North. 

Forms dense monocultures beneath 

which no other vegetation remains. 

Hard to remove mature trees. 

Much branched evergreen tree 5-15m high with drooping 

branchlets. Thin greyish bark covered by protruding lenticels. 

Narrow, lance-shaped leaves 5-10cm long and up to 2cm wide 

with prominent midrib and recurved tip, dark green on upper 

surface, African: yellowish-brown on lower surface. 

European: silvery-grey on lower surface. 

Small white to cream or greenish tubular fl owers forming in 

racemes at branch tips. Spring-Summer. 

Green berries that ripen to purplish-black in summer. African: 

round 1-2cm in diameter. European: oval shaped 2-5cm long. 

Substantial tap root that gives rise to many laterals. Will re-shoot 

from any root stock left in ground. 




Hand dig/pull juvenile plants. Cut and Paint or Scrape and Paint, 

foliar spray. Bag and dispose of all berries. 


65


66 

Camphor Laurel 

Cinnamomum camphora 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Once a common park and shade tree, now 

extensively naturalised, Camphor Laurels are 

now listed as Noxious in many areas of NSW. 

Lauraceae 

China, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam and Cheju-do (Korea) 

A large, hardy evergreen spreading tree 20-30m in height. 

Grey-brown, textured bark, becoming fi ssured with age. 

Leaves 5-11cm long, ovate, glossy on upper surface; dull and 

chalky on lower surface. 3 main veins arise from petiole joint at 

base of leaf. Strong camphor smell when crushed. 

Infl orescence a panicle. Flowers Small, white, produced in 

clusters in Spring. 

Glossy green spherical berry to 1cm wide, ripen to black in late 

autumn. Each berry contains one seed. 

Strong root system capable of copicing and suckering. 




Hand dig/pull juvenile plants. Various foliar spray methods also 

drill-injection; frilling; cut and paint. Diffi cult to control. 

Planted in eastern Australian 1854 as a shade and street tree in school yards, 

playgrounds, cemeteries, parks and agriculturally. It has naturalised from the 

Nowra region to north Queensland, in areas of high annual rainfall.

Chinese Celtis/Hackberry 

Celtis sinensis 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Ulmaceae 

China, Korea and Japan 

Large semi-deciduous 

Seedlings quickly establish in disturbed 

areas in a wide range of soils forming 

a dense monostorey. Prevents native 

regrowth. Widespread weed near 

coastal rainforest. 

tree to 20m losing its dense canopy in the winter months. 

Oval shaped leaves 4.5-9cm long with a pointed tip and toothed 

margins along the upper half. Sparse hairs along the midvein. 

Early summer. Copious amounts of round green fruits turn 

orange in late summer/early autumn. 

Copious quantities round green fruits turn orange/red 

in Autumn. 

Extensive lateral root system 

Large fruit eating birds (Currawongs, Indian Mynas etc) and 

bats spread the seed. Also transported by water. 

Seedlings can be hand pulled. Large areas can be sprayed with a 

glyphosate-herbicide. Stems of larger plants can be scraped and 

painted or drilled, and glyphosate applied. Plants may sucker if cut. 

Photos: Terry Inkson 


67

68 

Cockspur Coral Tree 

Erythrina crista-galli 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Commonly cultivated, becoming widely naturalized, 

especially in coastal districts along drains and streams. 

Removal of this species is highly recommended. 

Fabaceae 

Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay 

Deciduous tree to 5-9m taking on a gnarled appearance with 

age, bark is covered with large curved prickles. 

Compound trifoliate leaves with prickles on stems. 

Very large spikes 30-40cm long of bright scarlet or coral-red pea 

like bird attracting fl owers in Spring-Summer. 

Long green pods age brown and open with a twist revealing 

large, hard, bean like seeds. 

Substantial tap and lateral root system capable of invading 

plumbing pipes. Will sucker from root fragments left in ground. 

Branches should not be left on the ground as they can re-grow 

into new plants. 

Vegetation & seed spread by water, animals, humans, 



Hand dig/pull juvenile plants. Various foliar spray methods also 

drill-injection; frilling; cut and paint. Very diffi cult to control. 

