Senecio glastifolius L.f.

Management Notes (for the Swan NRM Region)

Alternative Names. Pink Ragwort.

General Biology. Growth form. Herb. Life form. Perennial. Reproduction. Seed, also stem fragments. Dispersal. Wind, soil, machinery. Seedbank persistence. Several years. Fire response. Fire stimulates mass germination of soil-stored seed.

Notes. Recorded as naturalised in 1986 near Albany. The only other introduced populations occur in New Zealand, where it has spread rapidly and has become a serious environmental weed. Is an alert list species in Australia. It is particularly invasive in open damp areas where it is able to dominate understorey vegetation. Produces prolific seed. In warm wet conditions seed will germinate within 2 weeks. Does not generally experience a dormant period although in drought conditions it may not grow over summer. Bee-pollinated. Plants are thought to survive less than 4 years. Fire stimulates germination of seed and can facilitate spread particularly when there is adequate follow-up rainfall. Other disturbance such as slashing and soil cultivation promote germination.

Additional information. Origin. Cape region of South Africa. History of use/introduction. Ornamental.

Suggested method of management and control. A combination of hand removal and spraying is usually effective. Hand remove small infestations before seed set. Any flower heads must be destroyed by burning to prevent seed from ripening. In mid-late autumn, apply Lontrel® at 10 ml/10 L (500 ml/ha) + wetting agent just before stem elongation in spring. Grubbing or mowing is not recommended as it will grow from root fragments. Annual followup control of seedlings that have germinated from the soil seedbank, especially following any fire events will be required. Read the manufacturers' labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. For further information consult the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to determine the status of permits for your situation or state.

Management Calendar

Legend: Y = Yes, regularly, O = Occasionally, U = Uncertain, referred by others but not confirmed.

 

References

• Brown, K. & Brooks, K. (2002) Bushland Weeds: A Practical Guide to their Management. Environmental Weeds Action Network, Greenwood.
• CRC Weed Management (2003) Weed management guide: Holly Leaved Senecio - Senecio glastifolius. URL: http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/biodiversity/invasive/weeds/weeddetails.pl?taxon_id=67905 - Accessed March 2010.
• Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. & Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. 2nd Edition. The Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park.
• Moore, J.H. & Wheeler, J. (2008) Southern weeds and their control. DAFWA Bulletin 4744.
• Scott, J.K., Batchelor, K.L., Ota, N. & Yeoh, P.B. (2008) Modelling climate change impacts on sleeper and alert weeds: Results of CLIMEX models part 3. CSIRO, Wembley, Western Australia.
• Taranaki Regional Council (2002) Pest plants: Pink ragwort (Senecio glastifolius). URL: http://www.taranakiplants.net.nz/weeds/pestplants/pink_ragwort.html - Accessed March 2010.
• Williams, P.A., Ogle, C.C., Timmins, S.M., La Cock, G. & Reid, V. (1999) Biology and ecology of Senecio glastifolius and its spread and impacts in New Zealand. Science for Conservation, 112: 23.