Read about prescribed measures for the control of noxious weeds. Prescribed measures for the control of noxious weeds: Agricultural and economic impactsĭense infestations of spiny broom reduce grazing potential. Spiny broom can out-compete native plants and has an impact on native ecosystems, waterways, and agricultural land. Impact Impact on ecosystems and waterways The icons on the following table represent the times of year for flowering, seeding, germination, the dormancy period of Spiny broom and also the optimum time for treatment. Spiny broom prefers warm-temperate regions growing on slightly acidic, dry, rocky soils in areas with moderate rainfall. Little is known about the seedbank and propagule persistence of spiny broom, but closely related species like English Broom can produce over 12,000 seeds annually, with seeds able to last up to 30 years in the soil. It is dispersed over further distances when it contaminates equipment, machinery, produce, animals and mud. Spiny broom is dispersed locally when its seeds are ejected from the pods during hot sunny weather. Growth and lifecycle Method of reproduction and dispersal The fruit of spiny broom is grey-black or dark reddish-brown in colour.įruit are smooth, flattened pods about 40mm long with two pronounced ridges along one edge ending in a short spine. Spiny broom flowers in spring and summer usually when it is 2 or more years old. Its larval food plants include certain thistles and Spanish Broom. Spiny broom flowers are bright yellow, 12 to 15mm long and clustered towards the end of branches. Insects that go through a complete metamorphosis often have larvae very different in. The plant is deciduous but may also lose leaves under severe stress. Leaves are alternately arranged and are divided into three oblong to oval-shaped leaflets 5 to 10mm long, with the middle leaf being the largest. Spiny broom leaves are dark green or grey-green, hairy underneath and may occur in clusters. Young stems remain green for the first 2 to 3 years before turning brown. Stems of spiny broom are multi-branched from the base and armed with sharp, rigid spines to 75mm long.

Restricted in the Mallee, Goulburn Broken, Glenelg Hopkins, West Gippsland, North Central, East Gippsland catchments. Regionally controlled in the Wimmera and Corangamite catchments. Regionally prohibited in the North East, Port Phillip and Western Port catchments. Plant status Catchment management authority boundaries Victorian Government role in invasive plant and animal management Protect our environment from the illegal online trade of noxious weeds

Prescribed measures for the control of noxious weeds

Insect eggs on spanish broom