Has the potential to invade natural areas such 

as hind-dunes, rainforests, wetlands creeks, 

and saltmarshes.

Coral Tree 

Erythrina x sykesii 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Grows readily from fallen branches, and should 

never be used as mulch. Has the potential 

to invade natural areas such as hind-dunes, 

rainforests, wetlands, creeks, and saltmarshes. 

Fabaceae 

Uncertain 

Deciduous tree 10-15m high by 15-20m wide with a dense 

rounded canopy, short stout truck and ascending branches with 

smooth greenish bark, and rose like thorns. Very brittle branches 

are shed when windy. 

Compound; tri-foliolate; leafl ets triangular to obovate, 7-20cm 

long, 7-12cm wide mid green. 

Racemes usually 8-30cm long and erect bearing up to 30-scarlet 

red pea like fl owers. Most of year but mainly Winter – Spring. 

Nil. 

Substantial tap and lateral root system capable of invading 

plumbing pipes. Will sucker from root fragments left in ground. 

Branches should not be left on the ground as they can re-grow 

into new plants. 

Vegetation spread by water and humans via garden refuse 

dumping. It is so easy to grow even woodchips can take root. 

Hand dig/pull small plants. Various foliar spray methods also 

drill-injection; frilling; cut and paint. Very diffi cult to control. 


69


70 

Golden Wreath Wattle/ Willow Wattle 

Acacia saligna 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Fast growing, high generation rates 

compete with local native species. 

Seed dormancy up to 20 years. 

Fabaceae 

Southwest Western Australia 

Medium shrub to 10m x 6m. Grey bark smooth or fi nely 

fi ssured. Pendulous branches often blue-grey when young. 

Phyllodes leathery with a prominent mid-vein. Bright yellow ball 

fl owers in spring develop into smooth brown pods. 

Bright yellow ball fl owers in spring develop into smooth 

brown pods. 

Narrow pods up to 0.5cm wide and 8-12cm long 

Extensive horizontal and vertical root system 

Planted for dune rehabilitation and road side planting. 

Birds carry seeds into bushland. 

Cut and paint trees; pull young specimens. Burn large areas 

of infestation to stimulate regrowth.

Tree of Heaven 

Ailanthus altissima 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

A hardy plant with a deep root system and 

forms dense thickets. 

Simaroubaceae 

China 

Deciduous suckering shrub or tree to 15m. 

9-21 opposite pairs of strongly veined, ovate leafl ets with a 

smaller leaf at the tip. Leafl ets have a conspicuous gland that 

produces an unpleasant smell when crushed. 

Male and female fl owers appear in clusters on separate plants 

in summer. 

Seeds are covered in a fl attened wing, green turning reddish. 

Deep tap roots, a maze of lateral roots. 

Seed and suckers. Once planted around rural buildings. 

Scrape and paint stems. Drill trunks of larger specimens. 

Photo: Rob Gleeson 


7


2 

Willow 

Salix cinerea 

Salix nigra & other Salix species 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Introduced to Australia to help stabilise 

creek banks and roadsides, willows are 

now actively displacing native riparian 

vegetation, altering creek fl ows and 

destroying habitat. Potential invaders 

of wetlands. 

Salicaceae 

Eurasia, North Africa, North America 

Rapidly growing deciduous trees 10 to 20m some with single 

trunks, others multi-stemmed, end branches shiny and reddish, 

very pliable. 

Can be droopy or not, shiny green on both sides, 

narrow and serrated. 

Spikes (‘catkins’) appear in spring. Plants male or female. 

Tiny seeds. 

Extensive lateral root system. Can re-shoot from broken bits. 

Wind dispersed seed. Sometimes branches on ground sucker. 

Stem injection of each aerial trunk with small seedlings up to 

1 metre able to be hand pulled. 

Photos: Reece Luxton

Yellow Bells 

Tecoma stans 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Popular because of its magnifi cent fl oral display, 

On the increase on roadsides and disturbed 

bushland. Easy to grow, plants are often sold at 

local fetes or backyard traded. 

