logo IPPC
      FAQ            Log in

Limnocharis flava in northern Queensland

Publication Date
Fri, 05 Mar 2010, 00:00
Last Updated
June 30, 2015, 6:06 a.m.
Report Number
AUS-35/2
Country
Australia
Pest Id
Limnocharis flava - (LMNFL)
Report Status
Final
Hosts
Invasive aquatic weed
Pest Status (old values from ISPM 8 -1998 )
  • Present: under eradication
Pest Status (ISPM 8 - 2021)
  • Present: not widely distributed and under official control
Geographical Distribution
Infestation was originally detected in Kuranda, Far North Queensland in 2001. To date infestations detected in northern Australia have included plants located in backyard ponds, ornamental lakes, farm drains and in natural waterways.
Summary

Limnocharis is a perennial, anchored, climp-forming aquatic herb that grows over a meter in height. The pale green leaves occur on triangular petioles which can be up to 85 cm in length. Fruit contain up to 1000 seeds. It can flower within 23 days. Mature fruit, follicle and seed are all buoyant to aid water dispersal. It can also spread vegetatively. It is spread by water, but also may spread in mud adhering to vehicles, machinery, footwear, waterbirds and animals.

Nearly half of the infestations have been eradicated, a third are in a monitoring phase and the remainder are in the control phase.

Danger
Limnocharis is considered to be a major weed in many countries. It is a perennial aquatic plant which colonises shallow wetlands and margins of deeper waterways. It can quickly grow to dominate native aquatic plants and affects the ecology of stream banks by displacing native flora and fauna. Limnocharis can change the hydrology of water bodies by reducing the width of channels, thereby restricting water flow and becoming silt traps. It can also restrict human and livestock access to water and provide favourable breeding areas for disease vectors like mosquitoes. In Asia, Limnocharis hinders agricultural production by infesting rice paddies, irrigation channels and drainage ditches leading to the abandonment of rice paddies. Infestations pose a serious agricultural and biodiversity threat to northern Australia.
Contact for info
Australian Chief Plant Protection Officer Australian Government Department of Agriculture, GPO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601 Australia [email protected]
Report files
Website
http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/4790_7311.htm
Issue keywords
Pest reporting
Commodity keywords

« Back to Pest Reports



Revisions