Be on the Lookout! In Florida, invasive exotic plants account for as much as 31 percent of the total number of plant species. Invasive exotic plants are able to reproduce on their own and have moved beyond the influence of insects and diseases in their native land.These plants grow and reproduce freely, out-competing and displacing native plants and animals and disrupting natural processes such as fire and water flow. Invasive exotic plants have taken an aggressive hold in Florida and continue to spread at alarming rates. Florida’s local, state and federal land managers are fighting a constant battle to manage invasive exotic plants on Florida’s publicly-owned lands. Melaleuca, Melaleuca quinquenervia, is native to Australia, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. It was introduced to Florida in the late 1800s as an ornamental plant and later was spread across the historic Everglades in an attempt to dry up “useless swamps.”Today, the tree has invaded a wide variety of natural habitats from wetland marshes and prairies to cypress domes and pine flatwoods across southern and central Florida. Melaleuca seeds are spread by wind and water and a single, mature tree can release as many as 20 million seeds per year! Melaleuca rapidly invades moist, open habitats, both disturbed and undisturbed, and forms dense, impenetrable stands of trees.These stands are so dense that only the smallest of animals can use these areas. Native wildlife is threatened because melaleuca crowds out beneficial native plants,
which provide food and shelter.
rrrt7/19/04 kr-rprnt
etPl ec,F 33416-4680 FL Beach, Palm West
..Bx24680 Box P.O. ALN ADDRESS: MAILING
www.sfwmd.gov
561-686-8800 • FL WATS 1-800-432-2045 WATS FL • 561-686-8800
etPl ec,Foia33406 Florida Beach, Palm West
31GnCu Road Club Gun 3301
ot lrd ae aaeetDistrict Management Water Florida South
l rdcsaalbedet hne ntemarket. the in changes to due available products all
ae htaelse r o h eei fterae n h itmyntcontain not may list the and reader the of benefit the for are listed are that names
mle arnya otefteso n rdc icse.Aypouttrade product Any discussed. product any of fitness the to as warranty implied
o osiueagaateo arnyo h rdc.hr sn xrs or express no is product.There the of warranty or guarantee a constitute not
anricnitn ihtelblsisrcin.Mnino rd aedoes name trade a of Mention instructions. label’s the with inconsistent manner
Ra n olwalhriielbldrcin.I silglt s ebcd na in herbicide a use to illegal is It directions. label herbicide all follow and *Read ES,IPNTAL TNSO RE;OTCMEE AIEPAT;DSRY IDIEHABITAT. WILDLIFE DESTROYS PLANTS; NATIVE OUT-COMPETES TREES; OF STANDS IMPENETRABLE DENSE, ES,IPNTAL TNSO RE;OTCMEE AIEPAT;DSRY IDIEHABITAT. WILDLIFE DESTROYS PLANTS; NATIVE OUT-COMPETES TREES; OF STANDS IMPENETRABLE DENSE,
UKTE,WIEBTLBUH ECITO:LRE VRRE RE O10FE AL MAT FORMS IMPACT: TALL; FEET 100 TO TREE, EVERGREEN LARGE, DESCRIPTION: BOTTLEBRUSH; WHITE TREE, PUNK
FORMS IMPACT: TALL; FEET 100 TO TREE, EVERGREEN LARGE, DESCRIPTION: BOTTLEBRUSH; WHITE TREE, PUNK
http://fleppc.org.
