The battle against invasive species rages on, and now farmers, environmentalists, and researchers are joining forces to call for a national ban on the sale of the colorful and popular gazania plant. This plant, native to South Africa, has become an environmental weed in Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, and New South Wales, and its spread is causing significant damage to agriculture and the environment.
Gazanias have invaded roadsides, native grasslands, and coastlines, but their impact on productive farmland is particularly devastating. In South Australia, gazanias have taken over paddocks, making them unviable for farming and causing substantial economic losses. Loxton farmer Robin Schaefer, for instance, has seen his land transformed, with gazanias taking over the space where he would typically grow lentils and legumes.
The plant's ability to spread is alarming. Each flower head releases around 60 seeds, which are wind-borne and can travel long distances. This, combined with the plant's tolerance to various chemical herbicides, makes gazanias a formidable challenge to manage. A recent study revealed that gazanias are more resilient than previously thought, further complicating their control.
The economic impact of weeds and invasive species, including gazanias, is staggering. They are estimated to cost Australia's agriculture sector over $5 billion annually. The sale of gazanias, which were imported as low-maintenance garden plants in the 1950s and 1970s, has raised concerns. Despite South Australia's ban, they can still be found in nurseries outside the state, and their sale continues.
The Invasive Species Council's Imogen Ebsworth urges the federal government to take action. She warns that gazanias could become the next lantana or blackberry, which were once sold as garden plants but are now among Australia's worst invasive weeds. With over 30,000 introduced plant species in Australia, many of which have never been assessed for their weed risk, the need for regulation is clear.
However, the nursery sector's national peak body, Greenlife Industry Australia, argues that gazanias can still be legally grown and sold in most parts of Australia. They suggest that future restrictions are under consideration, but for now, the sale of gazanias remains legal.
So, what can gardeners do instead? Imogen Ebsworth recommends planting native species, such as everlasting daisies (Xerochrysum bracteatum), also known as paper daisies. These plants are adapted to harsh conditions and provide a safe and environmentally friendly alternative to gazanias, supporting local biodiversity.