Bignoniaceae 

Central and South America. Mexico, Peru and Equador 

Evergreen many branched shrub or small tree 4-7m high. 

Compound leaves to 8-25cm long, comprised of 5-13 leafl ets. 

Leafl ets are toothed and pointed, 2.5-10cm long and 

8-30mm wide. 

Large clusters of showy, bright yellow trumpet-shaped fl owers 

in Spring-Summer. Formed at the branch tips and forks. 

Green bean like seed pods aging brown, 10-22cm long x 

20mm wide produced from spring to autumn, each containing 

numerous winged seeds. 

Substantial tap root that gives rise to many laterals. 

Seed spread by water, wind, humans, contaminated soil 

(earthmoving equipment, car tyres etc) and garden 


Hand Dig juvenile plants. Cut and Paint or Scrape and Paint. 

Bag and dispose of all seed pods. 


73

Water Weeds 

4 


Aquatic weeds are plants that invade watercourses, dams and wetlands. 

These weeds are extremely detrimental to the aquatic environment, where 

they choke waterways, alter oxygen levels and reduce light penetration. 

Most of the water weeds have originated from backyard fi sh ponds or 

home aquariums and have been accidentally released into the environment. 

They have been further spread by deliberate seeding of waterways by 

black market plant traders and spread between farm dams via fi sh, yabbie 

and eel traps. 

Water weeds may be spread either by vegetation from plant fragments and/or 

by seed depending on the plant. Once established, water weeds are diffi cult 

to eradicate and may require a combination of controls methods including 

chemical, biological treatments as well as physical or mechanical removal. 

Water weed control is time-consuming, expensive work and usually requires 

many follow-up sessions. 

The key to water weed control is early detection and to prevent their movement 

into uninfested waterways. If you think you might have any of the following 

water weeds, contact your council’s weeds offi cer for expert identifi cation, 

advice and assistance in preparing a control plan. 


Other Problematic Water Weeds 


Arrowhead Sagittaria montevidensis 

Anchored Water Hyacinth Eichhornia azurea 

Bog Moss Mayaca fl uviatilis 

Dense Water Weed Egeria densa 

East Indian Hygrophila Hygrophila polysperma 

Elodea Elodea canadensis 

Eurasian Water Milfoil Myriophyllum spicatum 

Horse Tails Equisetum species 

Hydrilla Hydrilla verticillata 

Peruvian Primrose Ludwigia peruviana 

Lagerosiphon Lagerosiphon major 

Sagittaria Sagittaria platyphylla (WoNS) 

Salvinia Salvinia molesta (WoNS) 

Senegal Tea Gymnocoronis spilanthoides 

Water Primrose Ludwigia peploides sub species montevidensis 

Water Soldier Stratiotes aloides 

Yellow Burrhead Limnocharis fl ava

Alligator Weed 

Often confused with other species of 

Alternanthera (Joy weeds), Water Primrose 

(Ludwigia species), or Smartweeds, 

(Persicaria species) Diffi cult to identify in 

Amaranthaceae dense vegetation and when not in fl ower. 

South America 

Perennial with mostly hairless surface stems that root at the 

nodes stoloniferous and underground stems producing shoots 

& roots (rhizomatous). Can form dense mats in or out of water. 

Glossy green lance shaped leaves arranged in opposite pairs on 

hollow stems. Terrestrial plants can have reddish stems. 

White, cylindrical to globe-shaped, papery, pom-pom like heads on 

stalks to 9cm long that arise from the leaf-stem junction. Summer. 

Viable seed not recorded in Australia. 

Extensive underground rooting system to 1m deep. 

Vegetation spread by water, humans, animals (live stock), 

contaminated soil, earth moving machinery, boats and turf, 

Also spread by its misguided use as a culinary herb. 

Mechanical and manual removal, foliar spray. Contact your local 

weed offi cer. 

Alternanthera philoxeroides 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves & 

Stems: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

One of Australia’s worst aquatic weeds. Adapted to growing on damp 

land, occasionally fl ooded land, in shallow water (rooted in the substrate), 

attached to the bank (in deep water) or free fl oating. Will survive for 

a few days in sea strength salinity and thrive in 10% sea strength 

(3,500 mg/I) saline water. 


