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Aluminium Plant (Lamium galeobdelum)
Also known as yellow archangel, this creeping plant is usually an escapee from surburban gardens and illegal dumping inside the national park. Seldom seen but can be very invasive.
Small patches can be dug up and left to rot. Large patches are best tackled with a suitable herbicide.
Agapanthus (Agapanthus praecox spp. orientalis)
Clumping shrub to 60cm high, native of South Africa. This plant probably entered the national park through abandoned house sites and illegal rubbish dumping. Can form large localised colonies.
Blue or white flowers are followed by profuse seeds; can also reproduce vegetatively through rhizome branching. Leaves and rhizome poisonous.
Remove by digging up the plants or slashing the leaves near the ground and poisoning with a herbicide.
Angled Onion (Allium triquetrum)
Clumping herb to 30cm high, origin in the Western Mediterranean. Very common weed in moist, sheltered areas around Chandlers Hill.
Can spread widely, forming dense, extensive colonies from seeds (dispersed by water, ants and humans) and bulb proliferation. Seeds short-lived and not much viable after a year. Foliage dies off in summer.
Remove by spraying plants with a herbicide prior to flowering if possible to give the herbicide time to act before seed formation. Can also be removed by digging up the bulbs, but tedious for large patches.
Annual Poa (Poa annua)
This small, tussocky grass is widespread throughout Australia and is a native of Europe and temperate Asia.
Leaves are light green and the tips are boat-shaped. Grows up to 30cm tall.
This is an annual species and can be eradicated if seeding is prevented.
Arum Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica)
Small clumping plant to 1m high, native of South Africa. Usually encountered on old house sites in moist and sheltered locations.
Slow vegetative dispersal via rhizome growth and by seeds. Seeds short-lived and not viable from year to year.
Remove by digging up the plants or slashing the stems and spraying a herbicide into the wounds.
Asparagus Fern (Asparagus scandens)
Creeper with strong twining stems to 0.5m high, native of South Africa. Can form large, scattered colonies in rocky, moist areas.
Spread vegetatively by tuberous roots and by animals which eat the fruits.
Remove by digging up individual plants or spraying the plants with an appropriate herbicide.
Banana Passionfruit (Passiflora tarminiana)
Long-lived South American climber reaching lengths of 10m or more. Have characteristic trilobial leaves and large pink flowers. Flowering can occur throughout the year.
Can form very large suffocating patches of entangled stems and leaves. Produces fruits attractive to animals, which help its spread. Seeds remain viable for some time.
Remove by digging up individual plants (difficult), severing individual stems and spraying undiluted herbicide into the wounds, or spraying the entire patch with a broadscale herbicide.
Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus)
Multi-stemmed European shrub to 2m high. Can form large patches or colonise large areas quickly. Flowers in December, followed by edible black berries. Dispersal of seeds by fruit-eating animals. Long canes (stems) can produce daughter plants at their tips. Also vegetative reproduction from root suckers.
Remove by digging (smaller individuals), cutting stems and spraying a herbicide into the wounds, or spraying large patches with an appropriate herbicide.
Blackberry Nightshade (Solanum nigrum)
This small annual or short-lived perennial shrub belongs to a group of plants called black nightshades. Leaves are 3-8cm long and 2-5cm wide, with wavy margins which are sometimes absent. White flowers lead to black berries. Each berry contains numerous seeds.
Widely occuring in Australia, this species can be found in the national park beside tracks.
Remove by digging up individual plants or spraying with a herbicide.
Blue Periwinkle (Vinca major)
Mediterranean creeper can spread over a large area if unchecked. Vegetative propagation from rooting at stem nodes. Seeds rarely viable.
Probably entered the park through illegally dumped rubbish and old house sites.
Remove by hand-pulling or spraying plants with an appropriate herbicide before flowering.
Boneseed (Chrysanthemoides monilifera)
Erect shrub to 3m high, originally from South Africa. Can form colonies covering large areas. A few individual plants are encountered every year.
Dispersal by animals eating the berries. Some seeds may remain viable in the soil for at least 10 years.
Easily removed by hand-pulling because of shallow root system. For very large plants, consider cutting the stems and spraying a herbicide into the wound.
