Tall Fleabane at Watson, ACT
Identification history
| Erigeron sumatrensis | 10 May 2023 | abread111 | ||
| Erigeron sumatrensis | 9 May 2023 | MPW |
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User's notes
Fleabane plants GRAZED stems, probably by Kangaroos ?
First time I have seen this weed being grazed over a relatively large area (100 sq meters or so). An encouraging sign that may help partiallly control this now very Pervasive weed species.
3 comments
abread111
wrote:
9 May 2023
Max, the grazing probably indicates the presence of rabbits! There are active warrens in this area. Look below at the nearby sightings. When I see fleabane with tops nipped off before the weeders get to them, I look for signs of rabbits and find scratchings, faecal pellets and usually a warren somewhere close by under a log or in the side of a creek.
Why did you include the map as part of the sighting? barb
Why did you include the map as part of the sighting? barb
MPW
wrote:
9 May 2023
Hi Barb, Thanks for your ideas on this Grazing. Appreciated. I did / do consider that Rabbits may also be involved with grazing at this location as there are plenty of Rabbits in the area judging by abundant dropping piles around, + also Warrens here. What made me think that Roos may (also) be involved is the Height of many of the grazed Fleabane stems, up to a metre or so, seems to tall for Rabbits to graze, unless they are bending the stems over ?? Unless we can get expert evidence/ interpretation of the "toothmarks" on the grazed stems, or photographic evidence (eg.from hidden wildlife camera), perhaps we could consider both Grazers as possible ? Re Map, I included this for ready reference to anyone interested, to show the general area of this location, at a quick glance. I'd be interested to hear from any other (area) Canberra Nature Mappers, if they have observed any similar grazing of Fleabane, anywhere else ??
waltraud
wrote:
11 May 2023
Kangaroos eat native grass unless drought and severe overgrazing of native grass cover force them to extend their diet which is currently not the case; Fleabane wouldn't grow under drought conditions; rabbits hares and Swamp wallabies are browsers; cuts of around 45 degrees indicate rabbit or hare.
Location information
- Coordinates 149.171944-35.228889
- Places Watson, ACT
Sighting information
- 101 - 1,000 Abundance
- 8 May 2023 10:30 AM Recorded on
- MPW Recorded by
-
Collections
Plants Daisies MPW Canberra & Southern Tablelands NatureMapr
Species information
- Erigeron sumatrensis Scientific name
- Tall Fleabane Common name
- Not Sensitive
- Exotic
- Medium weed or pest
- Up to 1257.91m Recorded at altitude
- Machine learning
-
In flower
-
Synonyms
Conyza sumatrensis Conyza albida
Record quality
- Images or audio
- More than one media file
- Verified by an expert moderator
- Nearby sighting(s) of same species
- GPS evidence of location
- Description
- Additional attributes
