Environmental weeds are introduced plant species that are invading areas of native vegetation, preventing the natural regeneration of native plants and interrupting the natural functioning of ecosystems. Most environmental weeds in the South East are not declared plants, although some are proclaimed, such as Bridal Creeper, Boneseed and African Boxthorn. Many of these environmental weeds are garden or agricultural plants that have found their way into areas of native vegetation. They have been able to establish self sustaining populations and displace native flora.

 

Some of the worst environmental weeds in the region are Bluebell Creeper, Buckthorn, Polygala, Shiny Leaf and Blue Periwinkle. However, there are many more out there. For more information about these environmental weeds, see the fact sheets below. For further information about environmental weeds and ways to control them, there are some fantastic resources, such as “Bush Invaders of South-Eastern Australia” by Adam Muyt and “Stop Bushland Weeds, A successful guide to weeding in South Australia’s bushland” by Meg Robertson.

 

There are also several native plant species that people commonly confuse as environmental weeds. Many people have inadvertently controlled these native plant species thinking they are weeds such as Bridal Creeper, Bluebell Creeper and African Boxthorn. The fact sheets below will help you to identify common native species from these environmental weeds.