DOCSLIB.ORG

Weeds Tropical Topics

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Weeds Tropical Topics Tropical Topics A n i n t e r p r e t i v e n e w s l e t t e r f o r t h e t o u r i s m i n d u s t r y Weeds in the wet tropics No. 27 April 1995 Don’t give a weed a break Notes from the In the 1840s someone decided that a Central American flowering plant would look good in their garden in Calcutta in India. It grew well. It spread throughout Editor India, across Asia to Siam (Thailand) and on to China, the Pacific islands and A weed is a plant which grows where Papua New Guinea. Within a century it was also well established in Africa. it is not wanted. A plant introduced to improve pasture may be unwelcome in our back yards. A plant which we Siam weed, Chromolaena odorata, is boots or to machinery used overseas. admire in our gardens may well cause now considered one of the world’s The Department of Lands has been the destruction of native vegetation. worst weeds. It is fast-growing and spraying the infestation with This issue of Tropical Topics competitive. In open areas it forms herbicides; the third program is due to concentrates on environmental dense tangled bushes which can start at the end of this month. It is weeds, specifically those which cause intense bushfires in the dry hoped that the weed is confined to the endanger the natural environment in season. It can climb up to 20m on Tully area and can be controlled but trees, smothering them with its dense there are concerns it may have been the wet tropics. growth. Growing over a metre in just a carried further. couple of months it can overwhelm Each component in an ecosystem has sugar cane and other crops and it is Siam weed is not the only weed natural checks on its population toxic to stock. threatening the wet tropics. As can be growth; over time providers and seen on the following pages vines and consumers have struck a balance. Australia was thought to be one of the creepers, trees, shrubs and grasses all However, when one element of an few tropical areas free from this weed have a destructive potential. However, ecosystem is transplanted into — until July 1994 when a DPI botanist very few of these weeds are able to another it usually travels without its spotted it near Mission Beach. No one establish themselves in unbroken enemies, the diseases and predators knows how it got rainforest. If a siam weed seed is which would normally check its there but the dropped under the forest canopy it growth. Some plants fail to thrive in an feathery seeds can’t grow in the dim light. However, if alien situation, others fit in to some may easily have the same seed is deposited wherever degree and yet others achieve attached there is a break — along a river bank, outrageous success — at the expense themselves to in a clearing, at the roadside or of the locals. A successful weed is a visitor’s anywhere there has been a hardy, fast-growing, competitive, disturbance — it will spring to life and aggressive, reproduces quickly and quickly destroy surrounding abundantly and disperses with ease. vegetation. The more the forest is disturbed the more danger there is of It is difficult to predict which plants weeds attacking the remaining part. will become weeds. A species may, at The best way to defend the rainforest first, adapt to its new environment is not to give the weeds a break. without appearing to be a problem. This is known as the lag phase. Then it may suddenly launch into the expansionist phase — a rapid population increase which may Siam weed has a similar growth habit to eventually dominate neighbouring lantana, soft hairy roughly triangular leaves, Illustration courtesy Department of Lands vegetation. soft round stems, no prickles and masses of white or pale lilac flowers in winter. The Department of Lands is keen to hear of any sightings of the plant. If you see it call the Innisfail office on (070) 61 1446 or your local Department of Lands office. Weeds in the water Water weeds are a widespread problem in Australia. Many species have been introduced to decorate garden ponds or aquariums and have then found their way into natural waterways where they have become pests. Water weeds usually grow very fast under tropical Some biological control of four serious waterweeds, conditions, some infestations doubling in size each week. salvinia, water hyacinth, alligator weed and water lettuce They form dense mats of vegetation on the surface of the has been