Weeds Calendar

A weed is a plant growing where it's not wanted. That doesn't mean it's bad, just bad here. Some weeds can be beautiful. In the suburbs, where most weeds have escaped from gardens into the bush or along waterways, they were once highly-prized...

Description Fast-growing semi-deciduous large tree with smooth bark and scalloped leaves. Native to China, Korea and Japan. Leaves have three main veins at the base. Photo: Mark Crocker Why it’s bad Creates monocultures where little else will grow....

Description A soft, fast-growing vine with heart-shaped leaves. Large numbers of tubers form along stems and from the roots, producing many more plants when they sprout. Photo: Mark Crocker Why it’s bad It can engulf native species, reducing light...

Description A smothering climber with heart-shaped leaves and pipe-shaped flowers native to Brazil and Argentina. Crushed leaves and cut stems give off an offensive "nail polish" smell. Why it’s bad It attracts the Richmond Birdwing butterfly, but kills the...

Description Easter Cassia is a native of South America. Around Easter it produces showy yellow flowers, then masses of seed in long pods. Photo: Mark Crocker Why it’s bad It “jumps the garden fence” and spreads throughout bushland, outcompeting local...

Description A giant grass resembling sugar cane introduced as fodder for cattle, quickly colonising creek edges when the farms became suburbs. Photo: Mark Crocker Why it’s bad Cane Grass forms dense thickets offering little of value to native fauna. It...

Description Large, fast-growing semi-woody shrub. Not a native of Japan or anywhere near it - in fact a native of Central America. Flower-heads resemble sunflowers. Photo: Mark Crocker Why it’s bad Invades disturbed, moist, nutrient-rich sites soon...

Description A member of the highly successful daisy family. Similar to Thickhead but with pink flowerheads. Photo: Mark Crocker Why it’s bad A common weed of gardens, footpaths, roadsides and disturbed areas. Widespread but fairly harmless. Control The...

Description Smothering climber with light green compound leaves, native to tropical Asia, Africa and America. Nine leaflets arranged in three groups of three. Photo: Mark Crocker Why it’s bad This vine's rampant growth blocks out light needed by native...

Description A straggly, prickly shrub commonly in dense thickets. Native to tropical South America. Multicoloured flowers, pleasant spicy aroma. Photo: Mark Crocker Why it’s bad Not as serious for urban creeks as it is for agriculture. Easy to control...

Medium to large tree native to Taiwan, Japan and China. Crushed leaves and cut branches have a distinct camphor smell. Green branchlets. For more information see Camphor Laurel in the Weeds to Whack section of this web site. Why it’s bad Camphor Laurel's...

Description Fast-growing smothering climber from tropical America and tropical Asia. Leaves heart-shaped to three lobed, flowers tubular, bright blue to blue-purple, fade to pink. For more information see Mile-a-minute in the Weeds to Whack section of this...

Description Small tree native to China and Japan. Leaves somewhat waxy-leathery, dark-green above, lighter below. Flowers Spring to Summer. Photo: Mark Crocker Why it’s bad The leaves and fruit are poisonous and if eaten can result in severe stomach...