Weeds attack!

Origin

All of the weeds in the WoNS list come from overseas.

Where do they come from?

In Australia most of our weeds come from areas that have a similar environment to Australia. This includes South Africa, North and South America, Asia and New Zealand.

Salvinia: a weed of national significance, originally from South America

Question

These plants are not usually weeds in their own countries. Can you think why?

	They can’t spread any further.
	In their own country there are natural pests and diseases.
	The climate isn’t right.
	People like them in their own country.

Answer

Weeds on the run

Most of the weeds in Australia have been deliberately introduced. Two thirds of the weeds in Australia are escapees from gardens. The weeds of the future are being grown in gardens at this very moment. These are called sleeper weeds and there are thousands waiting to jump the back fence and escape into the bush. Some sleeper weeds have already made it out of the garden and are waiting for the right opportunity to attack.

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Training, 2008

| Copyright | Print |   Page 3 of 7  <  BACK | NEXT  >