Alien Invader Plants
Izihlahla Zokufika Ezhlaselayo
Uitheemse Probleem Plante

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CONTROL:
Manual: Strip bark from 1m above ground to below soil level.  Remove all pieces of bark.  Hand-pull seedlings.  Press down disturbed soil.
Chemical: Basal Stem or Total Stump: use Garlon® 4 200mls or Tordon® Super 100ml/10l diesel.  Cut Stump: Use Tordon® 101 200ml/10l water.  Foliar Spray: use Garlon® 4 75ml or Roundup®, etc 150mls or Muster® 150ml/10l water.

DESCRIPTION: A tree which appears silver grey at a distance; compound, feather-like grey-green leaves with a dense covering of small grey hairs; 14 - 27 leaflets with a single gland at the junction of each pair of leaflets.  Greyish or purplish-brown pods not or only slightly constricted.  Pale to bright yellow "balls" in large fragrant sprays.  Flowering time: July and August.

ORIGIN: Originates from Australia where it is also considered a weed.  Probably introduced to South Africa in error, being confused with the commercially important black wattle.

WHERE FOUND/PROBLEMS CAUSED: Mountain and moist upland regions of KZN in ribbon-like infestations along streams.  Competes with and replaces indigenous vegetation; increases water loss to the atmosphere; destabilizes stream banks resulting in soil erosion during floods or heavy rains.

DID YOU KNOW: The seeds can germinate even after 50 years.  Up to 20 000 seeds per square meter have been recorded under a single parent tree.  Burning causes rapid germination and the resultant "carpet" of seedlings, if left, will form an impenetrable thicket.  Silver wattle coppices vigorously and produces root suckers, so a careful combination of chemical, mechanical and management techniques is usually needed for effective control.

This page was last edited on 22 April, 2006