Environmental Weeds of the Mornington Peninsula

First of all, what is a Weed?

Definition of a Weed:

A weed is any plant that grows in an undesirable location or interferes withthe growth and development of desired plants.

Environmental weeds are plants that invade native ecosystems and have the potential to adversely affect the. survival of native flora or fauna or the functioning of ecosystems.

This guide, produced by the Shire, highlights many of the environmental weeds of the Peninsula, and provides some information on how they can be managed.

With each weed there are pictograms which indicate the best control methods for management of the weeds and there is information about the best times of the year for control.

https://www.mornpen.vic.gov.au/files/assets/public/new-website-documents/your-property/environment/flora-amp-fauna/docs/morn-pen-weeds-guide-2012.pdf

There are several WONS -the federal government has listed 21 of theses Weeds of National Significance- present in our area:

Blackberry

English, Flax leaf and Cape Broom

Gorse

Boneseed

Salvinia

Alligator Weed

There are other listed noxious weeds which must be managed.

African Love Grass

Patterson's Curse

Spear Thistle

St John's Wort

Bulbil Watsonia

Salvinia

Tree of Heaven

Boxthorn species

Spiny Rush

Ragwort

Briar Rose

Hawthorn

Many environmental weeds that degrade our native bushland are garden escapees. They have proven too 'successful' and have disrupted the balance of sometimes complex ecosystems.

The pictures in the guide are helpful for identification of these sometimes attractive plants.

Examples of these weeds are :

Arum lilies

English ivy

Karamu Coprosma robusta

Mirror bush Coprosma repens

Agapanthus

Pampas grass

Monbretia

Bulbil Watsonia

Forget-me-not

Indian Hawthorn

Kikuyu

Angled Onion

Native trees and shrubs from other areas , other states and even from other parts of Victoria, can become weeds in our environment.

This guide is a starting point for identifying these invaders, a task that can be quite difficult. Local specialists can help positively identify the "weedy' species.

Some examples of these 'natives' which cn be weedy in our environment include:

Sweet pittosporum

Cootamundra wattle

Willow hakea

Bracelet honeymyrtle Melaleuca amillaris

Sallow wattle