Weeds of Blue Mountains Bushland — a guide to identification and control Distribution of weeds The area west of sydney known as the Blue Mountains contains a wide variety of ecosystems with a great diversity of flora and fauna. It encompasses more than one climatic zone and soil type, and rainfall also varies. so does the distribution of native plants and weeds. Glossary Abbreviations crown BMCC Blue Mountains the point where stems join roots; a City Council method for removing certain plants LGA Local Government ecosystem area a community of living organisms EPA NSW Environment interacting with each other and Protection authority the environment NPWS National Parks and layer Wildlife service a plant growing roots from the point BMCS Blue Mountains at which stems touch the ground Conservation society local provenance WPR Blue Mountains locally occurring plants grown Wildplant Rescue from locally collected seed service rhizome sp., spp. species an underground stem which (singular and plural) grows horizontally producing cvs. cultivars roots and shoots sucker a plant sending up new shoots from the roots Acknowledgements This edition has been compiled by BMCC staff. It is based on the concept and content developed by Barbara harley who was the author of the four previous editions of Weeds of Blue Mountains Bushland. a great deal of Barbara’s content is retained in this edition and we acknowledge the help and advice given to Barbara by former BMCC Bushcare Team leaders Chris dewhurst and lyndal sullivan, and by John Pennlington, lachlan Garland, Clive hayward Barker and Kathy Chapman. Buying local native plants local provenance native plants are adapted to local conditions and don’t become weedy. You can buy local bushland plants from the Blue Mountains Wildplant Rescue service and the Blue Mountains Conservation society nurseries. ask for plants from your area. Contact details on back page. Publication details Copyright remains with BMCC. Published by BMCC. Contact BMCC for terms of use of this material. Contents The value of our bushland . 4 How weeds invade bushland . 6 Woody weeds a frican Olive . .................. 8 Green Cestrum . ...............18 Bamboo and arundo . .......... 9 himalayan honeysuckle . ......19 Boneseed . ....................10 lantana . ......................20 Box Elder . .11 Privet . ........................21 Broom . .......................12 Pussy Willow . .................22 Butterfly Bush . ................13 spanish heath . 23 Cherry laurel . .14 Tutsan . .......................24 English holly . .................15 Wattle . 25 Evergreen dogwood . 16 Wild Black Cherry . .26 Gorse . ........................17 Herbaceous weeds and groundcovers a gapanthus . 27 Montbretia . .31 asparagus Fern, Ming Fern Red hot Poker . 32 & Bridal Creeper . .............28 seaside daisy . .33 Crofton Weed & Mist Flower . ..29 Trad . 34 Blue Periwinkle . .30 Zebra Grass & Miscanthus . .35 Climbers and scramblers Blackberry . ...................36 Balloon vine & Madeira vine . ..40 Cat’s Claw Creeper . 37 Moth vine & Morning Glory . .41 Ivy . ...........................38 White jasmine . 42 Japanese honeysuckle . .39 Controlling weeds . .43 Other local bush invaders . .47 Tree preservation order weed exemptions . 47 Wildlife-friendly gardens . 48 Bringing back the bush . 50 “Weeds are everyone’s responsibility” . .51 Contacts . back cover FOCR nT OvER: native juvenile Crimson Rosella feeding on privet (a weed tree). When weed trees are left to flourish, birds feed on their berries and spread seeds via their droppings into our local bushland. Photo: akos lumnitzer. 3 The value of our bushland Those of us who live in the Blue Mountains, in the ‘City within a World Heritage Area’, are highly privileged: almost all of us live within sight of the bush; all of us are bushland neighbours. The values of our bushland are many and substantial: • Our bushland is our naTuRal hERITaGE. It is a large part of what makes the Blue Mountains unique. It determines the visual identity of the landscape. Our bushland helps us to define our place on earth. Our bushland has high aEsThETIC valuE, dividing our urban spaces • with its characteristic greenness and the familiar shapes of gum trees. Our bushland reduces noise, air and visual pollution, creates a feeling of peace and space, and enhances the residential life of our townships and villages. • Our bushland aids our health by providing a means of RElIEF FROM EvERYdaY sTREss. Our bushland offers an environment which restores our sense of wellbeing, a place where physical and mental balance can be achieved. • Our bushland provides a place for a variety of RECREaTIOnal aCTIvITIEs, and it is also an invaluable resource for EduCaTIOnal and sCIEnTIFIC sTudY of its flora, fauna, ecology, geology