· Pennisetum macrourum · Alternanthera philoxeroides· Cobaea

· Pennisetum macrourum · Alternanthera philoxeroides· Cobaea scandens · Celastrus orbiculatus · Rhamnus
alaternus · Fallopia japonica · Fallopia sachalinensis · Zizania latifolia · Dipogon lignosus · Nassella trichotoma ·
Nassella tenuissima · Xanthium strumarium · Clematis vitalba · Gymnocoronis spilanthoides · Spartina · · Silybum
marianum · Bryonia cretica · Carex longebrachiata · Passiflora tripartita · Passiflora mixta · Chrysanthemoides
monilifera ssp. monilifera · Cytisus scoparius · Asparagus scanden · Berberis darwinii · Ulex europaeus · Ageratina
adenophora · Anredera cordifolia · Ageratina riparia · Araujia sericifera · Carduus nutans · Carduus acanthoides ·
Cortaderia jubata · Cortaderia selloana · Pinus contorta · Ligustrum species · Cyperus rotundus · Senecio jacobaea
· Prunus campanulata · Prunus serotina · Hypericum androsaemum · Hedychium flavescens · Hedychium
gardnerianum · Salix cinerea · Salix fragilis · Solanum mauritianum · Iris pseudacorus · Asparagus aethiopicus
· Schoenoplectus c alifornicus · Tropaeolum speciosum · Gunnera tinctoria · Gunnera manicata · Akebia quinata
· Vallisneria gigantea · Vallisneria spiralis · Nymphoides peltata · Hieracium pilosella · Solanum carolinense ·
Equisetum · Hydrilla verticillata · Pueraria montana · Nymphoides geminata · Nymphaea mexicana · Acmena
smithii · Lythrum salicaria · Glyceria maxima · Paspalum vaginatum · Rhododendron ponticum · Sagittaria ·
Hydrocleys nymphoides · Agapanthus praecox · Rubus fruiticosus · Ipomoea indica · Tradescantia fluminensis ·
Macropus eugenii · Felis catus · Cervus · Dama · Capra hircus · Sus scrofa · Erinaceus europaeus · Mustela furo · Mustela erminea · Mustela nivalis vulgaris · Trichosurus vulpecula · Oryctolagus cuniculus · Rattus rattus · Rattus
norvegicus · Gymnorhina tibicen · Trichoglossus haematodus · Corvus frugilegis · Ameiurus nebulosus · Cyprinus
carpio · Gambusia affinis · Carassius auratus · Perca fluviatilis · Tinca tinca · Scardinius erythrophthalmus · Polistes
humilis · Polistes chinensis · Vespula vulgaris · · Vespula germanica · Linepithema humile · Doleromyrma darwiniana
About this guide
Welcome to the Environment Waikato pest guide. This handy booklet is designed to be a quick
reference guide to the pests in the Waikato region. The Waikato Regional Pest Management Strategy
(RPMS) details which plants and animals are declared pests and why. It also explains your obligations
as a land occupier to manage pests, and the types of direct control that can be used on each pest.
This pest guide will help land occupiers to identify pests within the RPMS whilst out in the field,
garden or on the road. Each pest has specific information on the identifying characteristics, the
impact it has on the Waikato, and whose responsibility it is. It is important that the whole Waikato
community is aware of these pests so that together we can work at controlling them.
