Title: Weed found north of Melbourne threatens waterways
[Diamond Valley Leader, Nillumbik 17 Nov 2010] -- AUTHORITIES are struggling to work out how a noxious weed made its way into the pond of a much loved Eltham park. The Department of Primary Industry recently found about 30 water hyacinth weeds near a drain and reeds in Alastair Knox Park’s wetland. Kylie Woods, a weed alert contact officer with the department, said the hyacinth a native South American plant that has engulfed Asia and tropical Queensland was successfully removed. But she said its appearance in the wetland, which acted as a filter for stormwater running into Diamond Creek, was a mystery.
"It has been found in Melbourne but mostly in backyard ponds," Ms Woods said. "We do not know if it flowed in through stormwater or someone actually put it there. "We are lucky because it does back off a little over winter but it thrives in tropical conditions." Ms Woods said the water hyacinth posed a huge threat to the state’s waterways and biodiversity due to its fast-growing and invasive nature. She said residents should contact the department immediately if they spotted the plant. "Because there is an overflow to the creek it may have run down into the waterway," she said. "Our biggest concern is that someone sees it, takes it out and puts it into their pond. "It takes only three-four days to double in size so it could cover somewhere like (the wetland) over summer.
Places such as Vietnam are totally covered with it." Department weed alert project officer Annie Lamb said the plant had large, attractive, mauve-coloured flowers with a yellow dot on its upper petal. She said the department was investigating how the weed entered the wetland. "It is important that we understand where the plants came from to track down any others that may be out there," Ms Lamb said. ~ Anyone who thinks they may have seen water hyacinth should contact the DPI customer service centre: 136 186.
Article: WeedsNews1329 (permalink) Categories: :WeedsNews:aquatic weeds, :WeedsNews:weed alert Date: 22 November 2010; 10:14:17 AM AEDT