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Ludwigia
Botanical name: Ludwigia peruviana
Noxious Weed Category: Class 3
Ludwigia Regional Management Plan
Photo: Adam Burrowes Bush regeneration team working on Ludwigia infestation. Photo: Nicola Mason
Description
Originating from Central and South America, Ludwigia was introduced to Australia in 1911. It is a fast growing terrestrial or partially submerged shrub to 4m tall, usually confined to freshwater creek lines, banks and wetlands. It is deciduous in Sydney.
Leaves are alternate, lanceolate from 4 to 12 cm long and finely haired. Flowers are bright yellow, solitary with 4-5 petals. Flowering in mid summer to early autumn in Sydney. Fruit erect 4-angled capsules containing around between 1000-3000 sticky, pepper-like seeds.
Dispersal
Seed explosion from capsule into water and spread by birds. Seeds readily adhere to feathers. The number of seeds below dense Ludwigia peruviana can be over 300 000 per sq metre.
Impact on bushland
It is vigorously opportunistic, clogging waterways and dominating over all other water and creek bank vegetation.
Control
Manual:
- First carefully remove any seed heads and bag them securely in plastic bags. Best incinerated, avoid further seed spread.
- Care should be taken not to inadvertantly spread seed attached to clothing.
- Seedlings can be hand pulled, but larger plants will re-shoot unless the majority of the many long embedded roots is removed.
- Discarded plants left lying on soil may take root.
- Always follow up the control of Ludwigia by rechecking the plant for any regrowth and the area for any new seedlings.
See Manual Weed Control Techniques.
Chemical: Please contact your local control authority for advice on chemical control.
Similar species
Ludwigia longifolia, a new emerging weed of concern in Sydney North, has grass-like foliage but similar flowers and seed capsules.
References
WEEDeck, Sainty and Associates