Looking to better manage Fireweed and African Boxthorn: New and updated manuals are now…

Fireweed and African Boxthorn are major weeds with economic, environmental, and social impacts. A new National Best Practice Management Manual for Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) and a revised edition of the National Best Practice Management Manual for African Boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum) are now available to assist in better managing these weeds.

“Weeds are estimated to cost our agricultural industry close to $4.9 billion annually’,” said Australian Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer, Dr Bertie Hennecke.

“Managing Australia’s weed problems requires a collaborative effort. These new and updated manuals provide land managers with comprehensive and practical guides to managing these two highly invasive plant species.”

These manuals, developed with funding from the Australian Government, provide information on best practice management, to promote efficient and effective long-term control of these weeds in Australia. The authors have distilled scientific expertise and the extensive weed management experience of land holders into these information manuals. Each best practice guide is filled with tips and tricks that if followed consistently, will achieve results.

Though eradication of these weeds is extremely difficult once they have become well established, it is possible to successfully bring them under control by understanding the weed’s lifecycle, having a plan, and using a combination of physical and chemical removal techniques.

The National Best Practice Management Manual for Fireweed and National Best Practice Management Manual for African Boxthorn are now available to download from the Weeds Australia website.