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Pest Plants
Overview
Woolly Nightshade
Overview
Pest plants
like African feathergrass, nassella tussock, jasmine, climbing asparagus
and cathedral bells pose serious threats to our natural environment and
the economic future of the Auckland Region.
The
Auckland Region has over 615 introduced plant species which self
propagate in the wild (are naturalised). Many of these are considered
weeds but only some cause serious harm to the environment or economic
loss to producers. These serious weeds are termed 'pest plants' and are
are subject to control or restrictions under the
Auckland Regional Pest Management Strategy 2002-2007.
The Auckland
Regional Council carries out pest plant control primarily on l Pest
Plants that are limited in their spread and abundance in the Region,
like African feathergrass, purple loosestrife, scrambling lily and
devil's tail.
For
widespread pest plants, like ragwort, gorse, woolly nightshade and
privet, land occupiers are required or encouraged to take responsibility
for control of any infestations on their property in the District.
To assist
land occupiers/owners in identifying and controlling pests, the ARC has
produced a range of information brochures called
Pestfact
sheets for all of the main plant and animal pests in the
Auckland Region.
There
are additional plants that have been placed in a
Research Organism category. They have been
identified as having potentially significant impacts on the natural or
production environments of the region, however, further research and
consultation is required before they are designated pests in the
Strategy.
For more
information, check out the ARC
website.
Woolly Nightshade is for the
chop
It’s a pest plant,
harmful to stock and an irritant when handled by people. It’s Woolly
Nightshade, also known as Tobacco Weed, Flannel Leaf or Kerosene Plant
and it’s originally from Southern Brazil and Uruguay. In Papakura there
is a requirement for all land-owners to remove woolly nightshade within
20m of their boundary once a complaint is received. It can be
maintained and removed voluntarily and this is recommended.
 How
do I know if a plant is Woolly Nightshade?
Plants grow in
clusters and complete colonies and can reach 8-12m high in shape of a
well branched and open tree with a top canopy. They are broad-leafed
with soft felt-like leaves with drab green/grey uppers and white to
creamy grey undersides and has white to cream coloured smooth bark.
They have clusters of purple flowers and the berries can turn yellow
when ripe. Woolly nightshade is a fast growing and aggressive plant
species that will suppress New Zealand native plants
Effects on people
Flowers, leaves,
berries and seeds are highly toxic to humans, particularly children. The
leaf and tree sap will irritate and sting skin. The dust and pollen off
a bush will irritate eyes, nose, throat and mouth, as well as exposed
skin. Will create asthma type symptoms, breathing difficulty and
coughing, and watering of eyes.
Removal and
treatment of plant remnants
When cutting use
overalls and gloves, and a mask for larger plants. Pull up small
plants, root and all. Cut larger plants off at base with pruning saw -
don't chop or hack at with machete or axe as this creates dust fall.
Spray at any time of
year with roundup at 10ml/litre or cut the tree down and paint the stump
with Tordon Brush Killer at 100ml/litre; with triclopyr 100ml/litre or
Vigilant gel.
Alternatively, paint a
collar of Vigilant herbicide to a height of 70cm completely round the
trunk of a standing plant or ring-bark a standing tree with a shallow
cut and paint 1-2 mls of neat Tordon BK into the cut. Best spray time
for triclopyr at 60ml/litre is October to February.
Disposal
Safest way to dispose
of felled brush is by mulching and rotting. Treat cut branches
carefully to avoid dust fall. Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly
after exposure or have a complete shower.
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