achieved by releasing weevils and beetles which water which: feed on these species. There is no known predator for • reduce light reaching submerged plant species cabomba. • use up oxygen in the water, depriving and killing fish and other aquatic creatures It is essential for aquarium and pond owners and those • restrict the movements of water-based dealing in water plants to be aware of the potential problems animals including waterbirds not just of proven pest plants but also of those not yet • choke drains and restrict the flow of released on the environment. Unwanted aquatic plants water should be burned or composted and NEVER NEVER • clog up pumps, seriously dumped in waterways. Pond owners should also be careful affecting irrigation and to prevent water plants being carried away when there is aquaculture equipment heavy rain and flooding. (Likewise, unwanted fish should • foul boat engines and never be released into waterways.) restrict navigation, watersports, swimming and The best native plants to use are fishing probably Blyxa species and stoneworts • cause water loss, at up to four times the normal — Chara and Nitella species. Others evaporation rate, through rapid transpiration from the leaves are Pacific and ferny azolla (Azolla • during floods, together with trapped debris, can filiculoides, A. pinnata), hydrilla cause the collapse of bridges and fences. (Hydrilla verticillata), clasped pondweed • restrict livestock access to water sources (Potamogeton perfoliatus) and ribbonweed • endanger stock and children who may (Vallisneria gigantea). (See Waterplants become entangled and drown book in Bookshelf) Please remember that • provide breeding places for disease- even native plants can cause problems if carrying mosquitoes. introduced to the wrong area so please do not dump them in watercourses. Also, please do not collect from the wild. Some natives are rare or threatened. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) (left) has beautiful purple flowers and despite its Cabomba, or fanwort, (Cabomba remarkable abilities to clean caroliniana) (right) is a popular aquarium up polluted water, has become plant from America which is causing an invasive and unwanted problems in ponds, lakes, dams and quiet species all over rivers in Queensland. In some areas it the tropical has been declared a category P2 world outside its plant. Sale of cabomba is illegal in native Brazil. In Queensland it is a category P2/P3 weed. Queensland. What is a declared plant? In a word A declared plant (formerly termed ‘noxious plant’) is a plant considered a Exotic is a word which conveys a positive serious enough pest to warrant its control being enforced under legislation (the image to most people. Exotic holidays, Rural Lands Protection Act 1985-1988). exotic food, exotic fruits — the word has come to mean things which are strange or Declared plants are placed in various unusually colourful or beautiful. In fact, categories, though some plants may the word means foreign, from outside be in more than one category. that country. While we can safely admire exotic animals and plants when we travel, P1 — plants which do not occur in if transported elsewhere they can become Queensland and whose introduction pests. Pigs, foxes, cats, rabbits and so on into the State is PROHIBITED. are all exotic animals — but unwanted in P2 — plants which are to be natural areas of Australia. Similarly many completely DESTROYED throughout exotic plants can become exotic weeds. an area. P3 — plants whose numbers and distribution should be REDUCED in an Rubber vine (Cryptostegia Weeding in the Wet area. grandiflora) (above) is a declared It is tempting, when the ground is wet, to P4 — plants which should be category P3 weed. A garden escapee, pull up all those nasty weeds by the PREVENTED FROM SPREADING originally from Madagascar, it roots. However, this may leave the soil beyond places in which they occur. threatens mainly dry rainforest and vulnerable to soil erosion and simply P5 — plants which should be riverside forest. It invades prepare the ground for the next generation CONTROLLED only on land under the agricultural land and is poisonous to of germinating seeds. A more effective control of a Government Department stock, costing the grazing industry method is to snip the offending plants or Local Authority. about $8 million each year. and cover the ground with a thick layer of newspaper and mulch. Few weeds will For more information contact your local Department of Lands office. survive this treatment. 