Title: Echium plantagineum L.

Scientific Name:

Echium plantagineum L.

Common Names:

Paterson's curse, salvation Jane

More images via ALA

Herbicide Resistant:

More information on herbicide resistance status of this weed.

Habitat:

Warm-temperate regions, principally in areas with a dominant winter rainfall, where it is found on a wide range of soils. In Australia, it has become a common weed of degraded pastures, roasides and neglected areas. It sometimes occurs in crops if sowing is early and/or land preparation is poor. Paterson's curse will invade mallee shrubland, lowland grassland and grassy woodland, dry sclerophyll forest and woodland riparian vegetation (Carr et al., 1992).

Distribution:

Original source via CABI

Invasiveness Assessment

ESTABLISHMENT

1. Germination requirements? Can germinate at any time, however most seed germinates after the first and subsequent rains of autumn and winter. (Parsons & Cuthbertson, 1992)

2. Establishment requirements? Est. Open Areas. (Parsons & Cuthbertson, 1992; Groves et al., 1995)

3. How much disturbance is required? Est. crops, mainly pasture. * also a ‘serious’ weed of Mallee shrub land, low and grassland & grassy woodland, dry sclerophyll forest & woodland & riparian veg. (Carr et al. 1992; Parsons & Cuthbertson, 1992; Groves et al., 1995).

GROWTH / COMPETITIVE

4. Life form? Annual/biennial herb

5. Allelopathic properties? None described

6. Tolerates herb pressure? Consumed by sheep but not preferred : avoided by cattle and horses. (Parsons & Cuthbertson, 1992)

7. Normal growth rate? “Competes strongly with more valuable pasture species”. “Has been shown to compete with & reduce product growth from T. subterraneum”. * “It’s high early growth rate allows Paterson’s Curse to out compete other seedlings”. (Parsons & Cuthbertson, 1992 p. 329; Groves et al.,1995)

8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc? Tolerates moisture stress and frost (see distribution map). (Groves et al.,1995)

REPRODUCTION

9. Reproductive system? Reproducing by seed – cross & self pollination. (Parsons & Cuthbertson, 1992; Groves et al., 1995)

10. Number of propagules produced? Individual plants can produce up to 10,000 seeds. (Groves et al., 1995)

11. Propagule longevity? Small amount of seed remains dormant in the soil for at least 5 years. (Parsons & Cuthbertson, 1992)

12. Reproductive period? Forms dense monocultures. (see picture in Parsons & Cuthbertson, 1992 p. 327)

13. Time to reproductive maturity? Annual/biennial. (Parsons & Cuthbertson, 1992)

DISPERSAL

14.Number of mechanisms? Water, animals (internal & external), contaminant of hay or grain. (Parsons & Cuthbertson, 1992; Groves et al., 1995)

15.How far do they disperse? “Birds eat seed of E. plantagineum and may spread it over large distances”. “Movement of seed in water is important, particularly in hilly country where run off water carries them to lower areas”. “The most important means of spread, however, has been as a contaminant of hay or grain”. (Parsons & Cuthbertson, 1992)

Impact Assessment

RECREATION

1. Restrict human access? Although a weed of agriculture, it does occur in natural habitats such as grasslands, woodlands and heathlands. It can form very extensive persistent populations. The plant can cause skin irritation. ( Parsons & Cuthbertson, 1992; Groves et al.,1995)

2. Reduce tourism? The presence of this weed is obvious to the average visitor particularly during flowering. (Groves et al.,1995)

3. Injurious to people? “Some medical practitioners have established a link between the plant and hay fever.” “…the rough hairy texture of the leaves and stems causes skin irritation.” (Parsons & Cuthbertson, 1992)

4. Damage to cultural sites? While the presence of this plant is quite noticeable, there appears to be no evidence that it negatively affects cultural sites.

ABIOTIC

5. Impact flow? Terrestrial spp.

6. Impact water quality? Terrestrial spp.

7. Increase soil erosion? “…in heavily grazed pasture, [it leaves] bare ground when it dies back in summer.” Potential for erosion from both wind and water. (MLRAPCB)

8. Reduce biomass? It is primarily a weed of grazing land. Significant change to biomass unlikely. However, it competes “vigorously with smaller indigenous plants and impedes overstorey regeneration.” “The broad rosette leaves shade and smother most other species.” (Parsons & Cuthbertson, 1992; Muyt, 2001)

9. Change fire regime? “…it seeds and dries off in spring leaving little residue.” Little or no change to fire regime. (Groves et al.,1995)

