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DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES
CHILEAN CESTRUM
Cestrum parqui REGIONALLY PROHIBITED WEEDS INFORMATION SHEET
Plant biology Invasive plants cause significant detrimental impacts in Victoria. They are a serious threat to agricultural production, biodiversity Type of weed: and social values. The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Agricultural, garden escapee is implementing a risk based, biosecurity approach to the management of invasive plants. Government intervention is Life form: focused on coordinated, statewide actions which prevent new Erect shrub, to 3 m high high-risk species becoming established while seeking to contain Stems: targeted, established high-risk species. Adopting this approach Whitish young branches, darker woody will provide the greatest returns on investment. All stakeholders older stems, striated at the base, mottled above with one or more stems emerging need to play their part in preventing new high-risk invasive from each crown plants from establishing and spreading.
Leaves: In Victoria, declared noxious weeds are steps to prevent the growth and Dark green older leaves and lighter green classified under the Catchment and spread of Regionally controlled weeds younger leaves; alternate, shortly stalked, Land Protection Act (CaLP) 1994 as: on their land. lanceolate, entire, glabrous, to 12 cm long, 1 to 2.5 cm wide, undulate margins; State prohibited weeds (SPW) Restricted weeds unpleasant odour when crushed These weeds pose a significant threat This category includes plants that pose Flowers: to Victoria and when infestations occur an unacceptable threat to this State or Greenish yellow, sessile, borne in loose they can reasonably be expected to be to other parts of Australia if they were clusters at the ends of branches; corolla eradicated. The Victorian Government to be sold or traded in Victoria. Trade tubular, to 2.5 cm long, with five small is responsible for their eradication. in these weeds and their propagules, terminal lobes; unpleasant odour by day, either as plants, seeds or contaminants Regionally prohibited weeds (RPW) fragrant at night in other materials is prohibited. These weeds are not widely distributed Fruit: in a region but are capable of The high-risk invasive plants declared Purplish to black, shiny ovoid berry, about spreading further. It is reasonable to as RPWs are among the highest 1 cm long, containing one or two seeds in a expect that they can be eradicated threats to regional biosecurity at a dark purple pulp from a region. Land managers must catchment scale. take all reasonable steps to eradicate regionally prohibited weeds The purpose of this fact sheet is to: on their land. • Provide basic identification information on a RPW Regionally controlled weeds (RCW) • A summary of best practice control These weeds are usually widespread measures, hygiene and prevention and are considered important in a information particular region. Land owners have • To inform landholders of their the responsibility to take all reasonable regulatory responsibilities
Catchment Management Legislative status in Victoria Authority Boundaries Regionally Prohibited in the Port Mallee in Victoria Phillip & Westernport, West Gippsland and East Gippsland CMAs
North Central North East Regionally Controlled in the Wimmera Goulburn Broken Wimmera, Goulburn Broken and North
East Gippsland Port Phillip & East CMAs Westernport Glenelg Hopkins West Gippsland Corangamite Restricted in the Mallee, North Central, Glenelg Hopkins and Corangamite CMAs CS41 Chilean Cestrum 17/2/10 12:40 PM Page 2
CHILEAN CESTRUM Cestrum parqui
Impacts Ecosystems and waterways The plant would most likely not become a weed of crop Chilean Cestrum prefers moist habitats and invades or pastures as it takes several years to mature. riparian environments, such as riverbanks and wetlands. The plant grows well on alluvial river flats often to the The plant is difficult to control as it grows robustly, exclusion of most other vegetation. reproducing sexually and vegetatively. Presence of this species can affect land value. The weed forms extensive stands along disturbed areas preventing growth and regeneration by indigenous Social value and health plants. Due to its ability to build a large population in moist habitats, Chilean Cestrum has the potential to block Chilean Cestrum grows vigorously when neglected and is access to waterways and affect recreational pursuits such toxic to animals including cattle, sheep, horses, pigs and as swimming, boating and bird watching. poultry. Plant material is poisonous to animals and humans if Agricultural and economic chewed or swallowed. Humans may also develop skin Animals are attracted to Chilean Cestrum and will graze rashes from handling the plant. on it. Infested areas have to be fenced off to prevent stock losses given the toxicity of the plant.
Preferred habitat Chilean Cestrum prefers warm-temperate and subtropical regions, mainly on alluvial soils along streams. Often promoted as a garden plant, it has become naturalised as a weed in towns and higher rainfall rural areas. It readily invades bushland margins.
The weed is frost-hardy and tolerant to waterlogging.
There are only a few occurrences of Chilean Cestrum in Victoria, primarily in East Gippsland, Central and North East districts.
