Weed Guide

Identify common weeds of South Gippsland, see how to control them, and find a local native plant to grow instead.

This guide is based on SGLN’s pocket guide Common weeds of South Gippsland (2026). Thanks to South Gippsland Shire Weeds Education Officer Amanda Christie for compiling and checking the information in the booklet.

Landowners have the responsibility to take all reasonable steps to prevent the growth and spread of regionally controlled and regionally prohibited weeds. Visit Agriculture Victoria for more information, and make a farm biosecurity plan to reduce the risk of new weeds coming onto your property.

Types of weeds

ENV, AG, WONS and the declared categories

ENVEnvironmental weed: Plants that threaten the values of natural ecosystems, can invade native plant communities and outcompete them, resulting in a loss of biodiversity.
AGAgricultural weed: Plants that threaten sustainable productivity.
WONSWeed of National Significance: Most problematic plant species in Australia as determined by the federal government, based on potential to cause environmental and economic harm.
SPState prohibited: Declared noxious weed (Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994). To be eradicated if possible from within Victoria or excluded from the State, e.g. water hyacinth.
RPRegionally prohibited: Declared noxious weed (CaLP Act). Not widely distributed, but capable of spreading further; it is reasonable to expect they can be eradicated from a region. Landowners must take all reasonable steps to prevent their growth and spread.
CRegionally controlled: Declared noxious weed (CaLP Act). Widespread and established in the region, e.g. blackberries and ragwort. Landowners must take all reasonable steps to prevent their growth and spread.
RRestricted weed: Declared noxious weed (CaLP Act). A threat to primary production, the environment or community health in other states of Australia, with an unacceptable risk of spreading within Victoria.
FisheriesNoxious aquatic species: Declared a noxious aquatic species under fisheries legislation, as listed in the booklet (“Fisheries Noxious Aquatic”).

Control methods

What each icon means

Non-chemical

Hand pull / dig out

Very effective in small areas or with isolated plants. Some plants will regenerate unless all root material is removed.

Slashing / mowing

May be used to delay seed production until a more permanent means of control can be undertaken. Care must be taken as weeds can easily be spread.

Mechanical

Suitable for initial removal of large infestations of woody weeds. Often followed by other forms of control.

Solarisation / mulching / smothering

Covering weeds for an extended period of time with a material they will struggle to penetrate.

Revegetation

Plant competition is an important means of weed control. Any weed control program should include revegetation with suitable, local native plants or in a pasture situation increased competition through good grazing management and addressing soil fertility.

Burning

Commonly known as flame weeding. Fire is most effective on small annual weeds. Fire rarely works as a stand-alone technique; follow-up control will most likely be needed.

Chemical

Cut & paint

Suitable for woody weeds. The plant is cut off close to the ground and undiluted herbicide applied immediately to the cut surface. A staggered pruning technique may be used for larger trees with herbicide applied at the last cut.

Drill & frill

An angled hole can be drilled into the sapwood just below the bark and undiluted herbicide applied immediately. Alternately, chips or frills are made into the trunk of a woody weed with an axe or tomahawk with herbicide applied immediately.

Foliar spray / weed wipe

An appropriate herbicide is applied as fine droplets to the surface of foliage using a knapsack or spray unit.

Herbicides must be applied at the appropriate rate as specified on the label and all safety precautions followed. If chemical control is necessary near drainage lines or streams, use extreme caution as the effects on aquatic life can be devastating even in minute amounts. Always seek expert advice.

Herbs, succulents, bulbs & orchids

These weeds are often garden escapees. Remove them from your own garden and encourage neighbours to do the same. Most can be safely disposed of in your green waste bin.

Sour Sob

South African Weed Orchid

Disa bracteata ENV

Spurge – Caper

Euphorbia lathyris ENV

Spurge – Sea

Euphorbia paralias ENV

St Johns Wort

Hypericum perforatum C

Stinkwort

Dittrichia graveolens R

Thistle – Californian

Cirsium arvense C

Thistle – Nodding

Carduus nutans C

Thistle – Saffron

Carthamus lanatus C

Thistle – Slender / Shore

Carduus pycnocephalus, Carduus tenuiflorus C

Thistle – Spear

Cirsium vulgare C

Thistle – Variegated

Silybum marianum C

Watsonia

Watsonia spp. ENV

Wild Teasel

Grasses, sedges & rushes

These weeds are often found in pastures. Improving soil health and planting a more diverse or “multispecies” pasture can help outcompete some pasture weeds.

Barley Grass

Hordeum spp. ENV · AG

Kikuyu

Cenchrus clandestinus ENV

Pampas Grass

Cortaderia selloana ENV

Spartina

Sporobolus anglicus, Sporobolus x townsendii ENV · Fisheries

Spiny Rush

Juncus acutus C

Sweet Reed Grass

Glyceria maxima ENV · AG

Trees & shrubs

These woody weeds can take over shelterbelts and riparian areas. Goats can sometimes be used as an initial “knock back” method before following up with further control.

Apple of Sodom

Solanum linnaeanum C

Blackberry

Rubus fruticosus agg. WONS · C

Blue Butterfly Bush

Psoralea pinnata ENV

Boneseed / Bitou Bush

Osteospermum moniliferum WONS · C

Boxthorn

Lycium ferocissimum WONS · C

Broom – Cape/Montpelier

Genista monspessulana WONS · C

Broom – English

Cytisus scoparius WONS · C

Broom – Flax-leaf

Genista linifolia WONS · C

Cape Wattle

Paraserianthes lophantha ENV

Cestrum (Red and Green)

Cestrum spp. ENV · RP

Cootamundra Wattle

Acacia baileyana ENV

Cotoneaster

Cotoneaster spp. ENV

Gorse

Ulex europaeus C

Hawthorn

Crataegus monogyna C

Holly

Ilex aquifolium ENV

Mirror Bush

Coprosma repens ENV

Pine

Pinus radiata ENV

Polygala

Polygala myrtifolia ENV

Spanish Heath

Erica lusitanica ENV

Sweet Briar Rose

Rosa rubiginosa C

Sweet Pittosporum

Pittosporum undulatum ENV

Tree Tobacco

Solanum mauritianum ENV

Tutsan

Hypericum androsaemum C

Willow

Salix spp. WONS · R

Climbers & creepers

Can cover and choke large trees. Left unmanaged, can rapidly dominate areas of native vegetation in shelterbelts and on roadsides.

Other weeds

While not known to be found in South Gippsland, these weeds pose a significant threat to agriculture and biodiversity. Watch out for them and report to Agriculture Victoria if you think you find one.

Pest animals

Feral Deer, Fox, Rabbit. More pest animal information is on the Weeds & Pest Control page.

Weed Guide

Types of weeds

Control methods

Non-chemical

Chemical

Herbs, succulents, bulbs & orchids

Agapanthus

Angled onion

Arum Lily

Belladonna

Blackberry Nightshade

Cape Tulip (one leaf)

Cape Tulip (two leaf)

Capeweed

Dock – Broadleaf

Fennel

Fleabane

Gazania

Hemlock

Montbretia

Mullein – Great

Mullein – Twiggy

Oxeye Daisy

Paterson’s Curse

Ragwort

Red Inkweed