75

76 

Longleaf Willow Primrose 

Ludwigia longifolia 

Family: 

Origin: 

Habit: 

Leaves: 

Flowers: 

Fruit: 

Roots: 

Dispersal: 

Control: 

Onagraceae 

South America from 

Brazil to Argentina 

Introduced to Australia as a garden ornamental 

and fi rst recorded as naturalised 

near Sydney in 1991. Capable of producing 

up to 2.5 million seed per plant 

and 10 million seeds per square meter. 

Spring/Summer growing, woody, perennial, single stemmed or 

multi branched, erect, shrub ranging from 0.5m to 2.5m tall. Red, 

narrow, angular stems with unusual wing like characteristics. 

Simple, dark green linear to lanceolate/oblanceolate, up to 15cm 

long and 2.5cm wide, reducing in size up the stem. 

Solitary, 40-50mm across with 4 yellow petals, prominently 

ribbed, found in the junction of leaves and stems. Summer-winter. 

Sharply 4 angled, oblong to narrow oblong 10-40mm long, 

4-8mm wide. Unripe - green to red/green with prominent 

triangular sepals. Ripe - brown, papery and desiccated each 

containing around 7000 sawdust-like seeds. 

Stout taproot and dense lateral roots. 

Vegetation and seed spread by water, wind, animals, birds, 

humans, contaminated soil, earth moving machinery and garden 


Hand dig/pull juvenile plants and remove as stems readily grow 

from cuttings, Scrape and Paint, foliar spray. No chemicals 

are registered for use on this plant, but an off label permit is 

available for spraying biactive Glyphosate. Contact your local 

weed offi cer.

Help Protect Your Local Environment 

Much of the bushland, reserves and creeks in the Sydney Region is 

managed by local councils, National Parks and Wildlife Services, and 

other government authorities. 

These important natural assets often contain endangered ecological communities (EEC) and 

are invaluable for preservation of our native fl ora and fauna. 

With limited resources the organisations managing these lands are trying to protect 

the most precious areas of biodiversity with regular maintenance programs that include 

bush regeneration, vegetation management and weed control. However resources are not 

suffi cient to ensure that all weeds can be controlled at all times. 

The public can greatly assist in this effort to protect and enhance the original native vegetation 

in these areas. As a local resident you can use the advice in this booklet to manage the 

plants on your land. You can also get involved in work to regenerate your local native 

environment as a bushcare volunteer in your local area. Your local council can provide details 

on how to join. 

How can you HELP? 

Get to KNOW your local environment. 

Walking trails are a great start or you 

could join a local Bushcare or 

Streamwatch Group 

In your garden, select plants that are 

native to your area. LOCAL NATIVE 

plants establish quickly, and require less 

water and maintenance. Select native 

plants that attract more birds and 

local wild life. 

RECYCLING garden refuse and plant 

debris will improve your garden 

environment. 

COMPOST your plant and kitchen green 

refuse and use it for your own garden. 

Domestic cats and dogs often prey on 

native birds and animals in bushland. 

Placing a RINGING BELL on your pet’s 

collar can help to minimise this. 

If your property is adjacent to a creek 

or stormwater channel, you will need 

to CONSULT your local council, the 

Department of Water and Energy 

and Sydney Water for guidance when 

undertaking building or major 

landscaping work. 

Simple things you can AVOID doing for 

the benefi t of your local environment 

ENSURE that the exotic plants you 

choose for your garden do not protrude 

or escape from your yard and infest 

bushland. Many have the potential 

to cause signifi cant damage to the 

environment and wild life in the area. 

AVOID clearing any area of bushland. 

Most native trees and bushland are 

protected. Even a single tree is valuable 

and plays an important role in the 

natural ecosystem in your area 

DUMPING of rubbish and building 

materials in bushland, creeks and 

stormwater channels is illegal and 

causes signifi cant damage to the area 

around you. Report all dumping to 

your local council. 

AVOID building or developing on land 

that does not belong to you. A minor 

expansion of your yard into public 

land can cause damage and access 

diffi culties. 

