Victorians are being urged to help stop the spread of two invasive aquatic weeds to protect the state’s biodiversity.
Agriculture Victoria biosecurity manager high-risk invasive plants Angela Constantine said the ongoing illegal trade of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes or Pontederia crassipes) and salvinia (Salvinia molesta) was putting the state at risk.
“The continued trade of these plants helps them to spread fast, and once introduced to a new area, these weeds quickly cover waterways,” she said.
“These weeds may look attractive, but their ability to quickly spread harms native plants and wildlife and reduces water quality for farming and recreation.”
Water hyacinth and salvinia are primarily spread by people purchasing and selling them for ornamental ponds, dams and aquariums. When they spread, they can cause damage by choking rivers, dams, lakes and irrigation channels.
“It is illegal to buy, sell or give away water hyacinth or salvinia in Victoria; however, in most cases, home gardeners are unaware of the potential harmful impacts of these weeds,” Ms Constantine said.
“When you consider that one water hyacinth plant can produce more than 3000 seeds over summer, you can see how easily they spread from a backyard pond — they also have extensive root systems that can generate other plants, too.
“The plants can be carried by birds to other waterways, and once established, the infestations can be costly and hard to control.
“Salvinia, also known as ‘water spangles’, is equally invasive and can cover an entire dam in just one season.”
Agriculture Victoria can safely treat, remove and dispose of state-prohibited weeds, including water hyacinth and salvinia, at no cost to the land owner.
If you suspect you have water hyacinth or salvinia on your property, take a photo of the plant and email it to weed.spotters@agriculture.vic.gov.au or call the Customer Contact Centre on 136 186.
You can also make a report online at www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/waterweeds