Queensland Silver Wattle

About this weed

The Queensland Silver Wattle was introduced for garden use but is now a serious threat in urban bushland. It is one of the earlier flowing wattles in bushland and originated from eastern Australia.

Description

It grows as a spreading tree, to 7 m high with glaucous, densely hairy phyllodes and flat, wide pods. It has smooth gray bark and the young branches are white. In late autumn through winter it produced masses of yellow flowers. Seed is the main way it reproduces but it is dispersed by various methods including: water, birds, ants, soil movement and garden refuse. The wattle does not resprout or produce root suckers but the seedbank persists for 5+ years. Fire stimulates mass germination of soil stored seed and kills adult plants.

Impact on Bushland

This wattle may disrupt ecological processes and may dominate and/or significantly alters vegetation structure, composition and function of ecosystems.

Location

This wattle is scattered across the South-West Province on grey sand and lateritic loam. It is now found in bushland and roadsides.

Priority for removal

Unknown: but it can disrupt ecological processes or result in loss of biodiversity.

Management (hand)

Hand pull seedlings and fell mature plants. Optimum months for manual management are January to September.

Management (herbicide)

Read the manufacturers’ labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. Optimum treatment for herbicide treatment are January to September.

Flowering month/s

May, June, July, August

Flower colour/s

Yellow

Information source

https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/17860

Additional information

https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/weeds/swanweeds/

Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. and Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia, Second Edition, The Weeds Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park, Western Australia.

Queensland Silver Wattle images