1
Contents
Key for plant types
Key for plant control
Pest plant categories
· Eradication pest plants ·
5 · Senegal tea · Gymnocoronis spilanthoides
· Spartina · Spartina species and hybrids
6 · Variegated thistle · Silybum marianum
7 · White bryony · Bryonia cretica
9 · Containment pest plants ·
(occupier control)
· African feather grass · Pennisetum
macrourum
10
· Alligator weed · Alternanthera philoxeroides 11
· Cathedral bells · Cobaea scandens
12
· Climbing spindleberry · Celastrus orbiculatus 13
· Evergreen buckthorn · Rhamnus alaternus 14
· Japanese knotweed · Fallopia japonica and
Giant knotweed · Fallopia sachalinensis
15
· Manchurian wild rice · Zizania latifolia
16
· Mile-a-minute · Dipogon lignosus
17
· Nassella tussock · Nassella trichotoma and fine
stemmed needle grass · N. tenuissima
18
· Noogoora bur · Xanthium strumarium
19
· Old man’s beard · Clematis vitalba
20
2
· Australian sedge · Carex longebrachiata
· Banana passionfruit · Passiflora tripartita
and P. mixta
· Boneseed · Chrysanthemoides monilifera
ssp. monilifera
· Broom · Cytisus scoparius
· Climbing asparagus · Asparagus scandens
· Darwin’s barberry · Berberis darwinii
· Gorse · Ulex europaeus
· Mexican devil · Ageratina adenophora
· Mignonette vine · Anredera cordifolia
· Mistflower · Ageratina riparia
· Moth plant · Araujia sericifera
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
· Nodding thistle · Carduus nutans and
plumeless thistle · Carduus acanthoides
· Pampas · Cortaderia jubata, C. selloana
and cultivars
· Pinus contorta · Pinus contorta
· Privet · Ligustrum species
· Purple nutsedge · Cyperus rotundus
· Ragwort · Senecio jacobaea
· Taiwan cherry · Prunus campanulata and
Rum cherry · P. serotina
· Tutsan · Hypericum androsaemum
· Yellow ginger · Hedychium flavescens · Kahili
ginger · Hedychium gardnerianum
· Willow – grey and crack · Salix cinerea and
Salix fragilis
· Woolly nightshade · Solanum mauritianum
· Yellow flag iris · Iris pseudacorus
37
39
41
42
43
44
46
47
48
49
50
51
· Potential pest plants ·
53
· Bushy asparagus · Asparagus aethiopicus · California bulrush · Schoenoplectus
californicus
54
55
· Chilean flame creeper · Tropaeolum
speciosum
· Chilean rhubarb · Gunnera tinctoria and
G. manicata
· Chocolate vine · Akebia quinata
· Freshwater eel grass · Vallisneria gigantea,
V.spiralis
· Fringed water lily · Nymphoides peltata
· Hawkweed · Hieracium pilosella
· Horse nettle · Solanum carolinense
· Horsetail · Equisetum species
· Hydrilla · Hydrilla verticillata
· Kudzu vine · Pueraria montana
· Marshwort · Nymphoides geminata
· Mexican water lily · Nymphaea mexicana
· Monkey apple tree · Acmena smithii
· Purple loosestrife · Lythrum salicaria
· Reed sweetgrass · Glyceria maxima
· Saltwater paspalum · Paspalum vaginatum
· Rhododendron ponticum · Rhododendron
ponticum
· Sagittaria · all Sagittaria species · Water Poppy · Hydrocleys nymphoides
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
3
· Nuisance pest plants ·
75
· Agapanthus · Agapanthus praecox
· Blackberry · Rubus fruiticosus
· Blue morning glory · Ipomoea indica
· Wandering Jew/Wandering Willie ·
Tradescantia fluminensis
76
77
78
· Pest animals ·
81
79
· Dama wallaby · Macropus eugenii
83
· Feral cat · Felis catus
84
· Wild deer · Cervus and Dama species
85
· Feral goat · Capra hircus
86
· Feral pig · Sus scrofa
87
· European hedgehog · Erinaceus europaeus 88
· Mustelids · Ferret · Mustela furo · Stoat ·
Mustela erminea · Weasel · Mustela nivalis
vulgaris
89
· Possum · Trichosurus vulpecula
90
· Rabbit · Oryctolagus cuniculus
91
· Ship rat · Rattus rattus 92
· Norway rat · Rattus norvegicus
93
· Magpie · Gymnorhina tibicen
94
· Rainbow lorikeet · Trichoglossus haematodus 95
4
· Rook · Corvus frugilegis
96
· Brown bullhead catfish · Ameiurus nebulosus ·
Koi carp · Cyprinus carpio ·Gambusia ·
Gambusia affinis · Wild goldfish · Carassius
auratus
97
· Perch · Perca fluviatilis · Tench · Tinca tinca · Rudd · Scardinius erythrophthalmus
99
· Australian paper wasp · Polistes humilis ·
Asian paper wasp · Polistes chinensis
101
· Common wasp · Vespula vulgaris · German
wasp · Vespula germanica 102
· Argentine ant · Linepithema humile · Darwin’s
ant · Doleromyrma darwiniana
103
Key for plant types
Aquatic plant
Aquatic herb
Marginal aquatic plant
Semi-aquatic herb
Fern/fern ally
Herb
Grass
Shrub
Ground cover
Tree
Vine
5
Key for plant control
Physical control
This is effective for small infestations. This can either be done by hand, or using tools such as a
spade to dig the plant out.