2 Cartoon illustration courtesy ACT Parks and Conservation Service Plant illustrations courtesy Department of Lands Nature notes A diary of natural events creates a pleasing journal which grows richer with the passage of time. Watching for the recurrence of an event after noting it in a previous year, and trying to understand what could have caused changes in timing, is intriguing. These notes are from the author's own notebook, or were offered by researchers and fellow naturalists. Readers will, inevitably, note variations between their observations and those appearing here. If you do not keep a nature diary perhaps this will inspire you to begin one.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • ORNAMENTAL GARDEN PLANTS of the GUIANAS: an Historical Perspective of Selected Garden Plants from Guyana, Surinam and French Guiana
    f ORNAMENTAL GARDEN PLANTS OF THE GUIANAS: An Historical Perspective of Selected Garden Plants from Guyana, Surinam and French Guiana Vf•-L - - •• -> 3H. .. h’ - — - ' - - V ' " " - 1« 7-. .. -JZ = IS^ X : TST~ .isf *“**2-rt * * , ' . / * 1 f f r m f l r l. Robert A. DeFilipps D e p a r t m e n t o f B o t a n y Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. \ 1 9 9 2 ORNAMENTAL GARDEN PLANTS OF THE GUIANAS Table of Contents I. Map of the Guianas II. Introduction 1 III. Basic Bibliography 14 IV. Acknowledgements 17 V. Maps of Guyana, Surinam and French Guiana VI. Ornamental Garden Plants of the Guianas Gymnosperms 19 Dicotyledons 24 Monocotyledons 205 VII. Title Page, Maps and Plates Credits 319 VIII. Illustration Credits 321 IX. Common Names Index 345 X. Scientific Names Index 353 XI. Endpiece ORNAMENTAL GARDEN PLANTS OF THE GUIANAS Introduction I. Historical Setting of the Guianan Plant Heritage The Guianas are embedded high in the green shoulder of northern South America, an area once known as the "Wild Coast". They are the only non-Latin American countries in South America, and are situated just north of the Equator in a configuration with the Amazon River of Brazil to the south and the Orinoco River of Venezuela to the west. The three Guianas comprise, from west to east, the countries of Guyana (area: 83,000 square miles; capital: Georgetown), Surinam (area: 63, 037 square miles; capital: Paramaribo) and French Guiana (area: 34, 740 square miles; capital: Cayenne). Perhaps the earliest physical contact between Europeans and the present-day Guianas occurred in 1500 when the Spanish navigator Vincente Yanez Pinzon, after discovering the Amazon River, sailed northwest and entered the Oyapock River, which is now the eastern boundary of French Guiana.
    [Show full text]
  • Thunbergia Species Thunbergia Spp
    Fact sheet DECLARED CLASS 1 AND 2 PEST PLANT Thunbergia species Thunbergia spp. The four species of thunbergia declared under the Land T. grandiflora is the most widespread pest species, having Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 been used as a garden ornamental for its attractive large in Queensland are: leaves and hanging groups of large, pale lavender flowers. • Thunbergia laurifolia—laurel clockvine (Class 1) While other species of thunbergia (black-eyed susan, • Thunbergia annua (Class 1) scarlet clock vine, golden glory vine, lady’s slipper) are not declared, they are not recommended for planting because • Thunbergia fragrans (Class 1) of their potential to spread into surrounding bush. • Thunbergia grandiflora—blue trumpet vine or blue sky vine (Class 2). PP23 September 2011 T. arnhemica is the only native species and occurs in northern parts of Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia (can be confused with T. fragrans). Thunbergia species are a major threat to remnant vegetation in the wet tropics. In the past T. grandiflora and T. laurifolia were promoted and sold in Queensland as attractive garden plants, and both became widespread in Queensland gardens. These vigorous plants soon escaped into native bushland and began causing considerable environmental damage. The plant climbs and blankets native vegetation, with the weight of the vine often pulling down mature trees. Smothered vegetation also has dramatically reduced light levels to lower layers of vegetation, drastically limiting Thunbergia laurifolia infestation natural growth and killing many native plants. Large tubers degrade creek and river banks and make destruction of Other species of thunbergia the pest difficult.
