Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western , Series 3

Volume 5 Number 5 September-October, 1956 Article 10

9-1956

Weeds of Western Australia - Paterson's curse ( plantagineum L. and E. italicum L.)

G. R. W. Meadly

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Recommended Citation Meadly, G. R. W. (1956) "Weeds of Western Australia - Paterson's curse (Echium plantagineum L. and E. italicum L.)," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3: Vol. 5 : No. 5 , Article 10. Available at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture3/vol5/iss5/10

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PATERSON'S CURSE (Echium plantagineum L.)

Echium plantagineum and the related E. italicum are known by a variety of common names including Paterson's Curse, Salvation Jane, Blue Weed and Lady Campbell Weed. Opinions differ as to the importance of Paterson's Curse as a weed. Undoubtedly it is of greatest consequence in the higher rainfall areas, but even under short season conditions, should be regarded as an undesirable .

- Journal of agriculture Vol. 5 1956 'We0utJtSA

By G.R.W. MEADLY M.Sc. Officer in Charge, Weeds and Seeds Branch

PATERSON'S CURSE (Echium plantagineum L. and E. italicum L.)

ATERSON'S curse is the name applied to two closely related species, Echium planta­ P gineum and E. italicum. Although the two species have certain botanical differences, from a practical point of view they can be grouped under a single vernacular name, a procedure which will be adopted for the remainder of this article.

