Kosciuszko visitors be aware of new and serious weed

Media release: 12 February 2015

A serious agricultural threat called Mouse Ear-hawkweed was recently discovered in Kosciuszko National Park, prompting a major seek-and-destroy mission by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and others.

NPWS Ranger for the Summit Tim Greville said this Class 1 Noxious Weed probably entered the park on camping equipment.

“This infestation was discovered near a popular camping area on the Main Range,” Mr Greville said.

“Visitors to Kosciuszko can help limit weed dispersal by brushing down all equipment to remove dirt and plant matter before entering a national park or moving on within a park.

“It was an experienced bushwalker with an interest in botany who noticed an unfamiliar plant species during one of his walks. He sent photos to the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage where staff identified it as Mouse Ear-hawkweed.

“Within days of learning of this infestation, we had mapped, treated and quarantined the location – that’s how serious this weed is.”

Mouse Ear-hawkweed flowers similarly to a common dandelion, but it has a rich red stripe on each outer petal and smooth-edged, hairy leaves which form a rosette. It also produces stolons, which are above-ground shoots similar to those seen on strawberry plants.

NPWS asks visitors to report suspected Mouse-ear Hawkweed infestations by photographing the plants, recording the location including GPS coordinates if possible, and contacting them locally or on 1300 361 967.

Lager scale surveys will begin in remote areas next week, with representatives from the NSW Department of Primary Industry, the ACT Parks and Conservation Service, and Greening Australia among the 30 staff and volunteers assisting NPWS.

Mouse Ear-hawkweed forms dense mats of vegetation and significantly reduces the carrying capacity of pastoral lands. This infestation could be even more devastating to agriculture than Orange Hawkweed, should it spread beyond the park.

Falls Creek, Victoria, has the only other recorded population of Mouse Ear-hawkweed in Australia. It is native to Europe and Asia, and poses a major threat to agriculture in parts of New Zealand, Canada and the United States.

Photos for news media:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nswnationalparks/sets/72157650306788720/

Read more:
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/pestsweeds/MouseEarHawkweed.htm

Contact: Lucy Morrell