Sweet Briar

Sweet Briar

Originally an ornamental or hedge plant now spread by seed via fruit–eating birds and other animals. Plants readily eaten by grazing animals in younger stages. No fodder value and isolated clumps will join together and compete with productive species. Control by...
Star Thistle

Star Thistle

Little wind dispersal of seed, which is relatively short lived. Spread generally by water or contamination of produce and equipment. Competes with crops and pastures and spines in heads injure grazing animals in eyes and mouth. Control by grubbing, cultivation,...
Scotch Thistle

Scotch Thistle

These named species are all very similar plants (and to make individual identification more difficult hybrids between Scotch and Illyrian Thistles are common). They produce seed in large quantities (up to 20 000 per plant in Scotch Thistle) and seed is stored in the...
Rhus Tree

Rhus Tree

A large woody deciduous shrub or small tree growing 5 to 8 m in height. Reproduction is by seed and suckers with large numbers of seedlings present wherever the plant occurs. Potential for rapid spread under favourable environmental conditions is high. Rhus is an...
Prickly Pear

Prickly Pear

Main pest species are Hudson pear (Cylindropuntia rosea) and Devil’s rope pear (Cylindropuntia imbricata). The photograph is of Cylindropuntia imbricata. Plants of both species are similar in appearance. Both are very spiny and are readily distributed by stem or...
Noogoora Burr

Noogoora Burr

Like Bathurst burr, Noogoora burr is of great importance to the wool industry. The burrs damage shearing and carding machines and cannot be removed from wool mechanically. The plants are strong competitors in pasture and Summer crops due to their extensive root system...