Eighty introduced plants species were identified by Douglas Shire Biosecurity Working Group as current or potential pests to one or more of the various land uses in the Douglas Shire Council area.

Of these, the pest plants with the highest priority rating were included in Council’s Biosecurity Management Plan.

Weed of the Month | Elephanopus mollis (Tobacco weed)

Tobacco weed is widespread in coastal districts particularly along roadsides, pastures and areas of disturbance.

Description
 Tobacco weed is a slender fast-growing herb up to 1.5m with rough/hairy oblong/oval leaves bunching at the base. The weed has small white flowers held in clusters at the end of upright stems. The leaves and stems are resinous and can irritate the skin.

Environmental Impacts
Tobacco weed can rapidly occupy disturbed and heavily grazed areas. Dense masses of seedlings smother grass. Tobacco weed prefers forest margins and road verges and can be highly competitive in production areas.

To learn more about Tobacco Weed:
View the QLD Government Tobacco weed Fact Sheet here
View the Council’s Biosecurity Tobacco weed Action Plan here

Contact DSC to report any suspect plants on 07 4099 9444

Do you know the difference between prohibited and restrictive plants? 

Prohibited Invasive Plants of Queensland

Under the Biosecurity Act 2014, certain species of invasive plants are listed as ‘Prohibited’ matter. It is an offence to deal with prohibited matter or fail to report its presence. Read more and view Queensland’s prohibited invasive plants Here.

Restrictive Invasive Plants of Queensland

Under the Biosecurity Act 2014, certain species of invasive plants are listed as ‘Restrictive’ biosecurity matter. Plants listed under restrictive biosecurity matter are categorised into 2, 3, 4 and 5. Each category have different restrictions based on the risk posed by that invasive plant. Read more about restrictive invasive plants of Queensland and view the categories Here.

Recommended Queensland Weed Identification App

The Weed Spotter App allows you to email photographs of plants to the Queensland Herbarium for identification. It has been developed to support the Weed Spotters Network, a joint project between the Queensland Herbarium, Biosecurity Queensland and local governments with funding support from the Land Protection Fund. The Weed Spotter app is now available for Android smartphones via the Google Play Store.

Learn more about the Weed Spotters App and how to use it here.

Apple’s iPhone users can simply use their camera to identify plants by following these steps:

  • Take a photo of the plant
  • Find the image image in your photo gallery
  • Select the “info” option on the bottom of the screen
  • Select “Look Up” – plant