Limnocharis (Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries)

Limnocharis

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Limnocharis

Pest alert

If you have seen this plant

Call QPIF  13 25 23

Photo of Limnocharis
Limnocharis flower
Photo of Limnocharis in situ
Limnocharis plant (Limnocharis flava)
Photo of Limnocharis
Limnocharis fruit and fruit segments containing seed
Photo of Limnocharis
Limnocharis plant

General information

Limnocharis (Limnocharis flava), also known as yellow burrhead, is a Class 1 declared pest plant in Queensland. It is the target of a national eradication program which means it is subject to eradication from Australia. Landowners must take reasonable steps to keep land free of Class 1 pests. It is a serious offence to introduce, keep or supply a Class 1 pest without a permit issued by Biosecurity Queensland. Penalties of up to $80,000 apply.

Limnocharis presents a serious agricultural and biodiversity threat to northern Australia. To date infestations detected in northern Australia have included plants located in backyard ponds, ornamental lakes, farm drains and in natural waterways.

Overview

Scientific name

Limnocharis flava
Impacts
  • colonises shallow wetlands and margins of deeper waterways
  • displaces native plants and animals
  • restricts human and livestock access to water
  • provides breeding areas for mosquitoes
  • restricts water flow and traps silt
Description
  • anchored aquatic plant with erect stems (i.e. leaves do not lie flat on surface of the water body)
  • up to 1 m above the water-line
  • flowers are small, yellow and cup-shaped
Habitat/distribution/life cycle
  • native to South America
  • introduced to the southern United States and parts of Asia
  • grows in saturated, fertile and muddy conditions
  • frost-sensitive
  • can flower all through the year
  • reproduces vegetatively from cuttings, detached leaves and stems and by seed
  • seeds are spread by running water, water birds and animals, and by mud sticking to vehicles, machinery and footwear
  • potential distribution in Australia includes the coastal regions of the Northern Territory, northern Western Australia and much of eastern Queensland
Control
  • Limnocharis flava is the target of a national eradication program.

  • New infestations must:
    - be reported to the Biosecurity Queensland hotline, Phone 13 25 23
    - be identified and removed by approved officers
    - have their locations recorded prior to removal
Declaration details
  • a declared Class 1 plant under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002
  • importation, possession and sale is prohibited
  • landowners are required by law to keep their land free of this plant
Further information
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Page maintained by Sonia Jordan
Last updated 30 October 2009

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© The State of Queensland, Primary Industries and Fisheries within the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation 1995-2009.
Copyright protects this material. Except as permitted by the Copyright Act, reproduction by any means (photocopying, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise), making available online, electronic transmission or other publication of this material is prohibited without the prior written permission of The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Queensland. Inquiries should be addressed to copyright@dpi.qld.gov.au (Queensland residents phone 13 25 23; non-Queensland residents phone 61 7 3404 6999).