Senecio madagascariensis

Madagascan Fireweed, Fireweed at Hackett, ACT

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Identification history

	Senecio madagascariensis	18 Jul 2022	Tapirlord
	Senecio madagascariensis	18 Jul 2022	WalterEgo

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Significant sighting

MichaelMulvaney noted:

19 Jul 2022

A species that we need to keep on top of to prevent it becoming a major weed in our area - Great that you saw and acted on this source of potential infestation while it was one plant

User's notes

Just one plant. Pulled out, double bagged and disposed of. A bit of excitement on my ride home!

8 comments

Tapirlord wrote:

18 Jul 2022

Thanks for the report (and removal), there seem to be quite a few records from this part of Canberra now.

waltraud wrote:

30 Aug 2022

Thanks so much, Sam.
I think we have to prepare alerts (newsletter/poster etc) so that people can watch out for this highly invasive Weed of National Significance on their walks. To my knowledge, MFW was introduced to Gungahlin with lawn harvested from outside ACT. Given prevailing northwesterly winds, it was just a question of time when the first plants were to appear on Mts Majura/Ainslie.

Mike wrote:

30 Aug 2022

Parks and Conservation Service had a flyer a few years ago but I can’t find it. Maybe @ACTParks-InvasivePlantsTeam will have something.

abread111 wrote:

30 Aug 2022

This Hackett sighting is in an area where a new bike path was completed not too long ago. The recent Belconnen sighting was also in a spot where improvements had been made. So maybe the people doing these improvements are unknowingly spreading the weed in soil or sand or gravel that they are using.

Mike wrote:

30 Aug 2022

A couple of my sightings have been in the landscaping of the light rail line. Some more have been on roadsides. Parks have made major efforts to get rid of it in Gungahlin since it was imported in turf from NSW.

waltraud wrote:

31 Aug 2022

Presumably, we will see a lot more Fireweed in the coming years given the massive disturbance and neglect along Antill Street and the massive developments in North Watson which are causing more disturbance... Fireweed seeds are spread by wind or contaminated turf or other contaminated landscape material as in the Gungahlin case so any disturbance of soil is an invitation for Fireweed and other weeds...

HarleyB wrote:

31 Aug 2022

Great work on spotting and removing this.
We are seeing more widespread sightings of fireweed across the ACT but thankfully they are always only one or two plants. the major infestations in Coombes, Forde and Crace are nearly gone thanks to ongoing work over the years. The other major infestations (around Taylor) are still contained and regularly monitored.
@Mike @waltraud We do have an alert poster for Fireweed. If you would like some copies please let me know where to deliver or send them

waltraud wrote:

31 Aug 2022

Great Harley thanks for the quick response.
I suggest putting up some laminated posters at the main park entrances close to where we found Fireweed as well as the community board in Hackett and Watson. Would it be possible to have 10 copies, 8 of them laminated? perhaps Parkcare, Lauren or Mart) can laminate 8 and send them to my address.

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