NEVER drop any tree or lawn clippings 

in bushland. They can cause weeds to 

infest the bushland and creek systems. 

Help Protect Your Local Environment 

7

Common Plant Parts 

78 

Common Plant Parts 

The following diagram describes the most common 

parts of plants found in this booklet 

Illustration taken from: Effi cient Weed Management, Protecting your investment in the 

land. (adapted from Healy 1982)

Bibliography & Further Reading 

Weeds 

Australian Weed Control Handbook (10th ed’n), J.M. Parsons & R.G. Richardson (eds.), 

Inkata Press, 1995. 

Noxious and Environmental Weed Control Handbook, A guide to weed control in 

non-crop, aquatic and bushland situations Rod Ensbey et al NSW DPI. 

Bush Invaders of S.E. Australia, A. Muyt, RG & FJ Richardson Publishing, 2001. 

Effi cient Weed Management, Protecting your investment in the land, Darren Bayley, 

NSW DPI, CB Alexander Agricultural College, Tocal 2001. 

Identifying the Weeds Around You, (2nd ed’n) E.M. Felfoldi, Inkata Press, 1993. 

Noxious Weeds of Australia (revised) W.T.Parsons & E.G. Cuthbertson (eds.), CSIRO 

Publishing, 2001. 

Waterplants in Australia: Australian Water Weeds, G.R. Sainty & S.W.L. Jacobs, Sainty 

& Associates, 1992. 

Weeds: An Illustrated Botanical Guide to the Weeds of Australia, B.A. Auld 

& R.W. Medd, Inkata Press, 1992. 

Feral Future, The untold story of Australia’s exotic invaders.; Tim Low, 

Penguin Books Australia, 2001. 

Identifi cation of weeds and clovers, (3rd ed’n); AJ Healy, New Zealand Weed and Pest 

Control Society 1982. 

WEEDS OF THE SOUTH-EAST – an identifi cation guide for Australia; F.J. Richardson, R.G. 

Richardson and R.C.H. Shepherd 2nd edition, 2011. R.G. and F.J. Richardson publishing. 

Native Flora 

Australian Rainforest Plants, Vol 1 - 4, N & H Nicholson, Terania Rainforest Publishing, 2004. 

Climbing Plants In Australia, David L. Jones & Bruce Gray, Reed Books Pty Ltd 1988. 

Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney, L. Robinson, Kangaroo Press, 2003. 

Flora of New South Wales, Vols. 1 - 4, G. Harden (ed), NSW University Press, 1990 – 1993. 

Wildfl owers of the North Coast of NSW, B. Kemp, Reed New Holland, 2004. 

Key guide: Australian wildfl owers revised edition, Leonard Cronin, Envirobook. 

Bush Regeneration 

Bringing Back the Bush, Joan Bradely. Ed. by J. Larking, A. Lenning & J. Walker, 

Lansdowne Press, 1997. 

Restoring Natural Areas in Australia, Robin.A. Buchanan, 2009. NSW Dept. Industry 

& Investment. 

The National Trust Bush Regenerators’ Handbook (3rd edn.), National Trust of 

Australia (NSW), 2010. 

Bibliography 

79

Plant Me Instead 

80 


Below is a list of native plants that can be used safely for similar 

purposes, i.e. as vine or groundcover, tree or shrub. 

Vines & Scamblers 

Bower Vine (Pandorea jasminoides)* 

Broad-leaf Bramble (Rubus hillii) 

Clematis (Clematis aristata) 

Dusky Coral Pea (Kennedia rubicunda) 

Guinea Flower (Hibbertia scandens) 

Native Passionfl ower (Passifl ora herbertiana) 

Native Wisteria (Indigofera australis) 

Old Man’s Beard (Clematis aristata) 

Pearl Vine (Sarcopetalum harveyanum) 

Purple Coral Pea (Hardenbergia violacea) 

Rose-leaf Bramble (Rubus rosifolius) 

Scrambling Lily (Geitonopleisum cymosum) 

Shining Grape (Tetrastigma nitens) 

Small Supplejack (Ripopogon fawcettianum) 

Snake Vine (Stephania japonica) 

