Disclaimer:
Before using any agricultural chemical, users must ensure they read and understand the entire product label. The following information regarding chemical, application method, timing and rate has proven to be effective for Project Platypus’s spray program. Project Platypus in providing this information does not except liability for any adverse outcomes and should be used as a guide only. Consult the registered product label for all critical comments and safety information prior to use.
Serrated Tussock (Nassella trichotoma)
Wimmera CMA status: Regionally prohibited
Glenelg-Hopkins CMA status: Regionally prohibited
Distribution notes: Only known infestations occur in the Deep Lead area on the Old Glenorchy road crossing with the railway line, Sheas Flat area near Crowlands and in the Barkly area.
Seed viability: < 15 years
Time to reproductive maturity: 2 + years
Control options: Individual plants can be dug out with a shovel and burnt or disposed of (bag the plants for disposal to stop the spread of seed). If plants have been allowed to grow to maturity and have been on a site for a number of years there will be a large bank of seed in the soil around the plant requiring follow-up assessment of new germination and treatment until the soil seed bank is exhausted. Glyphosate 450g/kg at a rate of 1 litre per 100 litres of spray mix is effective but is non-selective and will kill surrounding grasses and plants. For spot spraying, use Flupropanate 745g/L at a rate of 200 – 250mls + penetrant (Consume, Pulse etc.) + dye per 100 litres of spray mix. Flupropanate has residual action in the soil for up to 5 years which will kill plants when they germinate. At the correct rate, Flupropante is semi selective in controlling Serrated Tussock by not killing Phallaris and Kangaroo Grass which can be very useful competitors and important for the long term eradication of an infestation. It will however kill Wallaby grass and other winter active grasses so keep this in mind when planning control options.
Gazania (Gazania linearis)
Wimmera CMA status: Not classified
Glenelg-Hopkins CMA status: Not classified
Distribution notes: A common site along roadsides and around house sites, highly visible in late winter through to early summer when the multi coloured flowers are in bloom. Spread by seed and transplanting as a very hardy flowering perennial plant. Becoming an ever increasing threat to local bushland, particularly remnant box – iron bark areas around Stawell.
Seed viability: < 3 years
Time to reproductive maturity: unknown
Control options: Individual plants can be dug out with a shovel or mattock and disposed of (bag the plants for disposal to stop the spread of seed). Gazania is a very hardy plant and difficult to kill with herbicide; Glyphosate seems to be fairly in-effective. Metsulfuron Methyl 600g/kg at a rate of 15g + penetrant (Consume, Pulse etc) + dye per 100 litres of spray mix should be effective. Up to 20 grams per 100 litres may be a good idea to assure thorough control. Spray when actively growing between August and December for best results. Gazania is quite often found scattered in amongst native vegetation so be careful with off target damage to surrounding vegetation.
Sweet Pittosporum (Pitosporum undulatum)
Wimmera CMA status: Not classified
Glenelg-Hopkins CMA status: Not classified
Distribution notes: Mainly found in the Iron Barks area on the edge of Stawell, Sweet Pittosporum is a fairly uncommon sight in the upper Wimmera having escaped from neighbouring gardens. Sweet Pittosporum is a native species naturally found in eastern Victoria and the coastal forests of New South Wales an can be quite invasive in higher rainfall areas.
Seed viability in soil: unknown
Time to reproductive maturity: 5 + years
Control options: Individual juvenile plants can be pulled out by hand. Larger plants to the size of small saplings can also be pulled by hand or with the aid of a tractor. Larger mature bushes and trees need to be cut off as close to ground level as possible with all leaf material totally removed from the stump. Paint the stump as soon as possible with neat Glyphosate herbicide.
Amsinkia (Amsinckia spp.)
Wimmera CMA status: Restricted
Glenelg-Hopkins CMA status: Regionally prohibited
Distribution notes: A close relative of Paterson’s Curse, Amsinkia is an emerging threat in the upper Wimmera with only minor infestations around Stawell known to exist.
Seed viability: < 5 years
Time to reproductive maturity: Annual plant 1 year
Control options: Isolated plants can be chipped out with a shovel and burnt or disposed of (bag the plants for disposal to stop the spread of seed if present). For thicker infestations, Project platypus generally use Metsulfuron Methyl 600g/kg at a rate of 15g + penetrant (Consume, Pulse etc) + dye per 100 litres of spray mix. Glyphosate 450g/kg at a rate of 800 mls per 100 litres of spray mix is also effective but will kill surrounding grasses and other plants.
Onion Weed (Asphodelus fistulosus)
Wimmera CMA status: Regionally controlled
Glenelg-Hopkins CMA status: Regionally controlled
Distribution notes: A fairly common weed in the lower Wimmera catchment west of Dadswells Bridge, Onion Weed is likely to be found in the western side of the upper Wimmera and poses an emergent threat the local area.
Seed viability: < 5 years
Time to reproductive maturity: 18 months +
Control options: Metsulfuron Methyl 600g/kg at a rate of 15g + penetrant (Consume, Pulse etc) + dye per 100 litres of spray mix. Glyphosate 450g/kg at a rate of 800mls + penetrant (Consume, Pulse etc) + dye per 100 litres of spray mix is also effective but will kill surrounding grasses and other plants.
