Typha orientalis

Broad-leaved Cumbumgi at Mount Clear, ACT

Typha orientalis at Mount Clear, ACT - 23 Mar 2022
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Identification history

Typha orientalis 24 Mar 2022 MichaelMulvaney
Typha orientalis 23 Mar 2022 JaneR

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A few plants have established in Naas Creek. It would be a shame if these established plants spread

3 comments

   24 Mar 2022
Jane why would it be a shame isn't this bullrush a local native?
JaneR wrote:
   24 Mar 2022
Hi Michael
yes, it is a native, but it is an invasive native species. But if you have ever visited a typha swamp, you would be struck by the lack of biodiversity. This species is a very effective competitor. Because it has a robust rhizome and clonal growth, it can form tall dense mono-specific stands that exclude other plants: so it has the potential to lead to displacement and exclusion of small non-woody species.
I think of it as an ecosystem engineer, with potential to ecologically change a wetland system: and it is very resistant to management once established.

Recently (ie this 2022 summer) I have noticed isolated plants in quite a few wetland or swampy places in Namadgi, all young (ie 1-2 years old). Probably colonising following disturbance sequence of drought-fire-floods. It produces huge number of wind-dispersed seeds (little parasols, like a daisy): a few hundred thousand per spike.
Its native yes. But my opinion is that European settlement has helped it to extend its range and spread across landscapes by providing habitats for it to colonise and persist (farms dams; constructed wetlands; suburban lakes; weir pools; some storages).

That's my take !

cheers

jane
   24 Mar 2022
Thanks Jane
@ACTParks-InvasivePlantsTeam @NathanaelC
This is a thorny one - I wonder whether we should try and keep one of teh Namadgi creek catchments free of Typha

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