Paterson's curse is native to the curse grows freely along roadsides and Mediterranean region and Western other places not subject to cultivation or where it is sometimes cultivated in grazing. gardens. The first record of this plant in Australia dates back to about 1895, when DESCRIPTION it was introduced by a Mr. Paterson as a The names Paterson's curse and Lady garden plant to a place near Albury. The Campbell weed have already been men­ spread was gradual until it encroached tioned and their origin indicated. In on a stock route. A rapid movement was Europe the plant is known as viper's then recorded, especially along stock bugloss, an allusion to the bugle shaped routes and on reserves, until now it is . In South Australia the name widely distributed in the Eastern States, Salvation Jane is widely used, as in the being particularly conspicuous in South lower rainfall areas of that State the plant Australia. In the spring, the scenic beauty is considered to supply useful forage when of Mount Lofty Ranges near Adelaide is other grazing is scarce. It is also referred enhanced by the masses of violet flowers. to as blue weed, a vernacular name applied Its early history in this State is associ­ to many different . ated with the construction of the Great Echium plantagineum is an annual, Southern Railway. Lady Campbell, wife biennial or rarely perennial herb, first of Sir Thomas Campbell, who was residing developing a basal rosette of large oval, at the time not far from Broomehill, in­ lance-shaped stalked . Subsequently troduced the plant as a garden subject. It a stem arises from the rosette and its is still known in many parts of the Great branches bear heart-shaped leaves with­ Southern as Lady Campbell weed. out stalks and long, curved racemes of It has since spread or been introduced voilet flowers. The calyx is divided into independently to a number of widely five sharp lobes about one third the length separated localities in the agricultural of the tubular, bell shaped corolla. The areas including Northampton, Mingenew, fruit consists of four angular, wrinkled Perenjori, Toodyay, Northam, Donny- nutlets which fall from the base of the brook, Bridgetown and various places calyx when mature. Flowering usually along the Great Southern Railway. It is occurs from September to November. also plentiful in the vicinity of Perth, in­ E. italicum differs in having a longer in­ cluding the Darling Range. Paterson's florescence and somewhat smaller flowers. 549 Journal of agriculture Vol. 5 1956 PATERSONS CURSE (Echium plantagineum L.) A—Plant, showing habit of growth; B— and inflorescence; C—Details of ; D—Fruit, showing nutlets. 550 Journal of agriculture Vol. 5 1956 SIGNIFICANCE By pasture management it is possible to The significance of Paterson's curse de­ stimulate the pasture species, thus pro­ pends to no small extent on the condi­ viding greater competition for the weed tions under which it is growing. In the and making it relatively less important. South-West, with a long growing season In order to cause any significant reduc­ it is a very undesirable weed. In the tion, grazing must be sufficiently severe Boyanup-Donnybrook area in particular and repeated often enough to prevent it has proved very persistent, and eradica­ seed formation or reduce it to a low level. tion from rich moist soils has presented Best results are obtained in the case of many difficulties. Under such favourable small paddocks and sheep, especially rams, conditions the strong development of basal are the most effective grazing animals. If leaves forms a large rosette which crowds grazed on plants bearing seeds, however, the pasture species. The problem in these these will be distributed by the animals. districts is magnified by the fact that the Mowing at the early flowering stage will greater proportion of animals are cattle also reduce seed formation. The time of which are not nearly as effective as sheep mowing is important as, if carried out too for checking the growth of Paterson's early, regrowth may produce flowers curse by grazing. which set seed while if too late, mature seeds may be present in the cut material. Although of lesser importance as a weed in districts having a lower rainfall, despite Ploughing is effective, particularly in the common name of Salvation Jane used the drier areas where the plant is es­ in South Australia, it is not suggested that sentially an annual. Under moist condi­ Paterson's curse should be encouraged tions where it is a biennial or possibly a under any conditions. No farmer should perennial, control by this method may in­ be satisfied to allow the plant to become volve several workings in one season. To established on his property. Besides inter­ be really effective these operations must fering with pastures, the presence of the be repeated over a period of several years, weed may necessitate additional pre- not only to destroy the plants present at seeding cultivations in order to prevent the commencement but to cope with sub­ excessive competition for cereal crops. sequent seedlings arising from dormant seeds. Paterson's curse belongs to the Borage Some trials with chemicals conducted family some members of which, including in the York district showed that, under the common heliotrope (Heliotropium lighter rainfall conditions, effective results europaeum) have been the cause of stock could be obtained by the application of losses. In one or two cases Paterson's curse several different preparations. A 5 per cent, has been suspected but, as already men­ solution of Atlacide (sodium chlorate) or tioned, it is grazed extensively by stock in arsenic pentoxide applied at the rate of many localities without harmful results. 100 gallons per acre controlled the weed, It has been declared a secondary particularly if applied at the early flower­ noxious weed for a number of road dis­ ing stage when little, if any, recovery oc­ tricts. curred. Further seedlings appeared and reached maturity following treatment when the main emergence was at an early CONTROL growth stage. These treatments, although The most practical control measures de­ practicable for small areas, are too costly pend on the extent of the weed and the for large infestations and arsenic pento­ conditions under which it is growing. xide has the additional disadvantage of When only a few plants occur they should being toxic to stock. be hoed or hand-pulled before flowering For chemical control, chlorates and and the area kept under observation for arsenicals have been largely superseded subsequent germination. Where the area by the 2,4-D or hormone-like weedkillers is too extensive for individual attention which are less costly and non-poisonous. consideration must be given to pasture Under pasture conditions good results improvement, grazing or mowing, cultiva­ with Paterson's curse have been obtained tion or the use of chemicals. by the application of one to two pounds

Journal of agriculture Vol. 5 1956 of acid equivalent per acre, the ester rates as is the case with weeds in general formulations being favoured. The lower under such conditions. With trials at rate is sufficient when the plants are small Wongan Hills satisfactory results followed and not very dense but as they become the low volume application of 12 oz. acid larger their resistance increases and for equivalent of 2,4-D amine per acre when large plants 2 lb. acid equivalent per acre the plants were at the rosette stage and is often necessary. This rate of applica­ up to eight inches across. tion will damage clovers but seldom causes any serious effect to grasses. When clovers As a preventive measure, care should be are involved, the amine is sometimes used taken to ensure that farm produce includ­ in preference to the ester as it is some­ ing hay and grain purchased from dis­ what less severe on legumes. tricts in which the weed occurs does not Control of Paterson's curse growing in contain mature seeds. This precaution cereal crops can be obtained with lower applies equally to other weeds.

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