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Paterson’s Curse – the purple menace

Noxious weed Paterson’s Curse (Echium plantagineum) has been identified growing on properties in Traralgon. It has affected land throughout the new development areas near Marshalls Road, and has also been identified in other parts of Traralgon.

By Portal Admin - 13th January 2017 - Back to News

Latrobe City CEO Gary Van Driel said it was unknown whether it was brought in on contaminated machinery, or if the seeds were already in the soil and the earthmoving associated with leveling sites had uncovered them.

"Paterson’s Curse (also known as Salvation Jane) is a familiar sight north of the Great Divide and throughout the Adelaide Hills. However the 'purple menace' as many have dubbed the noxious weed, is increasingly being found in Gippsland," Mr Van Driel said.

"Paterson’s Curse is a declared a noxious weed throughout Australia and it is every property owner’s responsibility to prevent its growth and spread. It can cause liver damage to all stock, with horses being the most susceptible, and it reduces pasture productivity by competing with more desirable pasture plants.

"The weed can produce more than 5000 seeds per plant per year, with its seeds remaining viable in the soil for at least five years. The pollen causes hay fever and the hairs on the plants are a skin irritant. It establishes large populations rapidly, especially on disturbed ground. We definitely do not want it becoming established here."

If you find Paterson’s curse in your garden or nature strip you should start controlling it immediately:

Herbicide is effective – ask your local retailer for advice and follow the label – but don't rely on one attempt at removal, follow-up is essential.

Hand-hoeing, pulling and cutting can be used to remove isolated plants provided the growing tip and the top 20 to 40 cm of the tap root are removed, otherwise regrowth may occur.

Don't leave flowering plants on the ground once removed, as the seed may still mature on hand-pulled, hoed or cut plants.

Cutting the flower stalks off, without any other control, will encourage more flower stalks to grow.

"It’s important to let your builders, fencing contractors and mowing companies know that there is Patterson’s curse in the area. They need to clean the soil and grass off their machinery on site, before taking it to the next job," Mr Van Driel said.

More information is available from Council's Environment Sustainability Team, phone 1300 367 700.

Paterson’s Curse is a noxious weed and has been sighted growing in parts on Traralgon.

Media Enquiries:

Media Relations Office

Telephone: 5128 5458

For general enquiries, contact Latrobe City Council on 1300 367 700.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com

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