Cape Broom (Genista monspessulana)
Erect or open shrub to 3m high, Mediterranean origins. Can form large colonies spread over a large area.
Dispersal by seeds, which are long-lived in the soil.
Remove by hand-pulling small plants, or cutting the stems of large plants and spraying a herbicide into the wounds. Removal is best accomplished before the flowers seed.
Centaury (Centaurium species)
An introduced herb (various species) from Europe or Asia. Grows to 50cm high, with dark pink flowers appearing in December. Seeds spread by wind and animals.
Can be found in the bush away from tracks, but generally not a troublesome species.
Remove by pulling or digging up the whole plant before seeding occurs.
Cootamundra Wattle (Acacia baileyana)
Large tree to 10m high, native of NSW. Most likely a leftover from previous house gardens, not very common on Chandlers Hill now.
Kill small trees by cutting the trunk and poisoning the wound with a herbicide. For very large trees, consider drilling 2cm deep holes (using a 10mm drill bit) spaced about 10cm apart all around the trunk and putting a herbicide down these holes.
Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster species)
Various species ranging from low shrubs to medium sized tree up to 10m high; native to China. Still fairly common in many places around Chandlers Hill.
Dispersal by animal-carried seeds, mainly by birds which eat the fruits. This tree is long-lived.
Remove by hand-pulling small individuals, or cutting the stems and spraying a herbicide into the wounds of larger trees.
English Broom (Cytisus scoparius)
An European shrub with yellow or yellow-red flowers to 3m high. Can form colonies covering a large area. Dispersal by seeds fired from explosive pods. Germination encouraged by fire. Seeds long-lived in soil.
This weed is still common in certain areas of Chandlers Hill.
Remove by hand-pulling small plants, or cutting the stem and spraying a herbicide into the wound.
English Ivy (Hedera helix)
This European climber is a real pest species in this area. Forms thick carpets which prevent regeneration of native plants. Tree branches may collapse under its weight. Dispersal by vegetatively reproducing stems and birds eating the fruits. Seeds are short-lived and do not persist.
Very invasive and difficult to eradicate completely because of continuous renewal from seeds or undetected shoots.
Removal by hand-pulling or spraying with an appropriate herbicide. Sometimes cutting a thick stem and spraying a herbicide into the wound would also kill the plant.
Flax-leaf Broom (Genista linifolia)
A Mediterranean shrub to 2m high. Forms colonies. Dispersal by poisonous seeds.
Rarely seen now in the national park.
Remove by hand-pulling or cut the stem and spraying a herbicide into the wound.
Freesia (Freesia alba x Freesia leichtlinii)
Small clumping herb from South Africa, growing to 20cm high. Forms colonies which can cover a wide area. Spread by multiplying bulbs and seeds.
Remove by digging up the bulbs or spraying entire plants with an appropriate herbicide. Best done before flowering or during the budding stage.
Gorse (Ulex europaeus)
A woody, prickly European shrub growing to 2.5m high. Grows on hillsides in dry areas. Seed pods are dark brown or black, egg-shaped and covered with hairs.
Dispersal of seeds from explosive seed pods.
Increasingly rare on Chandlers Hill.
Remove by digging up the plant or cutting the stem and spraying a herbicide into the wound.
Gosford Wattle (Acacia prominens)
A native of NSW, this short-lived tree can grow to 15m tall. It produces large amounts of bright yellow flowers in late winter and early spring.
Each phyllode have a prominent gland about 1/3 of the way up the top margin, and there is a curved spine (mucro) at the tip.
Considered a weed in Victoria.
Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
Prickly erect shrub to 4m high; native of southern and western Europe. Can form large colonies. Dispersal mainly by suckering and also by animal-dispersed seeds.
Common in moist, sheltered and cool areas.
Remove by digging up plant, being careful to remove all shoots. For large trees, cut the stem and spray a herbicide into the wound.
Hop Clover (Trifolium campestre)
An annual herb with prostrate or erect habit, originally from Europe, the Middle East and north Africa. Leaves are trifolate with finely toothed margins. Yellow flowers set close together in a globular cluster 7-10mm wide.
Widespread in pastures, cultivated and waste areas.
Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)
Creeping and climbing plant from East Asia. Can form large colonies covering a huge area. Spread by vegetative reproduction at stem nodes. Can also be spread by seeds.
