Brush wattle
| Botanical Name | Paraserianthes lophantha |
|---|---|
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Origin | Western Australia |
Identification
Evergreen shrub to small tree, twigs ribbed, densely hairy. Leaves frond-like (2-pinnate), alternate. Pinnules in 20-40-(45) pairs, fairly close set, oblong, acute, asymmetric with one prominent vein closer to upper margin of edge of leaf. Flower parts in 5's, greenish yellow, numerous, May-Aug. Pod smooth surfaced, straight, 80-150 mm long. Brush wattle is not a `wattle' (Racosperma spp.) but is of the same family. Brush wattle is distinguished from the true wattles with pinnate leaves by the large robust flowers which are simple greenish-yellow racemes (spikes). In addition the leaf of brush wattle has a solitary large gland on the leaf stalk below the pinnules and young growth usually has a dense covering of bronze hairs.Habitats
Waste places, shrubland, riverbanks and coastal sites. Locally abundant.Impact to Biota and Ecosystems
An aggressive weed which invades shrubland, riverbanks and coastal sites, often forming dense stands and displacing native trees.Dispersal Routes, Vectors, Infestation Sources
Seeds freely into shrubland.Management
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Management |
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| Physical Control |
Hand pull seedlings. Ring bark or fell larger trees. |
| Disposal | |
| Chemical Control |
Ringbark or fell larger trees and paint with herbicide. Spray with Roundup at 100 ml in 10 litres of water with 20 ml Pulse. --> |
|
Biological Control |
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| Recommended Approach |
Pull seedlings and ringbark larger trees. Felling trees may open up new space for wattle seedling growth so ringbarking may be more suitable. |