OMNNM:PPRAKTE,CJPTTREE, CAJEPUT TREE, PAPERBARK NAME: COMMON ; MELALEUCAQUINQUENERVIA NAME: SCIENTIFIC AEBR RE AEU TREE, CAJEPUT TREE, PAPERBARK NAME: COMMON ; MELALEUCAQUINQUENERVIA NAME: SCIENTIFIC nomto bu eaec,vstFoiaEP’ e ieat site web EPPC’s Florida visit melaleuca, about information
MELALEUCA more For 800/226-1764). Florida, of University (1998, Areas
dniiain&Booyo o-aiePat nFoiasNatural Florida’s in Plants Non-Native of Biology & Identification or
o oepoorpsse tp/fep.r,http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu http://fleppc.org, see: photographs more For
e ie(drs below). (address site web
ebru oce pcmn sdsrbdo h FLEPPC the on described as specimens voucher herbarium
eotalnwocrecsi aua ra n provide and areas natural in occurrences new all Report
rcomposted. or
tm ihse aslscnb agdaddsoe of disposed and bagged be can capsules seed with stems
iefrselnsta a emnt.Frsalrtrees, smaller For germinate. may that seedlings for site
o eea ek nodrt ilses aeul oio this monitor Carefully seeds. kill to order in weeks several for
ag re,pl palctvgtto n lo tt “compost” to it allow and vegetation cut all up pile trees, large
enct edcpue ildyotadrlaeses For seeds. release and out dry will capsules seed cut, been
ead odsoa r h edcpue.Atrtete has tree the After capsules. seed the are disposal to regards
Disposal: h otipratpatprso eaec with melaleuca of parts plant important most The
aeu o ocnatdsrbepat ihteeherbicides. these with plants desirable contact to not careful
o-agtdamage: Non-target hs ebcdsaentslcie Be selective. not are herbicides These
pae ihherbicide. with sprayed
o erwh erwhsol ectadimmediately and cut be should Regrowth regrowth. for
olwu sessential: is up Follow ii rae ra eidclyadlook and periodically areas treated Visit
ae.Rpa plctosmyb necessary. be may applications Repeat water.
ple ietyt h ln hni sgoigi rover or in growing is it when plant the to directly applied
e areas: Wet h ebcd oe gyhst 38)cnbe can 53.8%) (glyphosate Rodeo herbicide The
enecessary. be
eapiddrcl owtr eetapiain may applications Repeat water. to directly applied be
Melaleuca ebcdssol nyb sdi r ra.hymynot may areas.They dry in used be only should herbicides
n a eprhsda ealgre upystores.These supply garden retail at purchased be can and
B B B B effective are 41%) (glyphosate Concentrate Super Roundup B B NG NG EHAVI EHAVI ADLY ADLY
NG EHAVI
ADLY and 41%) (glyphosate Pro Roundup .96%), (glyphosate
rs ilr(rcoy mn .%,“ed-oue Roundup “Ready-to-use” 8.8%), amine (triclopyr Killer Brush
r areas: Dry ebcdslk rs--oe(rcoy mn 8%), amine (triclopyr Brush-B-Gone like Herbicides meitl ihcmecal vial herbicide. available commercially with immediately PLANTS
PLANTS stump the treat then and surface flat a create to chainsaw
meitl rae ihhriie u auetesuiga using trees mature Cut herbicide. with treated immediately
otfamns alnsadsaltessol ectand cut be should trees small and Saplings fragments. root
eoe eas hycnb uldesl ihu leaving without easily pulled be can they because removed
edig te esta ettl)sol emanually be should tall) feet 3 than less (tree Seedlings
ugse Herbicides Suggested
*
OUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT MANAGEMENT WATER FLORIDA OUTH S Be on the Lookout! In Florida, invasive exotic plants account for as much as 31 percent of the total number of plant species. Invasive exotic plants are able to reproduce on their own and have moved beyond the influence of insects and diseases in their native land.These plants grow and reproduce freely, out-competing and displacing native plants and animals and disrupting natural processes such as fire and water flow. Invasive exotic plants have taken an aggressive hold in Florida and continue to spread at alarming rates. Florida’s local, state and federal land managers are fighting a constant battle to manage invasive exotic plants on Florida’s publicly-owned lands. Melaleuca, Melaleuca quinquenervia, is native to Australia, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. It was introduced to Florida in the late 1800s as an ornamental plant and later was spread across the historic Everglades in an attempt to dry up “useless swamps.”Today, the tree has invaded a wide variety of natural habitats from wetland marshes and prairies to cypress domes and pine flatwoods across southern and central Florida. Melaleuca seeds are spread by wind and water and a single, mature tree can release as many as 20 million seeds per year! Melaleuca rapidly invades moist, open habitats, both disturbed and undisturbed, and forms dense, impenetrable stands of trees.These stands are so dense that only the smallest of animals can use these areas. Native wildlife is threatened because melaleuca crowds out beneficial native plants,
which provide food and shelter.