Biological control
For some plants there are biological agents such as insects that are natural enemies to plants.
Contact Environment Waikato for plants marked with this symbol to see if a biological control option
is available.
Stump/stem treatment
This involves cutting the stem or stump and treating the remaining plant to prevent re-growth with
herbicide. Various plants need different treatments
Spray application
This can be effective on large infestations and young plants that are less than one metre high. Spray
all parts of the plant using a knapsack sprayer or handgun. Follow label directions carefully and
don’t let the herbicide come in contact with any desired plant species.
For more information on controlling pest plants see the contacts below or contact your pest plant
officer on 0800 BIOSECURITY or visit www.weedbusters.co.nz.
6
Pest plant categories
Eradication pest plants are of limited distribution or density in the region or part of the region and where the
eventual goal is eradication at known sites in the region. If these pests are seen, please call 0800 BIOSECURITY
for a biosecurity officer to take action.
Containment pest plants are abundant in suitable habitats in the region or part of the region. The goal may
be to contain the density of a pest within its range, or prevent its spread to neighbours or other parts of the
region. Please notify Environment Waikato for pests in this section that have the 0800 BIOSECURITY number
underneath.
Potential pest plants are pests of concern to the region, where there is no strategy rule requiring the land
occupier to control the pest. They may be known in neighbouring regions but relatively little is known about
their extent and/or possible effects in the Waikato region, and/or there may not be current reliable and effective
control methods. Potential pest plants may also apply to species that are just emerging as potentially serious
threats in the region.
Nuisance pest plants are plants that are not formally within the Waikato Regional Pest Management Strategy.
These plants are regularly a nuisance to a majority of landowners and are included to specifically address control
of these plants for general information only.
7
8
Photo: Trevor James
· Eradication pest plants ·
9
African feather grass · Pennisetum
macrourum
Grass
Category · Eradication
Threat · Production · Environmental
· African feather grass ·
Description · African feather grass is a robust perennial grass
which forms large clumps up to 2 m high, resembling pampas
grass. It is a native of South Africa and invades poor pasture areas,
roadside verges, reserves and forest margins.
Impact · African feather grass can completely suppress other low
growing plants. Its dense clumps can totally inhibit the movement
of animals, people and machinery, and will block drains and impair
visibility along roads. Dense patches provide habitat for rabbits and
are also fire hazards. There are a limited number of known sites
in the Waikato region, principally around Taupo, Te Kauwhata and
Taupiri.
Photo: Trevor James
If you have seen this plant, please call 0800 BIOSECURITY.
10
Alligator weed · Alternanthera philoxeroides
Marginal aquatic plant
Impact · Aquatic Alligator weed restricts water flow, increases
sedimentation, aggravates flooding and has the potential to spread
to high value conservation areas. Access for recreational purposes
(boating/fishing) can be blocked and plants may affect whitebait
breeding areas. It is also a pasture pest. Terrestrial alligator weed is
toxic to livestock. In crops its growth rate, competitive nature, rapid
spread via cultivation and resistance to selective herbicides makes
it one of the very worst economic weeds.
