Phytolacca americana

American Pokeweed at Molonglo River Reserve

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Identification history

Phytolacca americana	2 Apr 2024	RWPurdie	Verified by Australian National Herbarium	CANB 996622
Phytolacca octandra	2 Apr 2024	RWPurdie	Verified by Australian National Herbarium	CANB 996622
Phytolacca americana	18 Jan 2024	natureguy
Phytolacca americana	18 Jan 2024	natureguy
Phytolacca octandra	16 Jan 2024	SteveBorkowskis

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Significant sighting

natureguy noted:

18 Jan 2024

First ACT record of this weed which is also quite toxic to humans so great that is has been removed promptly

16 comments

natureguy wrote:

17 Jan 2024

This isn't P. octandra, I wonder about other Phytolacca species e.g. P. americana?

Tapirlord wrote:

17 Jan 2024

i'd suggest taking a specimen to the gardens

SteveBorkowskis wrote:

17 Jan 2024

Thanks Ciaran, I’ll try to make it happen.

MichaelMulvaney wrote:

18 Jan 2024

@Steve818 Steve I tried to check whether Phytolacca americana was on Paul's weed alert list but this now seems to be only accessible by ACT Government officer if i go via the ACT weeds management plan program link. Pretty sure this is a Phytolacca but doesn't seem to definitely key to any of teh species in plantnet. Given location on Molonglo River would be good to resolve quickly

Steve818 wrote:

18 Jan 2024

@MichaelMulvaney try these links, they should work now:
Operations plan https://actgov.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=cd59d70662c94c75a0492635f7925384#
Advisory list of naturalised exotic plants https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uBNiQCtIy2APabsa7bP1o8v2-DJmrVix/edit#gid=753253221
Naturalised non-local native plants https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UwjgpX8Y6dYPabtUA84ZsWDu7MYcbCzU/edit#gid=644747902
Alert list of alien plants https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TguOBvABFE7LnSs2M_zXDnGgYYwXPzCJ/edit#gid=199822994

Will send this conversation to Ranger Nic at the Molonglo. He is on NatureMapr - forgot his username.

SteveBorkowskis wrote:

18 Jan 2024

nic.jario

Steve818 wrote:

18 Jan 2024

@nic.jario see discussion above

MichaelMulvaney wrote:

18 Jan 2024

Thanks Steve - links working P. occtandra has a moderate risk rating - P.americana not on list

nic.jario wrote:

18 Jan 2024

Good find Steve. Please carry out cut and paint control and take a sample to the gardens as suggested. P. americana is said to produce toxins so please wear gloves when conducting control. Bag removed plant material and avoid contact with sap. Please pass this info on when you drop off a sample.

SteveBorkowskis wrote:

18 Jan 2024

The plant has been cut and dabbed, bagged and removed from the reserve. Sample material has been delivered to ANBG for identification.

MichaelMulvaney wrote:

18 Jan 2024

Thanks Steve great job

Steve818 wrote:

18 Jan 2024

@nic.jario directed me to this Wikipedia page. Very interesting about the toxicity: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytolacca_americana
Sounds almost on par with Death-cap Mushrooms.

Steve818 wrote:

18 Jan 2024

@nic.jario @MichaelMulvaney @Tapirlord @natureguy @ACTBioSecurity @HarleyB Confirmed by the Herbarium as Phytolacca americana . Delimiting search will occur tomorrow. Well done @SteveBorkowskis .

Steve818 wrote:

18 Jan 2024

https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/invasive-species/biosecurity-alert-pokeweed

natureguy wrote:

18 Jan 2024

Thanks Steve and everyone great to know my initial idea was right on this one and great it has been removed

HelenCross wrote:

19 Jan 2024

Great work @SteveBorkowskis and everyone!

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