[The Land 19 Oct. 2010] -- “Widespread surveillance is also building confidence that this new weed may be contained to a controllable area on the NSW north and mid north coast areas,” said Rod Ensbey, Invasive Species Officer at Industry & Investment NSW. “The first known infestation in Australia of Tropical Soda Apple was recently found near Kempsey. It has since been detected:
along a 60km stretch of the Macleay River from Georges Creek through to Bellbrook,
at the Grafton and Wingham saleyards,
near Nana Glen and Karangi in the Orara Valley, and
near Copmanhurst and Glenreagh in the Clarence valley.
“The Copmanhurst infestation received an initial treatment yesterday as part of the ongoing efforts to eradicate the weed.
“A major co-ordinated treatment campaign will also be conducted in the Macleay early next month.
“Weeds officers from local government are conducting the on-ground works and surveillance programs while I&I NSW is coordinating the project, providing technical advice and financial assistance.”
Mr Ensbey said Tropical Soda Apple is a very aggressive weed that can quickly invade pastures, so all North Coast councils are now on alert.
“In a positive sign, extensive monitoring of likely hotspots has not detected any further spread,” he said.
“Tropical Soda Apple has a distinctive golf-ball sized fruit that is like a small water melon which turns yellow as it matures – and it is a very prickly and spiky plant, up to 1.5m tall.
“Cattle are attracted to the fruit and spread this weed by ingesting and passing the seed so facilities like cattle yards, saleyards, abattoirs and holding paddocks are likely hotspots.
“Tropical Soda Apple has been mis-identified with a number of other related solanum species, including Devil’s Apple and Apple of Sodom.
“Landholders are urged to look out for the weed and report any findings to their local council.
“It is important to have any suspicious plants identified.”
Tropical Soda Apple is a major problem in the US and can form dense prickly stands drastically reducing livestock carrying capacity.
Further information on the identification and control of Tropical Soda Apple is available at the website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/weeds