Be on the lookout for orange hawkweed

Orange hawkweed.

Orange hawkweed poses a risk to agriculture and the environment.

Landholders are urged to be on the lookout for orange hawkweed and report suspected plants to Agriculture Victoria.

Agriculture Victoria Biosecurity Officer, Deven McPhan, said orange hawkweed has recently been found on properties, roadsides and gardens in the Daylesford, Trentham and Blackwood regions.

The sightings were reported through Agriculture Victoria’s Weed Spotters network. This network is made up of members of the public who play a key role in detecting and reporting State prohibited weeds in Victoria.

Orange hawkweed is a State prohibited weed, which is the highest category of declared weed in Victoria due to the risk they pose to agriculture, the environment and social amenity. State prohibited weeds are managed with the aim of eradicating them from Victoria.

It is a very aggressive competitor for light, soil nutrients and space and can cause significant harm to ecosystems by restricting the growth of neighbouring plants through the release of chemicals into the soil. This results in native plants being replaced by a dense mat of orange hawkweed.

“Biosecurity officers control orange hawkweed at various sites around Victoria that were planted when the species was traded, prior to its declaration as a State prohibited weed in 2003,” Mr McPhan said.

Orange hawkweed is easily identified by its bright orange daisy-like flowers with square ended petals. The flowers are up to 15 mm across and arranged in clusters on the stem.

The stems contain milky sap and are covered in stiff hairy bristles while the leaves of the plant, which are also very hairy, are green, and up to 150 mm long arranged in a rosette close to the ground.

If you find orange hawkweed, please do not attempt to treat or dispose of this weed. Agriculture Victoria will treat, remove or dispose of the orange hawkweed, at no cost to the landowner.

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