Rate of growth and spread Chilean Cestrum is long-lived. The plants are two years old before flowering occurs.
The weed reproduces from both creeping roots and seed. Water is an effective method of dispersal for this plant, as well as birds which eat the fruit and excrete viable seeds.
Dispersal can also occur by pieces of cut root dragged by cultivation equipment, this establishes new plants in clean areas.
Seedbank/propagule persistence Chilean Cestrum can produce more than 2,000 seeds per plant with seeds remaining dormant in the soil for many years.
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Growth Calendar
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Flowering Seeding Germination Dormancy Treatment Prevention – what you can do Prevention of infestations is the best option for weed • before leaving infested areas and before being allowed control. To minimise the risks you can: to enter areas that are free of the weed • Ensure imported fodder, grain, gravel, sand and soil is • Weed-free buffer zones should be maintained between free of seed contamination before purchase, sale or infested and non-infested land movement • All vehicles and equipment should be thoroughly It is an offence to sell, transport or deposit onto land any cleaned to remove any soil, seed or parts of the plant material contaminated with noxious weeds.
Eradication – how you can help DPI’s aim is to eradicate regionally prohibited weeds from a known infestations. Plants are pushed into heaps and region. Following these principles will assist with that goal: burnt, and although most roots are removed by the • Treat all plants before seeding dozing, regrowth from remaining roots can be expected. • Use a combination of control methods Regrowth, as well as seedlings which emerge in following • Keep clean areas free of weeds and manage them to years, must be dealt with by cultivation or herbicides. prevent weed invasion • Remain vigilant: monitor and remove any new The establishment of competing plants restrict the incursions or emerging plants development of seedlings, but this is not always practical • Be persistent. Regular follow-up and inspections are a on riverbanks and gravel beds. vital component of any weed control program • Ensure re-infestation does not occur from the original In grazing situations, stock losses can be minimised by source fencing off infested areas. Land use would not be compromised. Mechanical removal of Chilean Cestrum plants, such as bulldozing, is effective and has been used successfully on
Working together A successful eradication program should consider a range DPI may direct landowners to undertake specific control of control techniques appropriate for addressing the activities to ensure methods are used that are capable of growth stage and size of an infestation. The control destroying plants and preventing their spread. techniques need to be integrated into a strategy to gain best long-term control. Landowners must use the method or methods prescribed as directed by DPI. In most cases the landowner will be Some control methods are only effective if used in able to choose from a variety of options appropriate for combination with other control options as part of a use in their particular situation. long-term management program. If used in isolation, these methods may not provide the desired outcome of eradication of an infestation.
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Chemical Control Under Victorian legislation there are controls on the use of Choose only products registered for use in your particular agricultural chemicals which include requirements for situation. Read the product label carefully and follow all keeping records of chemical applications. It is the label instructions. responsibility of the user to be familiar with this legislation. Chemical retailers can provide information on chemical Farm chemicals are registered for specific uses. Each products registered for your situation. chemical has a ‘product label’, which documents the approved use and the approved rate of use within each They can also supply a ‘material safety data sheet (MSDS)’ State. This label is important in determining the which outlines the health and safety information about a appropriateness of chemical use. product. This information is also available from chemical manufacturers and product labels are available from the Other controls include the requirement to possess an Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority Agricultural Chemical Users Permit to allow use of certain website: http://www.apvma.gov.au chemical products and restrictions of use of certain chemical products in Agricultural Chemical Control Areas. For further Information please refer to the Information Websites to visit: Note Ag1210 “Chemical Use in Victoria – What I can and http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/chemicalstandards can’t do” or the Chemical Standards branch website: http://www.apvma.gov.au http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/chemicalstandards
How to maximise your efforts • Work with your neighbours • Make a long term management plan and stick to it • Review and amend your plan as appropriate • Seek professional advice • Aim to treat every plant • Don’t let plants set seed • Remain vigilant and always follow up the previous season’s work
References
Muyt, A 2001, Bush invaders of south-east Australia : a guide to the identification and control of environmental weeds found in south-east Australia, RG & FJ Richardson, Victoria.
Parsons, WT & Cuthbertson, EG 1992, Noxious Weeds of Australia, Inkata Press, Melbourne, Sydney.
If you would like to receive this information/publication in an accessible format (such as large print or audio) please call the Customer Service Centre on 136 186, TTY 1800 122 969, or email [email protected]. Published by the Department of Primary Industries, Landscape Protection Portfolio, February 2010. © The State of Victoria 2010. This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Authorised by the Department of Primary Industries, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne 3000. ISBN 978-1-74217-675-8 (print) ISBN 978-1-74217-676-5 (online) Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. For more information about DPI go to www.dpi.vic.gov.au or phone the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.