[Diamond Valley Leader 27 Jan 2011][Shaun Campbell]--PARK rangers have uncovered an exotic weed with the potential to ravage fire-affected areas of the Diamond Valley. Residents are asked to help stamp out the invader before it takes hold. Parks Victoria ranger Natalie Brida found a single South African weed orchid at Strathewen late last year - an unwelcome surprise. The weed, which has infested parts of western and southwestern Victoria, was found near fire containment lines formed in February 2009. Ms Brida said the pest had not been previously sighted in the Kinglake region. Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) pest plants planning manager Penny Richards said the weed - particularly invasive at disturbed sites - was “exceptionally difficult to control”. Ms Richards said each plant produced tens of thousands of airborne seeds that could be blown many kilometres and remained viable for up to seven years.
Parks Victoria want residents to report sightings of the exotic South African Weed Orchid (pictured) after one was found in Strathewen
“It only takes a few seeds to be transferred to the soil for them to establish and grow,” Ms Richards said. “While only one plant has been found it is important that we continue to monitor areas.”
Ms Richards said the 30-50cm orchid, resembling a greenish-brown asparagus spear, was most likely introduced accidentally via vehicles or machinery, or “an escapee from a private orchid collection”.
She said the DSE and Parks Victoria last month began a large-scale weed control program in bushfire-affected areas. “Fire plays an important regenerative process for native plants but also leaves them vulnerable to competition from weed infestations,” she said.
“A complex mapping process was used to determine where weed control would be most valuable.”
