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Glush weed

Pest alert

If you have seen this plant

Call QPIF  13 25 23

Closeup photograph of a short piece of a stem of hygrophylla which shows the leaves growing in opposite pairs with a brown whorl present in the axil of each leaf
Glush weed leaves and stem
Photo of the Hygrophylla plant
Glush weed
Photo of the Hygrophylla stem
Glush weed stem
Photo of Hygrophylla plant
Glush weed infestation

General information

Glush weed (Hygrophila costata) is a Class 1 declared pest plant in Queensland. Class 1 pests established in Queensland are subject to eradication from the state. 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 the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. Penalties of up to $60,000 apply.

A native of Mexico and Argentina, glush weed was first recorded in Queensland at Noosa in 1993. Glush weed is an emerging problem for waterways in Queensland. The main danger lies in the aggressive growth of this plant, posing a competitive threat to native water plants.

Overview

Species name Hygrophila costata
Impacts
  • aggressive growth poses a competitive threat to native water plants
  • forms mats of dense, floating growth at the edges of freshwater lakes
Description
  • erect, emergent herb up to about 1 m tall
  • leaves grow in opposite pairs, are coarse in texture, have prominent veins and a distinct midrib
  • papery, white flower whorls borne in the axils of the leaves turn brown upon maturity
  • spreading stems sprout new roots from the nodes when in contact with soil
  • larger stems can be quite robust
Declaration details
  • 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

Page maintained by Sonia Jordan
Last updated 09 December 2008
URL: http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/cps/rde/xchg/dpi/hs.xsl/cps/rde/dpi/hs.xsl/4790_7302_ENA_HTML.htm

© The State of Queensland, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries 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 Primary Industries and Fisheries, 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).