Learn more about weeds
Learn more about the classification and eradication of weeds.
In this section
Why fast action matters
The invasive species curve below illustrates the importance of rapidly responding to new and emerging weeds, while preventing introduction of new weeds to our region.
The higher the weed on the invasion curve, the more negative impacts it will deliver to our economy, environment and social values.
weeds
Weed characteristics
Weeds are a problem because they have one or more of the following undesirable properties:
- Cause damage to the natural environment and waterways
- Out-compete other species
- Harmful to livestock or people
- Taint or contaminate produce
- Cause allergies
- Increase fire hazards
- Interfere with agricultural practices
- Cause or accelerate soil erosion.
Priority weeds
Detailed weed information
Discover more about the species and biosecurity control levels of targeted weed species in New South Wales.
Key: P = Prevent, E = Eradicate, C = Contain
| Weed | Scientific name | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Aleman grass | (Echinochloa polystachya) | E |
| Alligator weed | (Alternanthera philoxeroides) | E |
| Anchored water hyacinth | (Eichhornia azurea) | P |
| Asparagus fern | (Asparagus virgatus) | C |
| Bitou bush | (Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. rotundata) | E |
| Black knapweed | (Centaurea xmoncktonii) | P |
| Black locust | (Robinia pseudoacacia) | C |
| Black willow | (Salix nigra) | C |
| Blue heliotrope | (Heliotropium amplexicaule) | C |
| Boneseed | (Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. monilifera) | E |
| Bridal creeper | (Asparagus asparagoides) | E |
| Bridal veil creeper | (Asparagus declinatus) | P |
| Broad-leaf pepper tree | (Schinus terebinthifolius) | C |
| Broomrapes | (Orobanche spp. all species except the native O. cernua var. australiana and O. minor) | P |
| Cabomba | (Cabomba caroliniana) | C |
| Cape broom | (Genista monspessulana) | E |
| Cecropia | (Cecropia peltata) | E |
| Cha-Om | (Senegalia pennata subsp. insuavis) | E |
| Chinese celtis | (Celtis sinensis) | C |
| Chinese knotweed | (Persicaria chinensis) | P |
| Chinese tallow tree | (Triadica sebifera) | C |
| Chinese violet | (Asystasia gangetica subsp. micrantha) | E |
| Cockscomb coral tree | (Erythrina crista-galli) (aka Cockspur coral tree) | C |
| Devil’s fig | (Solanum torvum) | C |
| East Indian hygrophila | (Hygrophila polysperma) | C |
| Eurasian water milfoil | (Myriophyllum spicatum) | P |
| Frogbit | (Limnobium spp. all species) | P |
| Gamba grass | (Andropogon gayanus) | P |
| Giant devil’s fig | (Solanum chrysotrichum) | C |
| Giant reed | (Arundo donax) | C |
| Glory lily | (Gloriosa superba) | C |
| Gorse | (Ulex europaeus) | E |
| Green cestrum | (Cestrum parqui) | C |
| Grey sallow | (Salix cinerea) | E |
| Groundsel bush | (Baccharis halimifolia) | C |
| Hawkweed | (Hieracium ssp. all species) | P |
| Honey locust | (Gleditsia triacanthos) | C |
| Horsetails | (Equisetum spp.) | P |
| Hydrocotyl | (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides) | P |
| Hygrophila | (Hygrophila costata and H. polysperma) | C |
| Hymenachne | (Hymenachne amplexicaulis) | P |
| Japanese walnut | (Juglans ailantifolia) | E |
| Job’s tears | (Coix lacryma-jobi) | E |
| Karoo acacia | (Vachellia karroo syn. Acacia karroo) | P |
| Kei apple | (Dovyalis kaffra) | P |
| Kidney leaf mud plantain | (Heteranthera reniformis) | E |
| Kochia | (Bassia scoparia excluding subsp. trichophylla) | P |
| Koster’s curse | (Clidemia hirta) | P |
| Kudzu | (Pueraria lobata) | C |
| Lagarosiphon | (Lagarosiphon major) | P |
| Leaf cactus | (Pereskia aculeata) | E |
| Leucaena | (Leucaena leucocephala) | C |
| Long-leaf willow primrose | (Ludwidgia longifolia) | C |
| Ludwidgia | (Ludwidgia peruviana) | P |
| Mahonia | (Berberis lomarliifolia) | E |
| Mexican feather grass | (Nassella tenuissima syn. Stipa tenuissima) | P |
| Miconia | (Miconia calvescens) | P |
| Mikania vine | (Mikania micrantha) | P |
| Mimosa | (Mimosa pigra) | P |
| Ming asparagus fern | (Asparagus macowanii var. zuluensis) (aka Pom-pom asparagus) | E |
| Monkey’s comb | (Pithecoctenium crucigerum) (aka White trumpet vine) | E |
| Moonflower | (Ipomoea alba) | C |
| Mysore raspberry | (Rubus niveus) (aka white blackberry) | E |
| Mysore thorn | (Caesalpinia decapetala) | C |
| Pampas grass | (Cortaderia selloana) | E |
| Paper mulberry | (Broussonetia papyrifera) | E |
| Parkinsonia | (Parkinsonia aculeata) | E |
| Parthenium weed | (Parthenium hysterophorus) | P |
| Pink pampas grass | (Cortaderia jubata) | P |
| Pond apple | (Annona glabra) | P |
| Prickly acacia | (Vachellia nilotica syn. Acacia nilotica) | P |
| Red cestrum | (Cestrum elegans) (aka elegant poison berry) | E |
| Rubber vine | (Cryptostegia grandiflora) | P |
| Scotch broom | (Cytisus scoparius subsp. scoparius) | P |
| Sea spurge | (Euphorbia paralias) | P |
| Seeded banana | (Musa ornata or M. velutina) | P |
| Senegal tea plant | (Gymnocoronis spilanthoides) | P |
| Shoebutton ardisia | (Ardisia elliptica) | P |
| Siam weed | (Chromolaena odorata) | E |
| Sicklethorn | (Asparagus falcatus) | E |
| Skunk vine | (Paederia foetida) | P |
| Spotted knapweed | (Centaurea stoebe subsp. micranthos) | P |
| Sticky nightshade | (Solanum sisymbriifolium) | E |
| Tobacco weed | (Elephantopus mollis) | E |
| Tropical soda apple | (Solanum viarum) | E |
| Water caltrop | (trapa spp. all species) | P |
| Water lettuce | (Pistia stratiotes) | E |
| Water mimosa | (Neptunia oleracea and N. plena) | P |
| Water soldier | (Stratiotes aloides) | P |
| Water star grass | (Heteranthera zosterifolia) | E |
| Witchweed | (Striga spp. except the native S. parviflora) | E |
| Yellow bells | (Tecoma stans) | C |
| Yellow burrhead | (Limnocharis flava) | P |