Watsonia (Watsonia meriana)
Wimmera CMA status: Restricted
Glenelg-Hopkins CMA status: Restricted
Distribution notes: Found throughout the upper Wimmera near old house sites, cemeteries and neglected land. A large infestation exists along Donald Creek in the Granny’s lane area of the Black Range near Stawell.
Seed viability: unknown
Time to reproductive maturity: 2 + years
Control options: Metsulfuron Methyl 600g/kg at a rate of 15g + penetrant (Consume, Pulse etc) + dye per 100 litres of spray mix. Glyphosate 450g/kg at a rate of 800mls + penetrant (Consume, Pulse etc) + dye per 100 litres of spray mix is also effective but will kill surrounding grasses and other plants.
Blue Periwinkle (Vinca major)
Wimmera CMA status: Not classified
Glenelg-Hopkins CMA status: Not classified
Distribution notes: Another garden escapee that can be found associated with old house sites, rubbish tips and roadsides; Blue Periwinkle is not a serious problem to the upper Wimmera but is quite conspicuous along roadsides where present particularly when in flower.
Seed viability in soil: Unknown
Time to reproductive maturity: Spread by stem fragments
Control options: Metsulfuron Methyl 600g/kg at a rate of 15g + penetrant (Consume, Pulse etc) + dye per 100 litres of spray mix. Glyphosate 450g/kg at a rate of 800mls + penetrant (Consume, Pulse etc) + dye per 100 litres of spray mix is also effective but will kill surrounding grasses and other plants.
Wandering Jew (Tradescantia fluminensis)
Wimmera CMA status: Not classified
Glenelg-Hopkins CMA status: Not classified
Distribution notes: Another garden escapee that can be found associated with old house sites, rubbish tips and roadsides; Wandering Jew or Wandering Creeper is not a serious problem to the upper Wimmera but is quite conspicuous along roadsides where present particularly when in flower.
Seed viability in soil: Unknown
Time to reproductive maturity: Spread by stem fragments
Control options: Metsulfuron Methyl 600g/kg at a rate of 15g + penetrant (Consume, Pulse etc) + dye per 100 litres of spray mix. Glyphosate 450g/kg at a rate of 800mls + penetrant (Consume, Pulse etc) + dye per 100 litres of spray mix is also effective but will kill surrounding grasses and other plants.
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
Wimmera CMA status: Regionally controlled
Glenelg-Hopkins CMA status: Restricted
Distribution notes: Uncommon in the Wimmera only known to be in the Warrak area.
Seed viability: Unknown
Time to reproductive maturity: 2 + years
Control options: Hand removal is best for isolated small plants that can be dug out by hand (with thick gloves to protect hands from sharp thorns), larger plants may require machinery to remove or can be cut off and the stump painted with neat Glyphosate herbicide. For thicker infestations use Metsulfuron Methyl 600g/kg at a rate of 15g + penetrant (Consume, Pulse etc) + dye per 100 litres of spray mix. Spray when actively growing between September and May for best results. Alternatively, Triclopyr & Picloram (Woody, Grazon etc) at a rate of 400mls + penetrant (Consume, Pulse etc) + dye per 100 litres of spray mix is used if plants are looking stressed. Spraying will be ineffective during winter when dormant or when plants start to drop leaves due to dry / hot conditions.
Spanish Heath (Erica lusitanica)
Wimmera CMA status: Not classified
Glenelg-Hopkins CMA status: Not classified
Distribution notes: Easily confused with native heath species, Spanish Heath is only know at one location along the Great Western – Moyston road. With established infestations present in the Ararat area this species has high potential for spread in the upper Wimmera catchment area.
Seed viability in soil: < 4 years
Time to reproductive maturity: 3 + years
Control options: Hand removal is best for isolated small plants that can be pulled out by hand. For thicker infestations, use Metsulfuron Methyl 600g/kg at a rate of 15g + penetrant (Consume, Pulse etc) + dye per 100 litres of spray mix. Spray when actively growing between August and January for best results.
Bluebell Creeper (Billardiera heterophylla)
Wimmera CMA status: Not classified
Glenelg-Hopkins CMA status: Not classified
Distribution notes: A highly invasive climber native to south western WA, Bluebell Creeper has been planted as an ornamental native perennial plant. Highly viable seeds are spread by birds eating the fruit and depositing seeds in their excrement. Isolated infestations are known to exist around the Grange Golf course near Stawell and a large infestation on the south western side of Lake Fyan’s in bushland reserve.
Seed viability: < 3 years
Time to reproductive maturity: 2 years
Control options: Small individual plants can be dug out and disposed of (bag the plants for disposal to stop the spread of seed if fruit are present) or burnt on site. Larger mature plants can be cut off at the base and the stump immediately painted with neat glyphosate herbicide. If the plants have climbed other shrubs / trees simply cut off at the stump, paint with neat herbicide and leave the plant hung up. If mature plants are growing / climbing through native vegetation, spraying may not be an option due to off-target damage. If spraying is an option, Metsulfuron Methyl 600g/kg at a rate of 15g + penetrant (Consume, Pulse etc) + dye per 100 litres of spray mix should be effective. Spray when actively growing between August and December for best results. Fruit will be present on plants from late summer through Autumn so time control work prior to fruit set to eliminate another years seed production.