Sweet Morinda (Morinda jasminoides) 

Twining Glycine (Glycine clandestine) 

Water Grape (Cissus antarctica) 

Water Vine (Five leaf) (Cissus hypoglauca) 

Wombat Berry (Eustrephus latifolius) 

Wonga Vine (Pandorea pandorana) 

Grasses 

Barb Wire Grass (Cymbopogon refractus) 

Basket Grass (Oplismenus aemulus) 

Gymea Lily (Doryanthes excelsa)* 

Kangaroo Grass (Themeda australis) 

Large Tussock Grass (Poa labillardieri) 

Mat Rush (Lomandra longifolia) 

Narrow Leaf Palm Lily (Cordyline stricta) 

Plume Grass (Dichelachne crinite) 

Saw Sedge (Gahnia species) 

Spear Lily (Doryanthes palmeri)* 

Ferns & Orchids 

Birds Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus) 

Bungwahl Fern (Blechnum indicum) 

Elk Horn (Platycerium bifurcatum) 

Maiden Hair Fern (Adiantum aethiopicum) 

Pink Rock Orchid (Dendrobium kingianum) 

Rasp fern (Doodia aspera) 

Rock Lily (Dendrobium speciosum) 

Rough Maiden Hair Fern (Adiantum 

hidpidulum) 

Rough Tree Fern (Cyathea australis) 

Ground covers, Bulbous 

& Herbaceous Plants 

Blue Flax Lily (Dianella caerulea) 

Bush Peas (Pultanaea scabra, P. microphylla) 

Christmas Bells (Blandfl ordia nobilis) 

Cunjevoi Lily (Alocasia brisbanensis) 

Cut-Leafed Daisy (Brachyscome multifi da) 

Darwinia (Darwinia leptantha) 

Dwarf Correas (Correa species) 

Everlasting Daisies (Chrysocephalum species, 

Rhodanthe species, Bracteantha species) 

Everlasting Daisy (Helichrysum elatum) 

Fan Flower (Scaevola calendulacea) 

Flannel Flower (Actinotus helianthi) 

Flannel Flower (Actinotus minor) 

Jacobean Lily (Sprekelia formossissima) 

Kidney Weed (Dichondra repens) 

Love Flower (Pseuderanthemum variable) 

Low growth habit Grevilleas – e.g. 

‘Pink Lady’ 

Midgen Berry (Austromyrtus dulcis) 

Native Fuchsia (Correa refl exa) 

Native Fuschia (Epacris longifl ora) 

Native Ginger (Alpinia caerulea) 

Native Violet (Viola hederacea species 

hederacea) 

Purple Flag Iris (Patersonia sericea) 

Sand Pigface (Carpobrotus glaucescens) 

Saw Hedge (Gahnia sieberana) 

Scarlet Mint Bush (Prostanthera 

aspalathoides) 

Scurvy Weed (Commelina cyanea) 

Slender Rice Flower (Pimelea linifolia) 

Swamp Lily (Crinum pedunculatum) 

Tassel Sedge (Carex fascicularis) 

Tufted Blue Lily (Thelionema caespitosum) 

Water-ferns (Blechnum species) 

White Native Fuchsia (Correa alba) 

Woolly Frogmouth (Philydrum lanuginosum) 

Shrubs 

Boobialla (Myoporum boninense 

ssp australe) 

Bleeding Heart (Omolanthus populifolius) 

Breynia (Breynia oblongifolia) 

Broad-Leaf Geebung (Persoonia levis)

Nursery & Garden 

Industry of NSW & ACT 

has produced a useful booklet called 

“Grow Me Instead”, 

as a guide for gardeners and 

landscapers in NSW. 

