Cabomba (Cabomba caroliniana) weed management guide
Weeds of National Significance
Department of the Environment and Heritage and the CRC for Australian Weed Management, 2003
ISBN 1 9209 3204 6
PDF file
About the guide
Cabomba is a Weed of National Significance. It is regarded as one of the worst weeds in Australia because of its invasiveness, potential for spread, and economic and environmental impacts. It is choking waterways along Australia's east coast.
Cabomba grows quickly and produces a large amount of plant material. It can significantly reduce water storage capacity and taint drinking water supplies. Water treatment costs can be increased by up to $50 a megalitre. Heavy infestations can also raise water levels to a point where overflows and heavy seepage losses occur.
It is extremely persistent and can take over a water body, excluding native plant species. It can also have an impact on native animals - in northern Queensland platypus and water rat numbers are lower in infested creeks.
Cabomba's dense mass of underwater stems and leaves provide a hazard for recreational water users. When this vegetation dies off, decomposition causes dramatic oxygen reductions and foulsmelling water.
Contact details
Andrew Petroeschevsky
National Coordinator Aquatic Weeds
NSW Department of Primary Industries
Grafton Agricultural Research & Advisory Station
PMB 2, Grafton, NSW 2460
Phone: (02) 6640 1618 Mobile: 0429 455 282
andrew.petroeschevsky@dpi.nsw.gov.au
| Extent in Australia | Potential distribution |
|---|---|
| NT, QLD, NSW, VIC | Could further expand in current locations, plus WA, SA, TAS, ACT |
See also
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