If you have seen this plant, please call 0800 BIOSECURITY.
11
· Alligator weed ·
Description · Alligator weed is a perennial aquatic and terrestrial
herb with long, fibrous roots. It can creep along the ground or float
on water. The perennial aquatic plant can form extensive floating
mats that extend out from the banks of rivers or drains and eff
ectively cover the water surface.
Photo: Trevor James
Category · Eradication
Threat · Production · Environmental
Cathedral bells · Cobaea scandens
Vine
Category · Eradication
Threat · Environmental
· Cathedral bells ·
Description · Cathedral bells are a vigorous, fast growing,
perennial climber with stems up to 10 m long. Its characteristic
purple bell-shaped flowers are followed by green oval fruit. These
produce winged seeds that are carried by wind or water.
Impact · The vines of cathedral bells can grow over trees and
shrubs forming a dense canopy, smothering native plants. It
is largely restricted to a few sites adjacent to Waikato River, at
Karapiro and Hamilton city.
Photo: C. Lewis, Weedbusters
If you have seen this plant, please call 0800 BIOSECURITY.
12
Climbing spindleberry · Celastrus orbiculatus
Vine
Category · Eradication
Threat · Production · Environmental
· Climbing spindleberry ·
Description · Climbing spindleberry is a deciduous climber that
can grow up to 12 m high and form stems up to 20 cm in diameter.
It is aggressively invasive and seedlings are shade-tolerant. Leaves
turn to a characteristic bright yellow before falling in autumn.
Inconspicuous flowers are green and appear from October to
December. Yellow conspicuous fruits open to expose a scarlet
centre, evident from May onwards.
Impact · Climbing spindleberry has the potential to invade a
wide range of terrestrial habitats from scrub to forest, adversely
affecting native species by smothering or displacing them. It is also
a threat to production forestry with its demonstrated potential to
strangle pines.
If you have seen this plant, please call 0800 BIOSECURITY.
13
Evergreen buckthorn · Rhamnus alaternus
Shrub
Photo: Trevor James
· Evergreen buckthorn ·
Category · Eradication
Threat · Environmental
Description · Evergreen buckthorn is an evergreen shrub or tree
that grows to 10 m. There are separate male and female plants,
which may account for its slow spread to date. It may grow from
suckers.
Impact · Evergreen buckthorn poses a serious threat to coastal
vegetation. It competes strongly with native coastal species and
can restrict access to recreational areas.
Buckthorn has the ability to colonise stream and forest margins
and disturbed forests. Because this plant can form dense
colonies, it can alter the structure of native forest ecosystems in a
very short period of time.
Photo: Trevor James
If you have seen this plant, please call 0800 BIOSECURITY.
14
Impact · Once established, Japanese knotweed and giant knotweed
spread remorselessly and quickly form monoculture stands. The
rhizome system can be up to 3 m deep and can extend up to
7 m from the parent plant, pre-empting the germination and
establishment of other plants. It grows principally in disturbed
areas, roadsides and river banks. Japanese knotweed and
giant knotweed occur at sites in Taupiri, Karangahake (south
Coromandel), Hamilton and in South Waikato.
If you have seen this plant, please call 0800 BIOSECURITY.
Giant knotweed
15
· Japanese and Giant knotweed ·
Description · Japanese knotweed and giant knotweed are shrubs
that grow to a height of 2 to 3 m. Japanese knotweed has flecked
bamboo-like stems and white flowers. It spreads locally through an
extensive rhizome system and to new locations from shoots and
roots transported by water or people.
