Khaki weed
Alternanthera pungens
family
Amaranthaceae
origin
Exotic
declaration
Council Pest Vegetation (BCC Natural Asset Local Law)
Council Pest Vegetation (BCC Natural Asset Local Law)
Common names
Khaki weed, Creeping chaffweed, Khaki burr.
A long-lived, low-growing plant that forms a dense mat over the ground surface. Its creeping stems are somewhat hairy and produce roots at their joints. Its paired leaves usually differ in size (i.e. one leaf of the pair is significantly larger than its partner). Its greenish or greenish-yellow flowers are grouped together in small clusters (8-12 mm long) in the leaf forks. Some of the flower parts become hardened and form sharp prickles as they mature.
Impact
Impact
Khaki weed (Alternanthera pungens) is mainly regarded as a weed of lawns, pastures and disturbed sites near habitation. However, this species is also regarded as an environmental weed in large parts of northern Australia (i.e. in northern Queensland, the Northern Territory and northern Western Australia. In fact, during a recent survey, it was listed as a priority environmental weed in five Natural Resource Management regions throughout Australia.This species initially tends to be found along roadsides and in other highly disturbed sites. However, it can spread from these areas into disturbed natural environments and occasionally invades native pastures on sandy soils, where it out-competes most other species with its mat-forming habit.In Queensland, where this species is very common, there are numerous references to it being somewhat of a problem in natural areas. For example, one Queensland Parks and Wildlife publication describes khaki weed (Altrnanthera pungens) as an "introduced environmental weed species" in the desert uplands region in Queensland. Thuringowa City Council includes it amongst other weeds species in its list of potential environmental pests and it is regarded as a medium priority weed species in the Mackay-Whitsunday Wet Tropics region. Nebo Shire places it amongst a list of species that cause damage to the environment if not managed accordingly, while it is regulated by local law in the Beaudesert Shire due to its adverse impact on the environment.Khaki weed (Alternanthera pungens) is also spreading through the Northern Territory, having been recorded in the Darwin, Gulf, Katherine, Victoria River and Alice Springs districts. In Western Australia, khaki weed (Alternanthera pungens) is said to grow along creek banks, drainage channels and in grasslands and other disturbed natural vegetation.It is also widespread in New South Wales, where it has been reported from disturbed sites in conservation areas, particularly in drier inland regions (e.g. in Willandra National Park, Cocoparra National Park, Warrumbungles National Park, Mount Kaputar National Park and Narran Lake Nature Reserve). Khaki weed (Alternanthera pungens ) has also been recorded in conservation areas in South Australia (i.e. Coorong National Park) and north-western Victoria (i.e. Barkindji Biosphere Reserve).
Location
Location
Characteristics
Characteristics
Similar Species
Similar Species
Khaki weed (Alternanthera pungens) is mainly regarded as a weed of lawns, pastures and disturbed sites near habitation. However, this species is also regarded as an environmental weed in large parts of northern Australia (i.e. in northern Queensland, the Northern Territory and northern Western Australia. In fact, during a recent survey, it was listed as a priority environmental weed in five Natural Resource Management regions throughout Australia.This species initially tends to be found along roadsides and in other highly disturbed sites. However, it can spread from these areas into disturbed natural environments and occasionally invades native pastures on sandy soils, where it out-competes most other species with its mat-forming habit.In Queensland, where this species is very common, there are numerous references to it being somewhat of a problem in natural areas. For example, one Queensland Parks and Wildlife publication describes khaki weed (Altrnanthera pungens) as an "introduced environmental weed species" in the desert uplands region in Queensland. Thuringowa City Council includes it amongst other weeds species in its list of potential environmental pests and it is regarded as a medium priority weed species in the Mackay-Whitsunday Wet Tropics region. Nebo Shire places it amongst a list of species that cause damage to the environment if not managed accordingly, while it is regulated by local law in the Beaudesert Shire due to its adverse impact on the environment.Khaki weed (Alternanthera pungens) is also spreading through the Northern Territory, having been recorded in the Darwin, Gulf, Katherine, Victoria River and Alice Springs districts. In Western Australia, khaki weed (Alternanthera pungens) is said to grow along creek banks, drainage channels and in grasslands and other disturbed natural vegetation.It is also widespread in New South Wales, where it has been reported from disturbed sites in conservation areas, particularly in drier inland regions (e.g. in Willandra National Park, Cocoparra National Park, Warrumbungles National Park, Mount Kaputar National Park and Narran Lake Nature Reserve). Khaki weed (Alternanthera pungens ) has also been recorded in conservation areas in South Australia (i.e. Coorong National Park) and north-western Victoria (i.e. Barkindji Biosphere Reserve).