rrrt7/19/04 kr-rprnt
etPl ec,F 33416-4680 FL Beach, Palm West
..Bx24680 Box P.O. ALN ADDRESS: MAILING
www.sfwmd.gov
561-686-8800 • FL WATS 1-800-432-2045 WATS FL • 561-686-8800
etPl ec,Foia33406 Florida Beach, Palm West
31GnCu Road Club Gun 3301
ot lrd ae aaeetDistrict Management Water Florida South
l rdcsaalbedet hne ntemarket. the in changes to due available products all
ae htaelse r o h eei fterae n h itmyntcontain not may list the and reader the of benefit the for are listed are that names
mle arnya otefteso n rdc icse.Aypouttrade product Any discussed. product any of fitness the to as warranty implied
o osiueagaateo arnyo h rdc.hr sn xrs or express no is product.There the of warranty or guarantee a constitute not
anricnitn ihtelblsisrcin.Mnino rd aedoes name trade a of Mention instructions. label’s the with inconsistent manner
Ra n olwalhriielbldrcin.I silglt s ebcd na in herbicide a use to illegal is It directions. label herbicide all follow and *Read ES,IPNTAL TNSO RE;OTCMEE AIEPAT;DSRY IDIEHABITAT. WILDLIFE DESTROYS PLANTS; NATIVE OUT-COMPETES TREES; OF STANDS IMPENETRABLE DENSE, ES,IPNTAL TNSO RE;OTCMEE AIEPAT;DSRY IDIEHABITAT. WILDLIFE DESTROYS PLANTS; NATIVE OUT-COMPETES TREES; OF STANDS IMPENETRABLE DENSE,
UKTE,WIEBTLBUH ECITO:LRE VRRE RE O10FE AL MAT FORMS IMPACT: TALL; FEET 100 TO TREE, EVERGREEN LARGE, DESCRIPTION: BOTTLEBRUSH; WHITE TREE, PUNK
UKTE,WIEBOTTLEBRUSH; WHITE TREE, PUNK AG,EEGENTE,T 0 ETTALL; FEET 100 TO TREE, EVERGREEN LARGE, DESCRIPTION: FORMS IMPACT:
http://fleppc.org.
MELALEUCAQUINQUENERVIA NAME: SCIENTIFIC OMNNM:PPRAKTE,CJPTTREE, CAJEPUT TREE, PAPERBARK NAME: COMMON ; MELALEUCAQUINQUENERVIA NAME: SCIENTIFIC AEBR RE AEU TREE, CAJEPUT TREE, PAPERBARK NAME: COMMON ; nomto bu eaec,vstFoiaEP’ e ieat site web EPPC’s Florida visit melaleuca, about information
MELALEUCA more For 800/226-1764). Florida, of University (1998, Areas
dniiain&Booyo o-aiePat nFoiasNatural Florida’s in Plants Non-Native of Biology & Identification or
o oepoorpsse tp/fep.r,http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu http://fleppc.org, see: photographs more For
e ie(drs below). (address site web
ebru oce pcmn sdsrbdo h FLEPPC the on described as specimens voucher herbarium
eotalnwocrecsi aua ra n provide and areas natural in occurrences new all Report
rcomposted. or
tm ihse aslscnb agdaddsoe of disposed and bagged be can capsules seed with stems
iefrselnsta a emnt.Frsalrtrees, smaller For germinate. may that seedlings for site
o eea ek nodrt ilses aeul oio this monitor Carefully seeds. kill to order in weeks several for
ag re,pl palctvgtto n lo tt “compost” to it allow and vegetation cut all up pile trees, large
enct edcpue ildyotadrlaeses For seeds. release and out dry will capsules seed cut, been
ead odsoa r h edcpue.Atrtete has tree the After capsules. seed the are disposal to regards
Disposal: h otipratpatprso eaec with melaleuca of parts plant important most The
aeu o ocnatdsrbepat ihteeherbicides. these with plants desirable contact to not careful
o-agtdamage: Non-target hs ebcdsaentslcie Be selective. not are herbicides These
pae ihherbicide. with sprayed
o erwh erwhsol ectadimmediately and cut be should Regrowth regrowth. for
olwu sessential: is up Follow ii rae ra eidclyadlook and periodically areas treated Visit
ae.Rpa plctosmyb necessary. be may applications Repeat water.
