Published Wednesday, 28 May, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Thorny Karroo weed controlled on Darling Downs
Southern Queensland landholders have been warned to watch for, and more importantly report, the invasive weed, karroo thorn (Acacia karroo), found on the Darling Downs.
Karroo thorn is an extremely spiny tree that can reach 12 metres in height and has large, double-pronged spikes up to 10 centimetres long.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries, Tim Mulherin, said Acacia karroo was a declared Class 1 pest under the Land Protection Act 2002 in Queensland and, if found, must be eradicated.
“This invasive plant is extremely drought tolerant and can grow in dense, impenetrable thickets that suppress grasses and small plants,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Mature plants can produce up to 19,000 seeds a year, which can last up to seven years, making this an extremely noxious weed with the ability to spread if not destroyed quickly.”
Mr Mulherin said the discovery of Acacia karroo on a property north of Millmerran showed the important role the community played in watching for and reporting invasive weeds and other pests that could destroy Queensland’s environment.
“On this occasion, the discovery of the infestation by the landholder allowed officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries and Toowoomba Regional Council to act quickly to treat the thorny plants with herbicide.
“The infestation was within a 200m2 area with some 20 plants up to 1.5 metres tall - which indicates they were only a few years old.
“The plants were not flowering or bearing seed pods, and quick action by the officers and the landowner reduced the possibility of the plant seeding and spreading,” he said.
Mr Mulherin said karroo thorn was very rare in Australia, with only one previous report of the weed in Queensland several years ago.
“And we’d like to keep it that way”.
Acacia karroo is native to southern Africa where it invades and proliferates in grazed grasslands, disturbed habitats and native vegetation. In semi-arid areas, it can be prevalent along rivers and creeks and spread into savannah and coastal dune areas.
Based on climatic conditions, karroo thorn would be suited to south-eastern Australia and southern Queensland and could be spread by animals, wind, water and humans.
Mr Mulherin asked anyone suspecting a plant is karroo thorn, or any other invasive pest species, to contact the DPI&F on 13 25 23 or their local council.
Media: 3239 6530
Photos of karroo thorn (Acacia karroo) are available on request.
Karroo thorn is an extremely spiny tree that can reach 12 metres in height and has large, double-pronged spikes up to 10 centimetres long.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries, Tim Mulherin, said Acacia karroo was a declared Class 1 pest under the Land Protection Act 2002 in Queensland and, if found, must be eradicated.
“This invasive plant is extremely drought tolerant and can grow in dense, impenetrable thickets that suppress grasses and small plants,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Mature plants can produce up to 19,000 seeds a year, which can last up to seven years, making this an extremely noxious weed with the ability to spread if not destroyed quickly.”
Mr Mulherin said the discovery of Acacia karroo on a property north of Millmerran showed the important role the community played in watching for and reporting invasive weeds and other pests that could destroy Queensland’s environment.
“On this occasion, the discovery of the infestation by the landholder allowed officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries and Toowoomba Regional Council to act quickly to treat the thorny plants with herbicide.
“The infestation was within a 200m2 area with some 20 plants up to 1.5 metres tall - which indicates they were only a few years old.
“The plants were not flowering or bearing seed pods, and quick action by the officers and the landowner reduced the possibility of the plant seeding and spreading,” he said.
Mr Mulherin said karroo thorn was very rare in Australia, with only one previous report of the weed in Queensland several years ago.
“And we’d like to keep it that way”.
Acacia karroo is native to southern Africa where it invades and proliferates in grazed grasslands, disturbed habitats and native vegetation. In semi-arid areas, it can be prevalent along rivers and creeks and spread into savannah and coastal dune areas.
Based on climatic conditions, karroo thorn would be suited to south-eastern Australia and southern Queensland and could be spread by animals, wind, water and humans.
Mr Mulherin asked anyone suspecting a plant is karroo thorn, or any other invasive pest species, to contact the DPI&F on 13 25 23 or their local council.
Media: 3239 6530
Photos of karroo thorn (Acacia karroo) are available on request.