Weed Alert! Caltrop

At a recent meeting resident Margaret Park informed residents and ratepayers to be on the lookout for a very invasive weed called Tribulus terrestris (also commonly known as caltrop, cat-head, puncture vine).

It looks a bit like "double double gee". Margaret showed us a relatively small one she had collected on a vacant block in Wembley. It was huge! If you spot it contact John Bell at the Town of Cambridge on 9285 3129.

"This (pest) plant is a prostrate annual with (rows of opposing) leaves, yellow flowers less than 1cm across and very spiny fruits. This plant is a cosmopolitan weed, and forms of it may be native to Western Australia or introduced prior to European settlement. It is widespread in the Kimberley and arid zone, and is spreading along roadsides in the south-west. " (Western Weeds)

Picture coutesy of the Weed Society of Western Australia. More information at: http://members.iinet.net.au/~weeds/western_weeds/urt_val_ver_vio_zygo.htm

Disposal

The Department of Agriculture advises that residents should dispose of Caltrop plants and seeds by bagging it and including it in their normal rubbish collection (in this way it will be deep buried and unable to survive).

Green waste is mulched and spread which also spreads weed seeds, so this is definitely a no-no. More information and a diagram on the Department's website at: http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/pls/portal30/docs/FOLDER/IKMP/PW/WEED/WC/FN042_2003.PDF