and history. It also attracts large numbers of tourists who contribute substantially to our ECOnOMY. • Our bushland REduCEs sOIl EROsIOn and land degradation. It protects the water quality in our creeks and rivers and in our drinking water catchments; it acts as a natural filter for all the essential biological cycles on which all people on earth depend. • Our bushland provides haBITaT for indigenous plant and animal species, conserves rare and endangered flora and fauna, and enables the long-term survival of our animal and plant communities. • Our bushland provides a BuFFER between the developed areas of the city and the World heritage national Park, and helps to protect the integrity of the park’s ecosystems. • Our bushland provides WIldlIFE CORRIdORs and vEGETaTIOn lInKs with our national park, enabling us to experience native wildlife in our urban areas. Above all, our bushland conserves and protects the biodiversity of the unique plants and animals of the Blue Mountains. 4 With the privilege of living so close to bushland comes the responsibility for its conservation and protection. In many Blue Mountains townships residents have taken positive action to protect Ian Brown and restore their bushland reserves by joining the volunteer Bushcare movement (p.50). How weeds invade bushland Blue Mountains townships and villages are perched on ridges above some of the most biologically diverse, fragile and beautiful natural vegetation in the world. Human activities in our townships affect downslope bushland, our national park and our waterways. Off the garden, into the bush: urban runoff s tormwater rushes off hard surfaces —roads, roofs, car parks, factories and driveways, carrying with it pollutants including oils and chemicals, rubbish and organic litter, soil, fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides, sewage from overflows, weed seeds and animal faeces. This fast-flowing run-off enters the bush, erodes watercourses, silts up creeks, and changes the nature of the soil. Many of the components of urban run-off increase the nutrient levels in the soil. Most of our native plants are adapted to low nutrient conditions. Moist, fertile soil favours the growth of weeds and invasive species soon move in. Out of the garden, into the bush: bush invaders Many ornamental plants have escaped from our parks and gardens to become bush invaders. Weeds have a number of dispersal methods to spread vigorously into the bush, for example seeds can be spread by wind, birds and other animals, in contaminated soil and on machinery. Over the fence, into the bush: dumping Weeds are also spread into bushland by the deliberate dumping of garden prunings, grass cuttings, leaf litter or soil. dumped soil introduces weed seeds, buries native plants and their seeds, and compacts the soil. Out of the suburbs, into the bush: disturbance Why are weeds so prolific along roadsides, bushland edges, watercourses and tracks? disturbances such as clearing, excavating, slashing, mowing and burning, changes soil conditions and creates opportunities for weed invasion. driving, riding, parking and walking on bushland vegetation causes erosion and soil compaction, and introduces weed seeds. What’s wrong with weeds? Weeds are plants free of their natural controls. They are fast growing, have the ability to grow almost anywhere, reproduce and spread rapidly and thrive in changed bushland conditions. They compete with our native plant species and frequently replace them. Weeds degrade and destroy the habitat of native fauna and restrict animal and human access to tracks, creeks and waterholes. They reduce local biodiversity and permanently change ecosystems. In the early stages of weed invasion, weeds can be removed and the bush will recover. If left to thrive, weeds can destroy our bush. 6 n orman Yeend orman Not Y In M BaCKYaRd! We can all help—here’s how • Read this book and learn to recognise weeds • Understand how and why weeds spread • Remove bush-invading plants from our gardens • Choose only bush-friendly garden species • Compost and mulch green waste • Dispose of other waste at the tip • Keep garden wastes out of the road gutters • Keep the garden within its boundaries • Mulch to improve water absorption and retention • Retain car wash and garden water on our blocks • Choose to use phosphorus-free detergents • Use only organic slow-release fertilisers • Pick up pet wastes and dispose of them responsibly • Always keep to authorised bushland tracks • Encourage friends and neighbours to follow these principles • Join a local Bushcare or Landcare group or the Bush Backyards Program (see p.50) As we become increasingly urbanised, our challenge is to develop sustainable lifestyle patterns that will enable us to live in harmony with our bushland.