Remove by digging up entire plants, or spraying plants with an appropriate herbicide.
Karamu (Coprosma robusta)
Small shrub or tree from New Zealand. Becoming rare in Chandlers Hill area. Dispersed by fruit-eating animals. Prefers wetter, more sheltered areas.
Remove by hand-pulling small plants or cut the stem and poison with herbicide.
Loquat (Eriobotrya species)
A medium sized tree, native to SE China. Probably an escapee from gardens. Spread by fruits and seeds.
Very rarely seen now in the more sheltered areas of Chandlers Hill.
Removal by cutting the stem and spraying the wound with an undiluted herbicide.
New Zealand Mirror-bush (Coprosma repens)
Medium sized tree to 6m high, native of New Zealand. Dense growth with shiny, roundish bright green leaves. Spread by fruit-eating animals.
Prefers sheltered, moist areas.
As with trees, cut down the trunk near the ground and poison the wound with a herbicide to kill the plant entirely.
Onion Grass (Romulea rosea var. australis)
Pretty perennial herb from South Africa. Produces 1-3 long, narrow tubular leaves which disappear in summer.
Not very invasive in the national park, usually found on the side of tracks or disturbed ground.
Reproduces by bulbs and seeds. Can multiply rapidly in the home garden - be warned.
Can be removed by digging up the bulb.
Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana)
South American tufting grass to 3.5m high. Does not seem to disperse well and are now rare on Chandlers Hill. Seeds spread by wind.
Remove by digging up the whole clump, preferably before flowering or fruit formation.
Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis)
Common European weed of disturbed bushland. Can be seen alongside walking tracks. Orange flowers appear in spring.
The uncommon blue-coloured form can also be seen sometimes.
Seed dispersal by vehicles, illegal rubbish dumping or walkers.
Can remove plants by hand-pulling them.
Privet (Lingustrum species)
An introduced bushy shrub from Europe, growing to 5m tall. Probably entered the national park as an escapee from abandoned house sites. Spread by birds eating the berries and excreting the seeds.
Common along roadsides, becoming less common now inside the national park.
Remove small plants by hand-pulling. For larger plants, cut off the stems near the ground and spray undiluted herbicide into the wound.
Quaking Grass (Briza maxima)
An introduced Mediterranean grass that produces plump flowers on thin arching stalks. Flowers pale green maturing to straw-coloured.
Very common all over the drier areas of Chandlers Hill.
Lesser Quaking-grass (Briza minor)
An introduced annual Mediterranean grass that survives for only one season. It has a very open flowering panicle. The spikelets are held on very fine stalks, making them appear to float in the air above the leaves.
This grass grows to about 20cm in height. Can sometimes be found growing with the Briza major species.
Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea)
Biennial or short-lived perennial originally from Europe. Grows to 80cm tall.
Leaves are irregularly divided and deeply lobed, with the lower leaves withering during flowering. Clusters of bright yellow daisy flowers appear in summer. Flowers up to 2.5cm in diameter.
Seed dispersal by animals or water; dispersal by wind only for short distances,
Can be removed by hand-pulling, preferably before seeding.
Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris)
This is a native of Europe. Common alongside tracks and disturbed areas. Not yet a serious problem.
Can be removed by hand-pulling.
Spanish Heath (Erica lusitanica)
Native to SW Europe. Can be confused with the local native heath; this weed has finer, softer leaves compared to the native species.
Dispersal by wind- or water-carried seeds and sometimes root-suckering. Seeds remain viable for at least 4 years in the soil.
Remove by hand-pulling. For stubborn plants, cut off stems and poison with a herbicide.
Spear Thistle (Cirsium vulgare)
A prickly erect plant to 1.2m tall, found in Europe, Asia and North Africa.
Seeds dispersed by wind, water and mechanical disturbance. Can colonise large areas very quickly
A recurring problem on Chandleers Hill.
Remove by digging up whole plant. Slashing and poisoning with a herbicide is also an option. Aim to kill all individuals in an area before seeding occurs, with follow-up culls next season.
Striped Rush-leaf (Sisyrinchium iridifolium)
A common weed along tracks and in grassland. Native to Central and South America.
The white to cream flowers with purple centres appear from October to December.
Not very invasive.
Can be removed by hand-pulling individual plants.