ple ietyt h ln hni sgoigi rover or in growing is it when plant the to directly applied
e areas: Wet h ebcd oe gyhst 38)cnbe can 53.8%) (glyphosate Rodeo herbicide The
enecessary. be
eapiddrcl owtr eetapiain may applications Repeat water. to directly applied be
Melaleuca ebcdssol nyb sdi r ra.hymynot may areas.They dry in used be only should herbicides
n a eprhsda ealgre upystores.These supply garden retail at purchased be can and
B B B B effective are 41%) (glyphosate Concentrate Super Roundup B B NG NG EHAVI EHAVI ADLY ADLY
NG EHAVI
ADLY and 41%) (glyphosate Pro Roundup .96%), (glyphosate
rs ilr(rcoy mn .%,“ed-oue Roundup “Ready-to-use” 8.8%), amine (triclopyr Killer Brush
r areas: Dry ebcdslk rs--oe(rcoy mn 8%), amine (triclopyr Brush-B-Gone like Herbicides meitl ihcmecal vial herbicide. available commercially with immediately PLANTS
PLANTS stump the treat then and surface flat a create to chainsaw
meitl rae ihhriie u auetesuiga using trees mature Cut herbicide. with treated immediately
otfamns alnsadsaltessol ectand cut be should trees small and Saplings fragments. root
eoe eas hycnb uldesl ihu leaving without easily pulled be can they because removed
edig te esta ettl)sol emanually be should tall) feet 3 than less (tree Seedlings
ugse Herbicides Suggested
*
OUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT MANAGEMENT WATER FLORIDA OUTH S UNWANTED: A GALLERY OF Melaleuca INVASIVE EXOTIC PLANTS OF BEHAVING BADLY SOUTH FLORIDA
Overview of Problem How to Stop the Spread Melaleuca has been a serious weed in Florida since Melaleuca control options include preventative, the early 1900s. By the mid-1900s, only 50 years after herbicidal, biological, mechanical and physical it was introduced, melaleuca had already taken over methods.The overall goal of melaleuca control is to hundreds of thousands of acres of the Everglades, use an integrated pest management approach, since threatening its very existence.This rapid expansion is combining different management control options will not surprising because in melaleuca’s native range provide better melaleuca control than any one method the tree thrives in wetland areas and climates similar could achieve alone.This helps reduce existing to those found in Florida. Melaleuca is recognized as infestations and limits establishment of new a Noxious Weed both federally and by the State of populations. It is important to treat small stands Florida. It is therefore illegal to possess, transport of melaleuca before they become substantial and/or cultivate this plant. infestations. Early detection and treatment are critical Melaleuca invades many habitats in southern to successful and economical management.Treatment Florida. It prefers disturbed seasonally wet sites, of individual plants is the most conservative and but also flourishes in standing water, well-drained effective approach in natural areas, but finding, uplands and seemingly non-disturbed areas. reaching and treating them can be extremely time- Melaleuca is cold sensitive but can be found as far consuming.Thus, less time-consuming and costly Australian Pine north as Gainesville. It thrives in pine flatwoods, methods of herbicide application, such as aerially sawgrass marshes and cypress swamps of southern spraying herbicides, are often used. Florida. Dense melaleuca forests replace formerly Simply cutting the tree will not kill the stump or the treeless sawgrass marshes, disrupting historical roots, so regrowth will occur. Flooding does not kill water flows. Melaleuca is also a serious fire hazard mature melaleuca trees but may kill some seedlings because the oils contained within its leaves create hot and prevent establishment of seeds on flooded soils. crown fires that are rapidly spread. Melaleuca seedlings and saplings can be killed by The good news is that the extensive stands of fire; however, mature trees are not harmed and fire melaleuca that were once found on publicly-owned actually helps release and spread seeds. Use of heavy natural areas such as Big Cypress, Lake Okeechobee equipment is limited because it is difficult to access marsh and the Everglades have now been drastically remote areas of dense melaleuca and because the reduced through regional control efforts by government equipment disturbs soils