North West Weeds
Your local guide to local noxious weed control (NSW, Australia)
|
|
|
North West Weeds |
Cestrum grows to a height of around 3 metres. Apart from the distinctive, yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers, there are two other important identification procedures:
Green cestrum sheds some of its leaves through the winter, and new growth kicks in during spring. Green cestrum officially flowers late spring to late summer. But, in north west NSW, green cestrum seems to flowers all year except mid-winter! Green cestrum can be toxic to animals including sheep, horses, pigs, poultry but ESPECIALLY CATTLE! According to "Noxious Plants of Australia" by Parsons & Cuthbertson (Inkata Press) it does not take much plant material to affect animals, "which become feverish with poor appetites and increased thirst, are excited and sometimes scour before developing a general paralysis. Death usually occurs within hours of the first signs of symptoms so animals are often found dead without any symptoms being seen. Post-mortem examination shows general haemorrhaging throughout the body tissues, a large amount of blood in the bowel and severe gastroenteritis." Stock owners should NEVER take the plant for granted. Green
cestrum is a mysterious plant. Animals can graze in amongst it for months
without any problems. Then, "out of the blue", a change of weather
The main danger period for animals is when the plants have been broken off, chemically treated or drought affected. As the plant material dries out, it can become more attractive to animals. Any part of the plant can be toxic. Another danger period is when stock, particularly cattle, are put into a new paddock. In these situations, stressed and disorientated animals will often try a variety of plants that they would not normally eat. 1. Manual control is an option for small patches. Physical removal of all plant material is very difficult because of the complex root system but the plant will eventually give up if you keep at it! Never leave any plant material where it can be eaten by stock. Drying plant material is at its most dangerous! 2. They are a number of herbicides registered for treatment of green cestrum. Again, a word of warning! Animals may be tempted to eat the plant material as it is drying out. Keep stock away until well after the leaves and other soft parts of the plant have decomposed. According to NSW DPI’s excellent booklet “Noxious and Environmental Weed Control Handbook 3rd Edition”, herbicide treatments include:
IMPORTANT: USE OF PESTICIDES – ALWAYS READ THE LABEL Pesticides must only be used for the purpose for which they are registered and must not be used in any other situation or in any manner contrary to the directions on the label. Never use a herbicide in any way contrary to the label recommendations. MORE INFORMATION: Includes "Noxious Plants of Australia", by Parsons and Cuthbertson [Inkata Press]. DISCLAIMER:
The information contained in this web site is based on knowledge and
understanding at the time of writing. However, because of advances in knowledge,
users are reminded of the need to ensure that information upon which they rely
is up to date and to check currency of the information with the appropriate
officer of North West Weeds or the user’s independent adviser. |
Send mail to
lestanner@aapt.net.au with questions or comments about this web site.
|
THIS
WEBSITE PROUDLY SPONSORED BY:
