Published Thursday, 22 November, 2007 at 11:51 AM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Giant vine threatens native rainforests
A fast-growing, smothering vine with huge root tubers weighing up to 70kg has been identified in Mackay and Mirani shires.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said the Thunbergia vine was a Class 1 weed pest with an alarming potential to spread rapidly.
“DPI&F is working with local government authorities to keep this invasive weed in check before it becomes endemic in our rainforests,” Mr Mulherin said.
Two species of Thunbergia had been positively identified by the Queensland Herbarium.
“Infestations have been located at Eungella National Park in the Mirani Shire and in the North Mackay suburb of Mount Pleasant,” he said.
“There were also recent discoveries of Thunbergia in the Mackay suburbs of Glenella and Mount Pleasant.
“These are the only known Class 1 pests within Mackay and Mirani Shires and they must be eradicated.”
Thunbergia species are perennial plants native to northern India and tropical Africa and are a major threat to remnant vegetation in the Wet Tropics.
The sale of all declared Thunbergia species is illegal with penalties of up to $60,000.
Biosecurity Queensland land protection officer at Mackay Corey Bell said the most common species was Thunbergia grandiflora, a Class 2 pest commonly known as blue trumpet vine or blue sky vine.
“It has large, deeply scalloped leaves and attractive hanging groups of large 8cm long trumpet-shaped flowers. The flowers were yellowish inside with five rounded pale lavender-blue petals,” he said.
“The T. laurifolia has similar flowers with an oval leaf and is commonly referred to as laurel clockvine.
“The outbreak of T. laurifolia at Eungella National Park has spread from a tourist accommodation area and now infests almost one hectare of forest. The Mount Pleasant infestation is in residential holdings and adjoining parklands.”
“We want to raise public awareness of this Class 1 weed threat and I encourage residential and rural landholders to report any plants to DPI&F Biosecurity Queensland or to local government environmental officers.
“Because of the vine’s extensive underground tubers, using herbicide is the only control option.
“Unfortunately, the only registered Thunbergia control herbicide, Arsenal 250A, has been withdrawn from production by the manufacturer.
“Biosecurity Queensland has applied for a “Minor Use Permit” to allow the state-wide use of an alternative herbicide.
“Because of the huge tubers, overall leaf spraying or herbicide injection rarely achieves a 100 per cent kill so on-going monitoring and follow-up treatment will be needed.”
Infestations of T. grandiflora and T. laurifolia are scattered along coastal streams in the Whitsundays area and from the Tully River to the Daintree with acute infestations on the Mulgrave, Johnstone and lower Mossman River systems.
Captions:
1. The trumpet-shaped pale lavender-blue flowers of Thunbergia laurifolia that has been identified at Eungella National Park in Mirani Shire and at Mackay’s northern suburb of Mount Pleasant.
2. Declared as a Class 1 pest, Thunbergia laurifolia has invaded close to 1ha of Eungella National Park and now requires intensive eradication treatment.
3. The white flower of Thunbergia fragrans, a declared Class 1 pest found in North Mackay.
Photos available on request please call 3239 3000.
Media:
Minister’s office 32396530
DPI&F Russ Boadle 4936 0320
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said the Thunbergia vine was a Class 1 weed pest with an alarming potential to spread rapidly.
“DPI&F is working with local government authorities to keep this invasive weed in check before it becomes endemic in our rainforests,” Mr Mulherin said.
Two species of Thunbergia had been positively identified by the Queensland Herbarium.
“Infestations have been located at Eungella National Park in the Mirani Shire and in the North Mackay suburb of Mount Pleasant,” he said.
“There were also recent discoveries of Thunbergia in the Mackay suburbs of Glenella and Mount Pleasant.
“These are the only known Class 1 pests within Mackay and Mirani Shires and they must be eradicated.”
Thunbergia species are perennial plants native to northern India and tropical Africa and are a major threat to remnant vegetation in the Wet Tropics.
The sale of all declared Thunbergia species is illegal with penalties of up to $60,000.
Biosecurity Queensland land protection officer at Mackay Corey Bell said the most common species was Thunbergia grandiflora, a Class 2 pest commonly known as blue trumpet vine or blue sky vine.
“It has large, deeply scalloped leaves and attractive hanging groups of large 8cm long trumpet-shaped flowers. The flowers were yellowish inside with five rounded pale lavender-blue petals,” he said.
“The T. laurifolia has similar flowers with an oval leaf and is commonly referred to as laurel clockvine.
“The outbreak of T. laurifolia at Eungella National Park has spread from a tourist accommodation area and now infests almost one hectare of forest. The Mount Pleasant infestation is in residential holdings and adjoining parklands.”
“We want to raise public awareness of this Class 1 weed threat and I encourage residential and rural landholders to report any plants to DPI&F Biosecurity Queensland or to local government environmental officers.
“Because of the vine’s extensive underground tubers, using herbicide is the only control option.
“Unfortunately, the only registered Thunbergia control herbicide, Arsenal 250A, has been withdrawn from production by the manufacturer.
“Biosecurity Queensland has applied for a “Minor Use Permit” to allow the state-wide use of an alternative herbicide.
“Because of the huge tubers, overall leaf spraying or herbicide injection rarely achieves a 100 per cent kill so on-going monitoring and follow-up treatment will be needed.”
Infestations of T. grandiflora and T. laurifolia are scattered along coastal streams in the Whitsundays area and from the Tully River to the Daintree with acute infestations on the Mulgrave, Johnstone and lower Mossman River systems.
Captions:
1. The trumpet-shaped pale lavender-blue flowers of Thunbergia laurifolia that has been identified at Eungella National Park in Mirani Shire and at Mackay’s northern suburb of Mount Pleasant.
2. Declared as a Class 1 pest, Thunbergia laurifolia has invaded close to 1ha of Eungella National Park and now requires intensive eradication treatment.
3. The white flower of Thunbergia fragrans, a declared Class 1 pest found in North Mackay.
Photos available on request please call 3239 3000.
Media:
Minister’s office 32396530
DPI&F Russ Boadle 4936 0320