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Weeds of National Significance
Weeds of National Significance (WoNS)
What are weeds of National Significance?
20 weeds have been identified from a list of greater than 3000 non-native naturalised plants in the Australian Environment.
The 20 weeds are:
| Alligator Weed | Mesquite |
| Athel Pine | Mimosa |
| Bitou Bush/Boneseed | Parkinsonia |
| Blackberry | Parthenium Weed |
| Bridal Creeper | Pond Apple |
| Cabomba | Prickly Acacia |
| Chilean Needle Grass | Rubber Vine |
| Gorse | Salvina |
| Hymenachne | Serrated Tussock |
| Lantana | Willows * |
*Excluding Weeping Willows, Pussy Willows and sterile Pussy Willow.
For a full list of WoNS National Co-ordinators Click here.
What problems do Weeds of National Significance pose to Australians?
- Threat to human health and safety
- Threat to plant communities
- Threat to pastoral industries
- Threat to cultural values
- Threat to cropping industries
- Threat to tourism
- Threat to forestry management
- Threat to the community
- Threat to water quality and supplies
- Threat to recreation and amenities
- Threat to infrastructure damage
Why have Weeds of National Significance?
- To minimise the effects to Australia's productive capacity and natural ecosystems
- To manage future threats to: Primary Industries, Land Management, Human or Animal Welfare, Biodiversity and Conservation values.
How were the Weeds of National Significance identified?
A Weed Risk Assesment System was used that analysed each weeds:
- Invasiveness and impact characteristics
- Potential and current area of spread
- Current Primary industry, environmental and socioeconomic impacts
For more detailed information go to the National Weeds Stategy Website