and native plants. agencies waging battle on this tree. As a result of inter- Biological control (biocontrol) holds the key to agency efforts, almost 100,000 acres of publicly-owned effective long-term management of this species. natural areas were cleared of melaleuca between Overseas searches are ongoing for biocontrol agents 1990 and 1999!The bad news is that there has been in melaleuca’s native range.To date, two biocontrol an almost equal expansion of melaleuca on privately- insects have been released in Florida. In 1997, the Beach Naupaka held lands where no control activities have occurred, melaleuca weevil was released and by the end of 2002 Melaleuca thrives even in standing water resulting in no net loss of acreage of melaleuca. In had established in 12 counties in southern Florida and fact, extensive dense forests now occur predominantly has proven to be very effective.The melaleuca psyllid, only in privately-held lands in Broward, Miami-Dade, released in 2002, is proving to be a good complement Palm Beach, Lee, Martin and Collier counties. to the weevil because it eats older, tougher leaves, Surveys conducted by the South Florida Water which the weevil does not favor. All biological control Management District every two years between 1993 agents are tested for years before they are released – and 2003 confirm that the general sometimes as long as a decade! Even then, it may distribution of melaleuca in Florida Melaleuca take many more years before the biocontrols build up has decreased on public lands while Distribution effective populations to assist in control. increasing on private lands. In 1993, For information specific to control methods for 52 percent of all melaleuca in melaleuca and other invasive plant species in natural southern Florida was found on areas see the Institute of Food and Agricultural public land, while 48 percent was Science’s (IFAS) Publication SP242, “Control of Non-
on private land. Four years later, in Lake native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida.”Herbicides 1997, 35 percent of all live Okeechobee should only be applied by those knowledgeable in the melaleuca was found on use. Contact the IFAS Pesticide Information Office, Spraying melaleuca stump with herbicide public land and 65 percent on (352) 392-4721, for additional information on pesticide Oyster Plant private land.The determined effort applicator training and see IFAS Publication SP295, of public land managers was “Natural Area Weed Management – ATraining directly responsible for the Manual for Restricted Use Pesticide Applicators” for reduction of melaleuca on public land. technical information about the use of herbicides in Now it is time to encourage public- natural areas.To purchase IFAS publications, call private partnerships so that melaleuca (352) 392-1794 or visit: http://ifasbooks.ufl.edu.The can be reduced on private lands. Melaleuca Management Plan can be found at http://www.fleppc.org/Manage_Plans/mplan.pdf. How to Identify Melaleuca is a large tree up to 100 feet tall with TAME Melaleuca whitish, spongy, peeling bark. It has dark green The Area-Wide Management Evaluation of narrow leaves that smell like camphor when they are Melaleuca (TAME Melaleuca) was established in 2002 crushed. It has numerous white bottlebrush flowers as a collaborative multi-agency project under the U.S. and clusters of woody seed capsules along the stems. Department of Agriculture.TAME Melaleuca will demonstrate ecologically and economically Where to Look sustainable melaleuca control for both Infestations of melaleuca occur mostly in central public and private land managers by and southern Florida. It has been documented in applying a combination of control 19 counties in Florida, the northernmost counties tactics on demonstration sites being Brevard, Orange and Hernando.The tree most across south Florida.TAME commonly invades moist habitats, but will grow in Melaleuca will also create outreach Carrotwood flooded conditions and dry areas, both in pristine and programs for land managers, disturbed areas.Young trees are commonly found government agencies and the general public. Biological control damage on melaleuca flower close to a large mother tree. For more information visit http://tame.ifas.ufl.edu.