    [Show full text]
  • ACANTHACEAE 爵床科 Jue Chuang Ke Hu Jiaqi (胡嘉琪 Hu Chia-Chi)1, Deng Yunfei (邓云飞)2; John R
    ACANTHACEAE 爵床科 jue chuang ke Hu Jiaqi (胡嘉琪 Hu Chia-chi)1, Deng Yunfei (邓云飞)2; John R. I. Wood3, Thomas F. Daniel4 Prostrate, erect, or rarely climbing herbs (annual or perennial), subshrubs, shrubs, or rarely small trees, usually with cystoliths (except in following Chinese genera: Acanthus, Blepharis, Nelsonia, Ophiorrhiziphyllon, Staurogyne, and Thunbergia), isophyllous (leaf pairs of equal size at each node) or anisophyllous (leaf pairs of unequal size at each node). Branches decussate, terete to angular in cross-section, nodes often swollen, sometimes spinose with spines derived from reduced leaves, bracts, and/or bracteoles. Stipules absent. Leaves opposite [rarely alternate or whorled]; leaf blade margin entire, sinuate, crenate, dentate, or rarely pinnatifid. Inflo- rescences terminal or axillary spikes, racemes, panicles, or dense clusters, rarely of solitary flowers; bracts 1 per flower or dichasial cluster, large and brightly colored or minute and green, sometimes becoming spinose; bracteoles present or rarely absent, usually 2 per flower. Flowers sessile or pedicellate, bisexual, zygomorphic to subactinomorphic. Calyx synsepalous (at least basally), usually 4- or 5-lobed, rarely (Thunbergia) reduced to an entire cupular ring or 10–20-lobed. Corolla sympetalous, sometimes resupinate 180º by twisting of corolla tube; tube cylindric or funnelform; limb subactinomorphic (i.e., subequally 5-lobed) or zygomorphic (either 2- lipped with upper lip subentire to 2-lobed and lower lip 3-lobed, or rarely 1-lipped with 3 lobes); lobes ascending or descending cochlear, quincuncial, contorted, or open in bud. Stamens epipetalous, included in or exserted from corolla tube, 2 or 4 and didyna- mous; filaments distinct, connate in pairs, or monadelphous basally via a sheath (Strobilanthes); anthers with 1 or 2 thecae; thecae parallel to perpendicular, equally inserted to superposed, spherical to linear, base muticous or spurred, usually longitudinally dehis- cent; staminodes 0–3, consisting of minute projections or sterile filaments.
    [Show full text]
  • Thunbergia Laurifolia
    Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science Vol. 5 (Suppl 2), pp. 099-103, 2015 Available online at http://www.japsonline.com DOI: 10.7324/JAPS.2015.58.S16 ISSN 2231-3354 Review of antidiabetic activity of “Rang Jeud” Thunbergia laurifolia Piya Kosai, Kanitta Jiraungkoorskul, Wannee Jiraungkoorskul* Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand. ABSTRACT ARTICLE INFO Article history: Diabetes mellitus still is the serious medical problem to human health due to rapid increase and lead the cause of Received on: 22/05/2015 death in the developed and developing countries. It characterizes by hyperglycemia because there is the defect in Revised on: 16/06/2015 insulin secretion, or the reduced sensitivity of the tissue to insulin. The clinical reports revealed that diabetes Accepted on: 15/07/2015 cannot be cured completely. The newer anti-hyperglycemic drugs continue searching because the existing Available online: 14/09/2015 synthetic drugs have several limitations. Traditional medicinal plants and their phytochemical substances have been used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and associated secondary complications more than a century, but Key words: only a few of these have proofed their safe and efficacious. The aim of this review article is focused Thunbergia diabetes mellitus, herb, laurifolia one of the medicinal plants used for antioxidant activities. T. laurifolia contains several kinds of hypoglycemia, plant, glycosides, flavonoids, gallic acid and phenolic compounds. Many researches have evaluated that these Thunbergia laurifolia. phytochemical substances have the major impact on diabetes. In conclusion this review focuses on the hypoglycemic activity of this plant and clear that it has the potential to be considered as a candidate for preparing new treatment of diabetes mellitus.