Shrubs (continued) 

Broad-leaf Wedge Pea (Gompholobium 

latifoium) 

Coastal Canthium (Canthium coprosmoides) 

Coastal Tea Tree (Leptospermum laevigatum) 

Coastal Bearded Heath (Leucopogon 

parvifl orus) 

Coastal Rosemary (Westringia fruticosa) 

Coastal Wattle (Acacia longifolia var. 

sophorae) 

Dog Rose (Bauera microphylla) 

Elderberry Panax (Polyscias sambucifolius) 

Hairy Pittosporum (Pittosporum revolutum) 

Hairpin Banksia (Banksia spinulosa) 

Heath Banksia (Banksia ericifolia) 

Native Peach (Trema aspera) 

Native Senna (Senna acclinis) 

Rice Flower (Ozothamnus diosmifolius) 

Sydney Golden Wattle (Acacia longifolia) 

Wedding Bush (Ricinocarpus pinifolius) 

Willow-Leaf Hakea (Hakea salicifolia)* 

Trees 

Alexander Palm (Archontophoenix 

alexandrae)* 

Bangalow Palm (Archontophoenix 

cunninghamiana) 

Black She-Oak (Allocasuarina littoralis) 

Black Wattle (Acacia decurrens) 

Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon) 

Blue Lily Pilly (Syzygium oleosum) 

Blueberry Ash (Eleocarpus reticulatus) 

Broad-Leaf Paperbark (Melaleuca 

quinquenervia) 

Trees (continued) 

Brush Box (Lophostemon confertus) 

Brush Cherry (Syzygium australe) 

Cabbage Tree Palm (Livistona australis) 

Celerywood (Polyscias elegans) 

Cheese Tree (Glochidion ferdinande) 

Christmas Bush (Ceratopetalum 

gummiferum) 

Coastal Banksia (Banksia integrifolia) 

Elderberry Panas (Polyscias sambuccifolia) 

Forest She-Oak (Allocasuarina torulosa) 

Grey Myrtle (Backhousia myrtifolia) 

Hickory Wattle (Acacia implexa) 

Lemon-Scented Myrtle (Backhousia 

citriodora)* 

Lily Pilly (Acmena smithii) 

Lily Pilly (Syzygium paniculatum) 

Morton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla) 

Native Frangipani (Hymenosporum fl avum) 

Native Olive (Olea paniculata) 

Parramatta Wattle (Acacia parramattensis) 

Plum Pine (Podocarpus elatus) 

Port Jackson Fig (Ficus rubiginosa) 

Red Ash (Alphitonia excelsa) 

Sandpaper Fig (Ficus coronata & F. fraseri) 

Satinwood (Phebalium squameum) 

Saw Banksia (Banksia serrata) 

Small-Leaf Fig (Ficus obliqua) 

Tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis anacardioides) 

Wallum Banksia (Banksia aemula) 

Water Gum (Tristaniopsis laurina) 

Weeping Bottlebrush (Callistemon salignus) 

Weeping Myrtle (Waterhousia fl oribunda) 