Sweet Pittosporum (Pittosporum undulatum)
A native of Gippsland, this medium to tall tree produces lots of fragrant white flowers in spring. Fast-growing and very invasive. Fruits are orange berries loved by birds, which help spread the seeds.
A never-ending battle to remove this environmental weed because of seed dispersal from surrounding suburbs.
Hand-pull small plants. Cut down small trees and spray poison into the wound. For large trees, drill 2-cm deep holes using a 10mm drill bit at regular spacings around the trunk and spray poison into the holes.
Sweet Vernal Grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum)
An introduced grass from Europe and temperate Asia.
Flowerheads start out green (left) and later turned copper-brown or "cured".
Widespread all over Chandlers Hill and surrounding areas.
Sydney Golden Wattle (Acacia longifolia ssp. longifolia)
A spreading shrub or tree growing to 8m, found in NSW and eastern Victoria. Dark green phyllodes are 5-25cm long, and generally more than 6 times longer than they are wide.
Sessile clusters of yellow flowers sprout from the axils of the phyllodes. Flowers appear from June to October.
Plants can be killed by drilling and poisoning with concentrated herbicide.
Taiwan Lily (Lilium formosanum)
An erect shrub to 1.5m high with single flower. Can form extensive colonies scattered over a large area. Dispersal by seeds and underground bulb multiplication.
Removal best done before flowering. The best way to kill this plant is by "lopping" off the top of the stem and poisoning the wound with a herbicide.
Tiny Vetch (Vicia hirsuta)
Prostrate, spreading perennial herb from Europe. Dispersal by seeds thrown from explosive seed pods — one of the delights (NOT) of walking in the National Park in summer is hearing all the loud "pops" from opening seed pods.
Probably entered the national park from walkers or illegal rubbish dumping or old house sites. Does not appear to spread beyond areas where it is established.
Remove by hand-pulling or spraying with a herbicide.
Tree Lucerne (Cytisus palmensis)
Small tree to 7m high, native of the Canary Islands. Dispersal by seeds.
May have entered the national park through abandoned gardens or illegally dumped rubbish.
Kill trees by cutting through the trunk and spraying a herbicide into the open cut.
Wandering Trad (Tradescantia albiflora)
Synonyms: Tradescantia fluminernsis
A layering plant that can cover large areas, suppressing other ground covers and small plants. Found in damp, shady areas. Produces white flowers in summer.
Very difficult to remove because the succulent stems break easily, and each leaf node can root and regrow. Stems can survive for long periods out of the ground.
Can be hand removed by carefully digging up all roots and buried stems. Follow-up removal of remnants is almost always required. Application of a suitable herbicide can also control this weed.
Watsonia (Watsonia species)
Another escapee from suburban gardens, native to South Africa. Spreads easily by water-borne aerial cormils and multiplying underground bulbs. Can colonise large areas if unchecked.
Remove bulbs by digging them out and leaving them to dessicate. Or bag the bulbs and remove from site. Can also kill the plants by slashing and spraying a herbicide into the wounds.
West Australian Bluebell Creeper (Sollya heterophylla)
An exotic creeper that tends to form a tangled clump in open country. Can colonise large areas of grassland.
Dispersal by seeds and root segments.
Remove most by hand-pulling since it has shallow roots.
Willow-leaf Hakea (Hakea salicifolia ssp. salicifolia)
This is a bushy shrub or small tree 5-7m high. Native to parts of SE Queensland and eastern New South Wales, but considered an environmental weed in Victoria.
Produces white grevillea-like flowers in the leaf axils in late winter to spring.
The hard, woody fruits usually only shed their winged seeds after a bushfire. This plant spreads very slowly if the environment remains undisturbed.
For trees, remove by cutting off the stem and poisoning the wound with undiluted weed-killer.
Woodland Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis sylvatica)
This small woodland plant from Europe has intense blue flowers with a yellow centre. Sometimes the flowers are pink. Flowering occurs throughout spring, followed by seed production.
This plant has become a real problem in the national park. It is very invasive because of its prolific seed production. Prefers shady and moist areas.
Small patches can be removed by pulling out individual plants, which are shallow-rooted. Large infestations may be sprayed with a herbicide if the preservation of native plants is not a concern.
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