    [Show full text]
  • Growth Response of Thunbergia Grandiflora (Roxb. Ex Rottler) Roxb
    Philippine Journal of Science 149 (3-a): 935-946, October 2020 ISSN 0031 - 7683 Date Received: 20 Apr 2020 Growth Response of Thunbergia grandiflora (Roxb. ex Rottler) Roxb. (Skyflower) on Shading and Anatomical Characteristics Under Various Soil Series Micah Marie F. Galapon1, Marilyn O. Quimado2, Crusty E. Tinio2, and Marilyn S. Combalicer2* 1Coastal Zone and Freshwater Ecosystems Research Division Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau Department of Environment and Natural Resources, College, Laguna 4031 Philippines 2Department of Forest Biological Sciences College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR) University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) College, Laguna 4031 Philippines Thunbergia grandiflora Roxb. (Acanthaceae) or “skyflower” is an exotic species that was reported to be aggressively spreading out of control in the tropical and subtropical ecosystems. This study assessed the invasive characteristics of the species by analyzing its growth characteristics on varying shading intensity and soil series, as well as anatomical characteristics in varying soil series. Growth characteristics include the height and root collar diameter (RCD), while anatomical parameters include the thickness of all dermal, ground, and vascular tissues. Based on the results of the shading experiment, T. grandiflora grew significantly in terms of height and RCD under full light conditions (1784.75 lx). The species can survive intense light condition but is suppressed under partial to fully shaded treatments. In the soil series experiment, the highest growth and RCD were observed in the Luisiana soil series with strongly acidic soil (4.1 pH). The leaf and stem anatomical structures of T. grandiflora have the characteristics typical of invasive species that can adapt to certain harsh conditions.
    [Show full text]
  • Thunbergia Thunbergia Grandiflora (Syn
    Restricted invasive plant Lantana BlueLantana camara thunbergia Thunbergia grandiflora (syn. Thunbergia laurifolia) Blue thunbergia was promoted and sold in Queensland as Large tubers degrade creek and river banks and make an attractive garden plant, and both became widespread destruction of blue thunbergia difficult. in Queensland gardens. These vigorous plants soon In garden situations, it will also quickly spread and the escaped into native bushland and began causing large tubers may cause damage to paths, fences and considerable environmental damage. foundations. Other ornamental species of thunbergia The plant climbs and blankets native vegetation, with (black-eyed Susan, scarlet clock vine, golden glory vine, the weight of the vine often pulling down mature trees. lady’s slipper) are not as invasive, they are also not Smothered vegetation also has dramatically reduced light recommended for planting because of their potential to levels to lower layers of vegetation, drastically limiting spread into sourrounding bush land. natural growth and killing many native plants. Thunbergia species are a major threat to remnant Habitat and distribution vegetation in the wet tropics. Native to northern India and tropical Africa, and grow best Legal requirements in frost-free locations. Infestations of blue thunbergia are patchy and are mostly scattered along coastal streams Blue thunbergia is a restricted category 3 invasive plant from the Tully River to the Daintree. Areas of acute under the Biosecurity Act 2014. It must not be given away, infestation are the Mulgrave River, the Johnstone River and sold, or released into the environment. lower Mossman River. Some specimens collected in Queensland were previously identified asThunbergia laurifolia.
    [Show full text]
  • Lianas No Neotropico
