September 15, 2022
South Burnett Regional Council has issued a Weed Biosecurity Alert after an outbreak of Fireweed was detected for the first time in the South Burnett.
Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) is a restricted invasive plant which can be toxic to livestock.
It was first recorded in Australia in the Hunter Valley in 1918 but over the past 30 years has rapidly increased its range.
A SBRC spokesperson said targeted surveillance by Council officers had detected isolated to scattered infestations of fireweed on 15 properties near Benarkin and Blackbutt.
More surveying is being undertaken from the eastern boundary with Somerset Regional Council.
Areas west of Blackbutt will be surveyed as soon as possible.
An official sample sent to the Queensland Herbarium has now been positively identified as Fireweed.
Fireweed is a yellow flowering daisy-like weed.
In ideal conditions, Fireweed presents with multiple branches, long wide leaves (6cm x 2cm) and stands about 50cm tall.
In dry, harsh conditions it presents with few flowers, no branching and is less than 20cm tall with narrow leaves.
It is spread by wind, livestock, pasture, seed, hay, turf, mulch and vehicles.
Heavy infestations can produce up to one million seeds per hectare.
“For formal identification please remove the suspected weed from the soil, seal it in a plastic bag or container and bring it to a Council Customer Service Centre for identification, or leave the suspect plant in situ and contact Council on (07) 4189-9100 to arrange an on-site inspection by Council NRM Officers,” the spokesperson said.
- External link: Fireweed
