Weeds of National Significance (WoNS)
Under the Australian Weeds Strategy, 32 WoNS have been identified by Australian governments based on their:
- invasiveness
- potential for spread
- environmental, social and economic impacts.
A list of 20 WoNS was endorsed in 1999 and a further 12 were added in 2012.
Note that some of the 32 WoNS are grouped together together as one (e.g. Asparagus weeds, Brooms, Opuntioid cacti, and Bitou bush/Boneseed).
Most WoNS have species-specific management manuals and guides. Click through for these resources on the weed profile where you will also find distribution maps, image gallery and references and related links.
-
African Boxthorn, Boxthorn
Lycium ferocissimum
-
Alligator Weed
Alternanthera philoxeroides
-
Asparagus Fern, Ground Asparagus, Basket Fern, Sprengi’s Fern, Bushy Asparagus, Emerald Asparagus
Asparagus aethiopicus
-
Athel Pine, Athel Tree, Tamarisk, Athel Tamarisk, Athel Tamarix, Desert Tamarisk, Flowering Cypress, Salt Cedar
Tamarix aphylla
-
Bitou Bush
Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. rotundata
-
Blackberry, European Blackberry
Rubus fruticosus aggregate
-
Boneseed
Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. monilifera
-
Bridal Creeper, Bridal Veil Creeper, Smilax, Florist’s Smilax, Smilax Asparagus
Asparagus asparagoides
-
Bridal Veil, Bridal Veil Creeper, Pale Berry Asparagus Fern, Asparagus Fern, South African Creeper
Asparagus declinatus
-
Broom, English Broom, Scotch Broom, Common Broom, Scottish Broom, Spanish Broom
Cytisus scoparius
-
Cabomba, Fanwort, Carolina Watershield, Fish Grass, Washington Grass, Watershield, Carolina Fanwort, Common Cabomba
Cabomba caroliniana
-
Cat’s Claw Vine, Yellow Trumpet Vine, Cat’s Claw Creeper, Funnel Creeper
Dolichandra unguis-cati
-
Chilean Needle Grass
Nassella neesiana
-
Cotton-leaved Physic-Nut, Bellyache Bush, Cotton-leaf Physic Nut, Cotton-leaf Jatropha, Black Physic Nut
Jatropha gossypifolia
-
Delta Arrowhead, Arrowhead, Slender Arrowhead
Sagittaria platyphylla
-
Fireweed, Madagascar Ragwort, Madagascar Groundsel
Senecio madagascariensis
-
Flax-leaved Broom, Mediterranean Broom, Flax Broom
Genista linifolia
-
Gamba Grass
Andropogon gayanus
-
Gorse, Furze
Ulex europaeus
-
Hymenachne, Olive Hymenachne, Water Stargrass, West Indian Grass, West Indian Marsh Grass
Hymenachne amplexicaulis
-
Lantana, Common Lantana, Kamara Lantana, Large-leaf Lantana, Pink Flowered Lantana, Red Flowered Lantana, Red-Flowered Sage, White Sage, Wild Sage
Lantana camara
-
Madeira Vine, Jalap, Lamb’s-tail, Mignonette Vine, Anredera, Gulf Madeiravine, Heartleaf Madeiravine, Potato Vine
Anredera cordifolia
-
Mesquite, Algaroba
Prosopis
-
Mimosa, Giant Mimosa, Giant Sensitive Plant, Thorny Sensitive Plant, Black Mimosa, Catclaw Mimosa, Bashful Plant
Mimosa pigra
-
Montpellier Broom, Cape Broom, Canary Broom, Common Broom, French Broom, Soft Broom
Genista monspessulana
-
Parkinsonia, Jerusalem Thorn, Jelly Bean Tree, Horse Bean
Parkinsonia aculeata
-
Parthenium Weed, Bitter Weed, Carrot Grass, False Ragweed
Parthenium hysterophorus
-
Pond Apple, Pond-apple Tree, Alligator Apple, Bullock’s Heart, Cherimoya, Monkey Apple, Bobwood, Corkwood
Annona glabra
-
Prickly Acacia, Blackthorn, Prickly Mimosa, Black Piquant, Babul
Vachellia nilotica
-
Prickly Pears
Opuntia spp.
-
Rubber Vine, Rubbervine, India Rubber Vine , India Rubbervine, Palay Rubbervine, Purple Allamanda
Cryptostegia grandiflora
-
Salvinia, Giant Salvinia, Aquarium Watermoss, Kariba Weed
Salvinia molesta
-
Serrated Tussock, Yass River Tussock, Yass Tussock, Nassella Tussock (NZ)
Nassella trichotoma
-
Silver Nightshade, Silver-leaved Nightshade, White Horse Nettle, Silver-leaf Nightshade, Tomato Weed, White Nightshade, Bull-nettle, Prairie-berry, Satansbos, Silver-leaf Bitter-apple, Silverleaf-nettle, Trompillo
Solanum elaeagnifolium
-
Water Hyacinth, Water Orchid, Nile Lily
Eichhornia crassipes
-
Willows except Weeping Willow, Pussy Willow and Sterile Pussy Willow
Salix