December 20, 2023
South Burnett Regional Council issued a biosecurity alert on Wednesday that parthenium has again been detected in the region.
“Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus) is a vigorous species that colonises weak pastures with sparse ground cover,” a Council spokesperson said.
“It will readily colonise disturbed, bare areas along roadsides and heavily stocked areas around yards and watering points.”
Parthenium reduces the reliability of improved pasture and pasture production potential.
The plant is an annual herb with a deep tap root and an erect stem that becomes woody with age.
As it matures, it develops multiple branches in its top half and may eventually reach a height of two metres.
Its leaves are pale green, deeply lobed and covered with fine soft hairs.
Small creamy white flowers occur on the tips of the stems and each flower contains four to five black, wedge-shaped seeds two millimetres long with two thin, white scales.
Parthenium seeds can spread via water, vehicles, machinery, stock, feral and native animals and in feed and seed.
Drought conditions also aid the spread of parthenium seeds with increased movements of stock fodder and transports.
If residents suspect they have found parthenium on their property, they are asked to report it to the SBRC on (07) 4189-9100 for formal identification and support.