Japanese knotweed
Photo: Trevor James
Category · Eradication
Threat · Environmental
Shrub
Photo: Trevor James
Japanese knotweed · Fallopia japonica and
Giant knotweed · Fallopia sachalinensis
Manchurian wild rice · Zizania latifolia
Grass
Category · Eradication
Threat · Environmental
· Manchurian wild rice ·
Description · Manchurian wild rice is a wetland grass, which grows
up to 4 m tall and has spreading rhizomes. It is relatively hardy and
can grow in both fresh and brackish water.
Impact · Manchurian wild rice forms dense colonies in swampy
areas. It displaces other species by its dense growth. It also
impacts on farm land by blocking drainage and access to water,
and increases the chance of flooding. Rhizomes can also break up
stop banks. The species is now subject to a national programme
for eradication being carried out by Ministry of Agriculture and
Biosecurity New Zealand, and supported by Environment Waikato.
Photo: Trevor James
If you have seen this plant, please call 0800 BIOSECURITY.
16
Mile-a-minute · Dipogon lignosus
Vine
Category · Eradication
Threat · Environmental
· Mile-a-minute ·
Description · Mile-a-minute has delta-shaped leaves. Its flowers
may be pink, white, lavender and white or reddish purple. It occurs
at forest margins, open scrubland and roadsides and spreads via
water and birds.
Impact · Mile-a-minute is a vigorously growing climbing plant that
threatens native habitats by smothering ground plants, shrubs and
regenerating trees. It eventually takes over completely by shading
out the plants underneath.
Photo: C. Lewis, Weedbusters
If you have seen this plant, please call 0800 BIOSECURITY.
17
Nassella tussock · Nassella trichotoma and fine
stemmed needle grass · N. tenuissima
· Nassella tussock and fine stemmed needle grass ·
Grass
Category · Eradication
Threat · Production · Environmental
Common name · Mexican feather grass
Description · Nassella tussock and fine stemmed needle grass
(Mexican feather grass) are vigorous perennial grasses with
numerous fine and wiry leaves. Plants grow up to 1 m high and
across.
Impact · Nassella tussock and fine stemmed needle grass
(Mexican feather grass) are tolerant of many environmental
conditions. They can both form a complete ground cover in pasture
if left uncontrolled.
Photo: Trevor James
If you have seen this plant, please call 0800 BIOSECURITY.
18
Noogoora bur · Xanthium strumarium
Herb
Very few infestations of Noogura bur are known in the Waikato
region at present. Historically known in the Matamata-Piako,
south Waikato and Hauraki districts, the only known current
infestation is in the Waipa district.
If you have seen this plant, please call 0800 BIOSECURITY.
Photo: Trevor James
Impact · Noogoora bur seeds and seedlings are poisonous to
all livestock (pigs and cattle especially), horses and poultry. Dry
burs may cause discomfort and injury, particularly to sheep, and
damage wool.
19
· Noogoora bur ·
Description · Noogoora bur is an erect summer annual growing
1.5-3 m high, with a deep taproot and extensive root system.
Plants prefer warm situations in temperate regions on highly
fertile and disturbed soils. Several germinations occur after late
spring and summer rain, or after irrigation. Noogoora bur is
more aggressive and has a more extensive root system than its
relative Bathurst bur (xanthium spinosum).
Photo: Trevor James
Category · Eradication
Threat category · Production
Old man’s beard · Clematis vitalba
Vine
Category · Eradication
Threat · Environmental
· Old man’s beard ·
Description · Old man’s beard is a deciduous, woody, perennial
climber that may reach 25 m in height. Old man’s beard should not
be confused with any native species of clematis. The native species
usually have only three leaflets per leaf (compared with five for old
man’s beard).
Photo: Trevor James
Impact · Old man’s beard is generally now recognised as the most
damaging alien climber in New Zealand. The plant is particularly
troublesome in secondary growth or damaged indigenous forests
where it will outgrow and eventually destroy supporting plant life.