COMMUNITY HABITAT

10(a) Impact on composition of high value EVC? EVC=Plains grassy woodland (E); CMA=West Gippsland; Bioreg=Gippsland Plain; VH CLIMATE potential. “Paterson’s curse can form very extensive, persistent populations in disturbed areas, competing vigorously with smaller indigenous plants and impeding overstorey regeneration.” Major impact on lower stratum, minor impact on mid strata. (Muyt, 2001)

10(b) Impact on medium value EVC? EVC=Hillcrest herb-rich woodland (D); CMA=North Central; Bioreg=Goldfields; VH CLIMATE potential. Not as competitive in high quality, intact native vegetation. Minor impact on grasses/ forbs. (Muyt, 2001)

10(c) Impact on low value EVC? EVC=Heathy woodland (LC); CMA=West Gippsland; Bioreg=Gippsland Plain; VH CLIMATE potential. Impact as in 10(b) above. (Muyt, 2001)

11. Impact on structure? “Paterson’s curse can form very extensive, persistent populations in disturbed areas, competing vigorously with smaller indigenous plants and impeding overstorey regeneration.” (Muyt, 2001)

12. Effect on threatened flora? not assessed

FAUNA

13. Effect on threatened fauna? not assessed

14. Effect on non-threatened fauna? Changes to structure may limit suitable fodder for non-threatened fauna.

15. Benefits fauna? “The seed forms a large part of the diet of [Australian] crested pigeons (Ocyphaps lophotes) in summer and autumn.” Also a food source for two species of Australian ants (Iridomyrmex discors and Prolasius spp.) (Groves et al., 1995)

16. Injurious to fauna? “…presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids contained in the plant cause cumulative chronic liver damage.” “Stiff bristles on all parts of mature plants irritate the udders of cows.” Potentially toxic and cause allergies in fauna. May not be grazed – No info on native spp. – Native spp more mobile unlikely to be grazing just on patto. (Parsons & Cuthbertson, 1992)

PEST ANIMAL

17. Food source to pests? Food source for introduced ant Pheidole megacephala. May be a food source for pest birds. (Groves et al., 1995)

18. Provides harbor? An annual. Unlikely to provide permanent harbor for pest animals. (Parsons & Cuthbertson, 1992)

AGRICULTURE

19. Impact yield? “…most graziers argue that the weed’s presence reduces both quantity and quality of useful fodder in pastures.” Cattle and horses tend to avoid the plant. (Parsons & Cuthbertson, 1992)

20. Impact quality? The plant can dominate in pastures reducing the quality of fodder. (Parsons & Cuthbertson, 1992)

21. Affect land values? The cost of control and eradication would add to farm operating costs over several years. A significant seed bank with seeds that last for over five years. Land value would decrease. (Parsons & Cuthbertson, 1992; Groves et al., 1995; Blood, 2001)

22. Change land use? Sheep find Paterson’s curse more palatable than do cattle and horses.” This may dictate a change in stock until the plant is controlled. (Parsons & Cuthbertson, 1992)

23. Increase harvest costs? “The plant can occur, and make harvesting difficult, in crops if seed bed preparation is poor and sowing is early.” (Groves et al., 1995)

24. Disease host/vector? None evident.

Feedback?

Do you have additional information about this plant that will improve the quality of the assessment? If so, we would value your contribution.

Assessment ratings originally made by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries.

The entry of this assessment was made possible through the generous support of an anonymous donor.

Attachments:

patersons_curse_backlit.jpg
urn_lsid_biodiversity.org.au_apni.taxon_308797.png
distribution_map (26).png

referenced by (2)

wra1033: Common Name - S (via salvation Jane)wra1029: Common Name - P (via Patersons curse)

Article: wra6 (permalink)
Categories: :wra:e, :wra:herbicide resistant, :wra:inv1, :wra:invh, :wra:inv2, :wra:invml, :wra:inv3, :wra:invmh, :wra:inv4, :wra:invl, :wra:inv5, :wra:inv6, :wra:inv7, :wra:inv8, :wra:inv9, :wra:inv10, :wra:inv11, :wra:inv12, :wra:inv13, :wra:inv14, :wra:inv15, :wra:imp1, :wra:impl, :wra:imp2, :wra:impml, :wra:imp3, :wra:impmh, :wra:imp4, :wra:imp5, :wra:imp6, :wra:imp7, :wra:imp8, :wra:imp9, :wra:imp10a, :wra:imp10b, :wra:imp10c, :wra:imp11, :wra:imp12, :wra:impm, :wra:imp13, :wra:imp14, :wra:imp15, :wra:imp16, :wra:imp17, :wra:imp18, :wra:imp19, :wra:imph, :wra:imp20, :wra:imp21, :wra:imp22, :wra:imp23, :wra:imp24
Date: 13 May 2009; 3:25:24 PM AEST

Author Name: David Low
Author ID: adminDavid