    Lianas no Neotrópico parte 7 Dr. Pedro Acevedo R. Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution Washington, DC 2018 Asterids: Ericales o Ericaceae oMarcgraviaceae • Euasterids 1 Boraginales (Boraginaceae) Icacinales (Icacinaceae) Gentianales o Apocynaceae o Loganiaceae o Rubiaceae Lamiales o Acanthaceae o Gesneriaceae o Bignoniaceae o Lamiaceae o Plantaginaceae o Verbenaceae Solanales oConvolvulaceae o Solanaceae • Euasterids 2 o Asteraceae Lamiales Acanthaceae 2.600 spp, 250 gêneros ervas, arbustos, lianas distribuição pantropical 98 spp de trepadeiras no Neotrópico Mendoncia 75 spp Justicia 490 spp/13 escandentes Ruellia 230 spp/4 escandentes Introduzidas: (invasoras) Asystasia 1 sp Thunbergia 4 spp Asystasia gangetica http://botany.si.edu/lianas/docs/ACANTHACEAE.pdf • flores bissexuais • sépalas 4-5, conatas, desiguais • corola tubular, 5-lobadas • estames 4, iguais ou não • ovário súpero, bilocular • frutos diversos, geralmente cápsulas, com gancho placentário Acanthaceae Thunbergia alata Thunbergia - gênero com 4 spp nao nativas ao Neotrópico. Thunbergia fragrans Mendoncia cordata - liana volúvel, com frutos carnosos. Ruellia inflata Justicia brasiliensis Anisacanthus ramosissimus Thunbergia grandiflora - caules com floema interxilemático (formando faixas que se assemelham a raios largos) Mendoncia - caules com xilema disperso Justicia Cistolitos Thunbergia grandiflora - espécie invasora no Neotrópico Lamiales Gesneriaceae 150 gêneros; 3000 spp pantropical 56 gêneros e 1800 spp neotropicais Trepadeiras 14 gêneros e 112 spp
    [Show full text]
  • Thunbergia Grandiflora1
    Fact Sheet FPS-580 October, 1999 Thunbergia grandiflora1 Edward F. Gilman2 Introduction From early summer until late winter this vigorously twining vine bears hanging clusters of large, lavender-blue flowers that are 3 inches in diameter (Fig. 1). These flowers are bell-shaped and have a white throat. The broad, heart-shaped leaves of the Sky Flower are soft and dark green. The fruits are inconspicuous seed capsules. General Information Scientific name: Thunbergia grandiflora Pronunciation: thun-BER-jee-uh gran-diff-FLOR-ruh Common name(s): Bengal Clock Vine, Sky Vine Family: Acanthaceae Plant type: vine USDA hardiness zones: 9B through 11 (Fig. 2) Planting month for zone 8: year round Planting month for zone 9: year round Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year round Origin: not native to North America Uses: cascading down a wall; container or above-ground Figure 1. Bengal Clock Vine. planter Availablity: grown in small quantities by a small number of Growth rate: fast nurseries Texture: medium Description Foliage Height: depends upon supporting structure Spread: depends upon supporting structure Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite Plant habit: spreading Leaf type: simple Plant density: moderate Leaf margin: undulate 1.This document is Fact Sheet FPS-580, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date: October, 1999 Please visit the EDIS Web site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu. 2. Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611.
    [Show full text]
  • The Whole and the Parts: Relationships Between Floral Architecture and Floral Organ Shape, and Their Repercussions on the Interpretation of Fragmentary Floral Fossils
    Zurich Open Repository and Archive University of Zurich Main Library Strickhofstrasse 39 CH-8057 Zurich www.zora.uzh.ch Year: 2008 The whole and the parts: relationships between floral architecture and floral organ shape, and their repercussions on the interpretation of fragmentary floral fossils Endress, P K Abstract: Floral architecture and floral organ shape are interrelated to some extent as can be seen inthe diversity of extant angiosperm groups. The shape of fragmentary fossil material, such as single organs, may therefore give hints for the reconstruction of the architecture of a flower. This study is partly a review and partly provides original material and new points of view on organ-architecture interrelationships. Several topics are illustrated with examples: (1) autonomous and imprinted shape, exemplified by cuneate organs, especially stamens; (2) conditions for valvate anther dehiscence; (3) lability in number and shape of reduced organs that have decreased in size and lost their original function; (4) long hairs as filling material of irregular spaces; (5) architectural conditions for the presence of orthotropous ovules; (6) structural differences between exposed and covered organ parts in bud; and (7) sepal aestivation and petal elaboration. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3417/2006190 Posted at the Zurich Open Repository and Archive, University of Zurich ZORA URL: https://doi.org/10.5167/uzh-11688 Journal Article Published Version Originally published at: Endress, P K (2008). The whole and the parts: relationships between floral architecture and floral organ shape, and their repercussions on the interpretation of fragmentary floral fossils. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, 95(1):101-120.