One plant can blanket an area up to 180 m2. There are significant
infestations of old man’s beard in the King Country district and it is
known in small amounts in most other parts of the region.
20
If you have seen this plant, please call 0800 BIOSECURITY.
Senegal tea · Gymnocoronis spilanthoides
Semi-aquatic herb
If you have seen this plant, please call 0800 BIOSECURITY.
21
· Senegal tea ·
Impact · Senegal tea is an extremely aggressive freshwater weed
that inhabits wetlands, ponds and streams. It forms dense floating
mats, which can quickly cover waterways or wetland areas causing
a number of serious adverse effects. It has the ability to exclude
submerged native plants. By modifying habitats and smothering
other useful species, Senegal tea may displace traditional food
sources of value to Maori. It may also impede the flow of water
and interfere with water utilisation including navigation and
recreational activities.
Photo: Trevor James
Description · Senegal tea is a semi aquatic perennial herb which
grows to 1.5 m. It has dark green leaves with serrated margins
which are arranged in opposite pairs. As stems mature they
become hollow and six-sided. Whitish flowers with many florets,
resembling ‘pom poms’ are produced over summer.
Photo: Trevor James
Category · Eradication
Threat · Environmental
Spartina · Spartina species and hybrids
Grass
Category · Eradication
Threat · Environmental
Photo: Trevor James
· Spartina ·
Description · Spartina is a robust erect grass to 1 m tall. Massive
root systems with short fleshy rhizomes. Alternative leaves are
wide and ribbed. Flowers produced in a head of short flattened
spikelets. Two species of spartina are present in the Waikato region
(S. alterniflora and S. anglica).
22
Impact · Spartina is capable of taking over large areas of estuarine
habitat. The resultant loss of natural habitat (for wading birds and
fish spawning sites), recreational fisheries and seafood sources
for Maori would have serious consequences for the region.
Excessive growth can cause navigation problems. The Department
of Conservation is the lead management agency for the control
of spartina. The majority of spartina infestations occur on
conservation managed land in the coastal marine area, with some
small infestations on rateable land.
If you have seen this plant, please call 0800 BIOSECURITY.
Variegated thistle · Silybum marianum
Herb
If you have seen this plant, please call 0800 BIOSECURITY.
23
· Variegated thistle ·
Impact · Variegated thistle grows best on high fertility soils and
may be found in pastures. It can be poisonous to cattle and, to
a lesser extent, sheep. Its broad leaves also smother pasture to
provide a favourable site for the next crop of thistles. This reduces
the carrying capacity of agricultural land. The consequential need
to control the plant imposes added farm production costs on the
occupier. The known infestations of variegated thistle are at Aria,
Te Akau and Pairere.
Photo: Trevor James
Description · Variegated thistle is a very conspicuous spiny
biennial, easily recognised by cream marks on leaves, which give
it a variegated or ‘blotchy’ appearance. The plant may reach 2 m in
diameter.
Photo: Trevor James
Category · Eradication
Threat · Production
White bryony · Bryonia cretica
Vine
Photo: Trevor James
· White bryony ·
Photo: Trevor James
Female flowers
Photo: Trevor James
Male flowers
24
Category · Eradication
Threat · Environmental
Description · White bryony is a perennial vine that can reach
6 m tall. The leaves resemble those of cucumber. It has large
fleshy roots in the form of a persistent tuber.
Impact · White bryony has the potential to cause substantial
environmental damage in New Zealand. It can smother small
trees and shrubs and exclude all other species. It is easily
dispersed and may be difficult to kill due to its persistent tuber.
Its dense growth habit may also impede recreational access
to areas. It has been likened to having the same potential as
old man’s beard. White bryony has a limited distribution in
the region. There are only two known sites in the region – at
Aria and Mokauiti. The species is now subject to a national
programme for eradication being carried out by MAF and
Biosecurity New Zealand.
If you have seen this plant, please call 0800 BIOSECURITY.