Sleeper weeds
Sleeper weeds are plants that appear benign for many years, but which may suddenly spread rapidly following certain natural events such as flood, fire, drought, climate change, or change in land or water management. Sleeper weeds are not always recognised as a significant problem, even though the potential threat they pose to industry, people or the environment may be extreme.
Agricultural sleeper weeds are naturalised exotic plants, that are currently only present in small areas but that have the potential to spread widely and have a major impact on agriculture.
In 2003 the Bureau of Rural Sciences (BRS), through consultation with the Australian Weeds Committee, short-listed 17 potential agricultural sleeper weeds. BRS prioritised 10 species for which eradication was thought to be both desirable and feasible.
The potential agricultural sleeper weed list complements the Weeds of National Significance list, which includes weeds that are already widespread.
Sleeper weed list
Category 1
Species that are considered to have been eradicated but are recommended for ongoing field monitoring.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Extent in Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Common Crupina | Crupina vulgaris | SA |
| Parodi Spike Rush | Eleocharis parodii | NSW |
| Uruguayan Ricegrass | Piptochaetium montevidense | Vic |
Category 2
Species for which recent field surveys are complete and which are recommended for immediate eradication.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Extent in Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese Violet | Asystasia gangetica ssp. micrantha | NSW |
| Chilquilla | Baccharis pingraea | Vic |
| Mallee Cockspur | Centaurea eriophora | SA |
| Lobed Needle Grass | Nassella charruana | Vic |
| Meadow Parsley, Water Dropwort | Oenanthe pimpinelloides | SA, Vic |
| Taurian Thistle | Onopordum tauricum | Vic |
Category 3
Species considered suitable for eradication but for which field surveys on distribution are recommended to confirm feasibility of eradication.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Extent in Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Pannicle Jointvetch | Aeschynomene paniculata | Qld, NT? |
| Badhara Bush | Gmelina elliptica | Qld |
| Creeping Yellow Cress | Rorippa sylvestris | Tas, SA |
Category 4
Eradication is desirable but probably not feasible, for which field surveys on distribution are recommended to confirm this assessment.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Extent in Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Giant Tropical Salvia | Brillantaisia lamium | Qld |
| Chilean Dodder | Cuscuta suaveolens | SA |
| Orange Hawkweed | Hieracium aurantiacum | NSW, Tas, Vic |
| Snakecotton | Froelichia floridana | Qld |
| Square-stalked St John's Wort | Hypericum tetrapterum | Vic, Tas |
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Last updated: Tuesday, 24-Feb-2009 14:32:49 EST
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