Hobart City Council is raising awareness of a flowering European invader, orange hawkweed, as it aims for its eradication from the slopes of kunanyi / Mount Wellington.
The plant is a menace in elevated Aussie locations where it runs rampant at the expense of native vegetation.
Fern Tree local Maureen Williamson recommends contacting Hobart City Council if its found, but has her own method of destruction.
“They have got a very fibrous root and if you leave anything behind they regenerate without any trouble, so if I find them I dig out as much as I can and I put them into a bucket of salted water for at least two weeks and that finishes them off.”
Rather perversely, the plant is protected in parts of Europe.
“Don’t let looks deceive you, this is a nasty visitor and one we don’t want on our iconic mountain,” Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said.
“If you are a runner, walker, mountain bike rider or day tripper to kunanyi/Mt Wellington please keep an eye out for orange hawkweed over summer and report any possible sightings, especially around the Springs visitor area.”
You can report sightings to Hobart City Council on 03 6238 2711 during office hours.
Fern Tree’s Maureen Williamson is finding this year the orange hawkweed is less conspicuous.
