Weed Spotter Queensland Network Newsletter Autumn 2012 edition

Heliconia warning
Fresh warnings have arisen about the potential spread
of common introduced plants found in the tropics,
Heliconia species. Several species are being grown in
local gardens. Heliconias are closely related to bananas
and originate from tropical, central and south America.
A few years ago a television program did a show about
Heliconias and a Heliconia farm in the Northern Territory.
The program reported that Heliconias had no seeds and
if you wanted to grow your own you had to buy plants.
Also, that Australia did not have pollinating agents, so
it was safe to grow Heliconias as they would not spread
into the environment.
Heliconia showing bright purple-blue fruit. Photo: S&A
Pearson.
New weed names
New names for cat’s claw creeper and thorny Acacias:
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At the time we were seeing Sunbirds visiting our three
different Heliconias species (H. collinsiana, H. humilis,
H. psittacorum) and this was followed by fruiting of each
species. Later, we saw Black Butcher Birds visiting the
ripe fruit and eating them. Now we are finding small
Heliconia plants coming up in the rainforest around
our home. Residents of the north where Sunbirds and
Black Butcher Birds are present should be vigilant for
seedlings coming up in their area.
Anyone who suspects the presence of an emerging
Heliconia seedling problem should contact their local
weeds officer for further information.
Steve and Alison Pearson
Sunbird on Heliconia flower. Photo: S&A Pearson.
Cat’s claw creeper, Macfadyena unguis-cati has had a name change and is now called Dolichandra unguis-cati (L.)L.
Lohmann.
This is based on molecular data (see Lohmann (2006, 2009) American Journal of Botany). This name change has now
been generally accepted by Australian and overseas herbaria (Gordon Guymer pers. comm.19-12-2011).
Acacia name changes:
Following the International Botanical Congress in 2011, it has now been agreed that the thorny Acacias belong to
a separate genus Vachellia. The new names for the thorny acacias known to occur in Queensland are given below.
Please be aware that there are also some native Vachellia species, so get a confirmed identification before controlling
the introduced Vachellia species.
Ailsa Holland, Queensland Herbarium.
Old name New name Status
Acacia bidwillii Vachellia bidwillii native
Acacia clarksoniana Vachellia clarksoniana native
Acacia ditricha Vachellia ditricha native
*Acacia farnesiana *Vachellia farnesiana naturalised
*Acacia karroo *Vachellia karroo doubtfully naturalised
*Acacia nilotica *Vachellia nilotica naturalised
Acacia sutherlandii Vachellia sutherlandii native
*non-native