81

Index 

82 

Index 

Vines & Scramblers 6 

Balloon Vine 7 

Black Eyed Susan 8 

Brazilian Nightshade 9 

Cape Ivy 10 

Cats Claw Creeper 11 

German Ivy 12 

Japanese Honeysuckle 13 

Kudzu 14 

Madeira Vine 15 

Morning Glory 16 

Moth Vine 17 

Pampas Lily of the Valley 18 

Passion Flower/Fruit 19 

Groundcovers 20 

Blue Perrywinkle 21 

Blue Stars 22 

Butterfl y Flower 23 

Gazania 24 

Impatiens/Busy Lizzy 25 

Lippia 26 

Spiny Headed/ 

Slender Mat Rush/River Reed 27 

Nasturtium 28 

Seaside Daisy 29 

Singapore Daisy 30 

Spider Plant/Ribbon Plant 31 

Wandering Jew/Trad 32 

Wild Iris 33 

Bulbous & Succulent Weeds 34 

Agapanthus 35 

Arum Lily 36 

Asparagus – Bridal Creeper 37 

Asparagus – Climbing 38 

Asparagus – Ground 39 

Asparagus – Culinary 40 

Canna Lily/Indian Shot 41 

Elephants Ears/Taro 42 

Fishbone Fern 43 

Formosa Lily 44 

Ginger Lily 45 

Montbretia 46 

Mother of Millions 47 

Parrot Alstromeoeria/ 

Peruvian Lily 48 

Spanish Bayonet 49 

Wild Watsonia 50 

Grass Weeds 51 

Crimson Fountain Grass & 

Swamp Foxtail Grass 52 

Liriope/Lily Turf 53 

Pampas Grass 54 

Panic Veldt Grass 55 

Mexican Feather Grass 56 

Shrub Weeds 57 

Cassia/Winter Senna 58 

Coral Berry 59 

Cotoneaster 60 

Indian Hawthorn 61 

Mickey Mouse Plant 62 

Pigeon Berry/Golden Dewdrop 63 

Tree Weeds 64 

African Olive & European Olive 65 

Camphor Laurel 66 

Chinese Celtis/Hackberry 67 

Cockspur Coral Tree 68 

Coral Tree 69 

Golden Wreath Wattle/ 

Willow Wattle 70 

Tree of Heaven 71 

Willow 72 

Yellow Bells 73 

Water Weeds 74 

Alligator Weed 75 

Longleaf Willow Primrose 76

Acknowledgements 

Sydney Weeds Committees gratefully acknowledge permission by Great Lakes Council to 

adapt its publication “A responsible gardening guide for the area of Great Lakes Council”. 

Amendments to text and graphics are by Sydney Weeds Project Offi cers, guided by the 

expertise of members of the Sydney Regional Weeds Advisory Committees, who, with their 

extensive fi eld experience, provide residents of Sydney with detailed knowledge of the 

impact of invasive plants growing in their gardens. 

Written & Researched by: Terry Inkson, Mike Smith and Isabelle Strachan 

Design & Layout: Terry Inkson 

Original Artwork: Isabelle Strachan and Roy Bisson (unless otherwise marked) 

Artwork (revised Sydney version): Anna Buono, Lint Graphic Design 

Photography: Terry Inkson (unless otherwise marked) 

Reviewers & Contributors: Kerrie Simmons, Mat Bell, Andrew Staniland, Terry Schmitzer, 

Steve Howard, Mike Dodkin, Terry Rolls, Royal Pullen, 

George Wisemantel, Mark Tull, Paul O’Conner, Grant Taylor, 

Greg Egan, Delwyn Thomas & Michael Gleeson. 

This project was originally funded by Hunter Central Rivers CMA, and a Caring for our 

Country Community Coastcare Grant. Special thanks goes to Great Lakes Council. 

© 2009 Great Lakes Council 

Always Read the Label: Users of agricultural (or veterinary) chemical products must always 

read the label and any Permit, before using the product and strictly comply with the 

directions on the label and conditions of any Permit. Users are not absolved from compliance 

with the directions on the label or conditions of the Permit by reason of any statement made 

or omitted to be made in this publication. 

Disclaimer: This booklet has been prepared by the authors for the Mid North Coast Weeds 

Advisory Committee, and the Councils and participating stakeholders of the Mid North 

Coast region, in good faith on the basis of available information. Although precautions have 

been taken to ensure the accuracy of information provided, the publishers, authors and 

printers do not accept responsibility for any claim, loss, damage or liability arising out of the 

use of this booklet. 

Front Cover photographs: 

Mother of Millions (Brophyllum x delagoense) 

Alligator Weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) 

Yellow Waterlily (Nymphaea mexicana) 

Angels’ Trumpet (Brugmansia candida) 

Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) 

Cotton Bush (Gomphocarpus fruticosus) 

Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius) 

Pigeon Berry (Duranta erecta ‘Geisha Girl’) 

Back Cover photographs: 

Common Lantana (Lantana camara) 

Canadian Golden Rod (Solidago canadensis) 

Crucifi x Orchid (Epidendrum radicans) 

Longleaf Willow Primrose (Ludwigia longifolia) 

Norfolk Island Hibiscus (Lagunaria patersonia) 

Glory Lily (Gloriosa superba) 

Blue Trumpet Vine (Thunbergia grandifl ora) 

Red Cotton Bush (Asclepias curassavica) 

Index 

83

Sydney Weeds Committees 

Sydney Central Sydney South West 

Sydney North Sydney West – Blue Mountains 

www.sydneyweeds.org.au

“Garden Escapes” education booklet - Sydney Weeds Committees

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