Senegal tea
Gymnocoronis spilanthoides
family
Asteraceae
origin
Exotic
declaration
Category 3 Restricted Matter (Biosecurity Act 2014)
Must not be distributed or disposed. This means it must not be released into the environment unless the distribution or disposal is authorised in a regulation or under a permit.
Common names
Senegal tea.
An aquatic plant, either forming a rounded bush or a tangled mass of vegetation along waterways. Its stems (up to 20 mm thick) are hollow between the joints and its leaves are arranged in opposite pairs. These leaves are somewhat elongated in shape (4-20 cm long and 1.5-8 cm wide) and have toothed margins its flower-heads are fluffy in appearance (12-20 mm across), white or pale purplish-white in colour, and arranged in small dense clusters at the tips of the leafy branches. Its yellowish-brown 'seeds' (about 5 mm long) are ribbed and hairless.
Impact
Impact
Senegal tea plant (Gymnocoronis spilanthoides) is regarded as an environmental weed in Queensland and New South Wales, and as a potential environmental weed or "sleeper weed" in other parts of Australia. Its distribution is relatively limited at present, but it is on the Alert List for Environmental Weeds, a list of 28 non-native plants that threaten biodiversity and cause other environmental damage. This aquatic plant grows out over the surface of slow-moving or stationary water bodies and can form dense, floating mats of vegetation. It grows very quickly in fertile environments, with growth rates exceeding 15 cm a week being reported. Senegal tea plant (Gymnocoronis spilanthoides) will invade and degrade natural wetlands and waterways by competing strongly with slower growing native plants. It will eventually replace the native plants, thereby also affecting the birds and other animals that are dependent upon them for food and shelter. Hence, Senegal tea plant (Gymnocoronis spilanthoides) poses a significant threat to the health of entire wetland ecosystems.This species is currently of most concern in south-eastern Queensland and eastern New South Wales, but it has the potential to become a major weed of wetlands throughout much of Australia. In south-eastern Queensland, where it is ranked among the top 50 most invasive plant species, several relativelt large infestations are being actively managed. While in New South Wales, Senegal tea plant (Gymnocoronis spilanthoides) is currently mainly a problem in the region between Taree and Dapto.
Location
Location
Characteristics
Characteristics
Similar Species
Similar Species
Senegal tea plant (Gymnocoronis spilanthoides) is regarded as an environmental weed in Queensland and New South Wales, and as a potential environmental weed or "sleeper weed" in other parts of Australia. Its distribution is relatively limited at present, but it is on the Alert List for Environmental Weeds, a list of 28 non-native plants that threaten biodiversity and cause other environmental damage. This aquatic plant grows out over the surface of slow-moving or stationary water bodies and can form dense, floating mats of vegetation. It grows very quickly in fertile environments, with growth rates exceeding 15 cm a week being reported. Senegal tea plant (Gymnocoronis spilanthoides) will invade and degrade natural wetlands and waterways by competing strongly with slower growing native plants. It will eventually replace the native plants, thereby also affecting the birds and other animals that are dependent upon them for food and shelter. Hence, Senegal tea plant (Gymnocoronis spilanthoides) poses a significant threat to the health of entire wetland ecosystems.This species is currently of most concern in south-eastern Queensland and eastern New South Wales, but it has the potential to become a major weed of wetlands throughout much of Australia. In south-eastern Queensland, where it is ranked among the top 50 most invasive plant species, several relativelt large infestations are being actively managed. While in New South Wales, Senegal tea plant (Gymnocoronis spilanthoides) is currently mainly a problem in the region between Taree and Dapto.
