The Wet Tropics Management Authority in a draft conservation strategy produced a ranking of weeds for the whole wet tropics area. This has been slightly amended to give ten levels of priority, with those in bold text included in our 16 top Kuranda weeds.

Number 1 (Most serious potential)

Brillantaisia - an African shrub, found at Speewah.

Hiptage - SE. Asian vine, one of the world’s worst weeds.

Koster’s Curse - tropical American shrub, found at Julatten.

Limnocharis - S. American water herb, found in Cairns.

Miconia - C. American tree, found at Kuranda.

Miconia racemosa - Ornamental shrub, Kuranda 2002.

Mikania Vine - C. American vine, found at Speewah.

Siam Weed - C. American vine/shrub, in world’s worst.

Venezuelan Pokeweed - Shrub first seen in NQ in 2002.

Number 2

Lantana - C. American garden shrub, established in FNQ.

Leucaena - C. American fodder crop, here since 1953.

Pond Apple - American wetland tree, here since 1962.

Number 3

African Tulip - W. African ornamental tree, established.

Shoe Button Ardisia - Indonesian shrub, first seen 2000.

Number 4

Thunbergia - Indian ornamental vine, established 1987.

Hvmenachne - C. American water grass, established.

Para Grass - American ponded pasture, undesirable.

Singapore Daisy - C. American garden herb, here 1987.

Water Hyacinth - C. American water herb, in waterways.

Number 5

Coffee - Ethiopian shrub, established on Tablelands.

Guava - C. American fruit tree, in rainforest edges.

Guinea Grass - African pasture grass, undesirable.

Harungana - African tree, established in WHA.

Molasses Grass - African pasture grass, widespread.

Turbina - C. American vine, rainforest edges.

Water Lettuce - Tropical herb, in waterways since 2000.

Number 6

Arrowhead - N. American water herb, since 1998.

Broad Leaved Pepper Tree - Brazilian tree, since 1998.

Elodia - Canadian aquatic herb, in waterways.

Gamba Grass - African grass, since 2000.

Number 7

Balloon Vine - Possibly an Australian vine, invasive.

Brazilian Nightshade - A highly invasive vine, since 1971.

Cabomba - N. American acquarium plant, in waterways.

Praxelis - S. American shrub.

Number 8

Alligator Weed - S. American water herb, in waterways.

Arrowhead Vine - S. American garden plant since 2000.

Salvinia - S. American aquarium plant, in waterways.

Panama Rubber - C. American tree, since 1991.

Camphor laurel - Asian tree, an emerging weed.

Cucumber Tree - Asian tree, since 1959.

Ivy Gourd - Asian and African Ornamental Vine.

Number 9

Ardisia - Asian ornamental shrub.

Bronze Leaved Clerodendrum - Philippine shrub.

Chandelier Bush - Philippine ornamental shrub.

Eared Pepper - C. American shrub, botanic gardens.

Mimosa - C. American shrub, type of sensitive weed.

Pagoda Plant - Asian shrub, potential garden weed.

Spiked Pepper - C. American ornamental, not vet here

Number 10

Clitoria - C. American herb/vine, in swamps.

East Indian Mahogany - Asian timber tree, established.

Giant Rat’s Tail - African grass, established in Mareeba.

Sickle Pod - C. American shrub, near watercourses.

Yellow Allamanda - S. American ornamental vine.

This is not a complete list of potential weeds for the wet tropics area, which would include hundreds more species. Indeed, we are often unable to know if a plant has the potential to become a weed until it is already too late. Some people think that the Neem tree, for example, recently introduced to produce natural insecticides, might well become a weed. Time will tell. Each of those working in this field would come up with slightly different lists.

Some of the plants on weed lists are still being sold from nurseries. Some, like coffee, are farmed in the area. Others are already so well established that there is little likelihood of their control through conventional means. But by becoming aware of weeds, we can all help reduce the weed problems that will face us in the future.

Many of the plants listed here have only been identified as weeds in the past few years. They may have been here for a long time, and only recently begun to spread, or perhaps have only been noticed recently. Community awareness helps prevent future weed problems. Do check with Mareeba Shire Councils weed control officer if you think you have located a new weed.