    [Show full text]
  • Kakadu National Park Approved Plant List
    KAKADU NATIONAL PARK - APPROVED PLANT LIST Kakadu National Park is a ‘Commonwealth reserve’ under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) and is inscribed on the World Heritage List for outstanding cultural and natural values. As part of Kakadu National Park, the use and development of the Town of Jabiru must not be detrimental to the values of the park. To protect Kakadu’s unique environment, Regulations 12.20 and 12.21 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000 require that plants are not brought into Jabiru and cultivated or propagated unless they are included on the Approved Plant List. Approved plant species include a plant species that is: a) A native species of Kakadu National Park; or b) Specified on the Approved Plant List maintained by the Director of National Parks. All plants brought into Jabiru for domestic or commercial area gardens should be an approved plant species. The preferred option is to use species that are native to Kakadu. For information on these species please refer to the book Native Plants for Top End Gardens (2007 Smith). The approved plant species that are non-indigenous to Kakadu are those that are understood to not have the potential to spread into the park. The approved non-indigenous species may not necessarily be well-suited to the growing conditions in Jabiru. By using only approved plant species you will help to avoid potential biosecurity threats to the environmental values of Kakadu National Park. Please be aware that any gardening material brought into Jabiru provides an entry pathway for exotic ants, myrtle rust and other plant viruses and pathogens into the park.
    [Show full text]
  • Laurel Clock Vine, Alert List for Environmental Weeds
    This document was originally published on the website of the CRC for Australian Weed Management, which was wound up in 2008. To preserve the technical information it contains, the department is republishing this document. Due to limitations in the CRC’s production process, however, its content may not be accessible for all users. Please contact the department’s Weed Management Unit if you require more assistance. al er t l is t for envi ronment a l weeds Laurel clock vine – Thunbergia laurifolia ● Current Laurel clock vine (Thunbergia laurifolia) The problem Thunbergia laurifolia is on the Alert List clock vine Laurel for Environmental Weeds, a list of 28 non­ native plants that threaten biodiversity and cause other environmental damage. Although only in the early stages of establishment, these weeds have the potential to seriously degrade Australia’s ecosystems. – Thunbergia laurifolia Thunbergia species were introduced to Australia as garden ornamentals but have escaped into native vegetation, and four species are now declared weeds in Queensland. T. laurifolia is very similar to the closely related blue trumpet vine T. laurifolia climbs native vegetation, smothering, shading out and killing the understorey and can pull down Thunbergia grandiflora, which is a serious mature trees with the weight of the vine. weed in northern Queensland. Both Photo: Forest & Kim Starr, USGS species were popular with gardeners for their large blue flowers and climbing broad tube, white on the outside with Key points habit. a yellowish throat, and opens out into five rounded, pale lavender-blue petals, • Thunbergia species are a major threat to Thunbergia species are a major threat one larger than the others.
    [Show full text]
  • Roadside Survey and Expert Interviews for Selected Plant Species on Lanai, Hawaii
    ROADSIDE SURVEY AND EXPERT INTERVIEWS FOR SELECTED PLANT SPECIES ON LANAI, HAWAII Funded by: The Hawaii Invasive Species Council and the Maui Invasive Species Committee Prepared by: Forest Starr 1, Kim Starr 1, and Lloyd L. Loope 2 1Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, Dept. of Botany, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96822 2U. S. Geological Survey, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, P.O. Box 369, Makawao, Maui, HI 96768 2007 INTRODUCTION Invasive plant species pose a threat to Hawaii's economy, ecology, and way of life. Early detection and rapid response is one method used to minimize the damage caused by invasive species. It is hoped that by finding and removing weeds before they become widespread and out of control, that overall control costs will be reduced, removal efforts will be more feasible, and damage to resources will be minimized. The Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) works to prevent, detect, and remove plant species early as part of their overall strategy to combat invasive weeds. MISC is based on the island of Maui, but also conducts work throughout Maui County which includes the islands of Molokai, Lanai, and Kahoolawe. To assist in their early detection efforts on Lanai, we conducted a roadside survey and expert interviews for selected target plant species. Roadside surveys and expert interviews have proven to be a useful way to detect incipient invasive plants in Hawaii (Starr et al. 2003a). Previous surveys of this nature were conducted on Maui in the years 2000-2001 (Starr et al. 2006a) and on Molokai in 2005 (Starr et al. 2005).
    [Show full text]