Weed-pull work party at Korsman Conservancy
“The weed is probably from South America and experts haven't been able to fully identify the species yet,”
On March 31 volunteers gathered at Korsmans Conservancy to remove a weed called acalypha, which, according to Korsman Conservancy chairperson Jane Trembath, has invaded a section of grassland at Korsman.
“The weed is probably from South America and experts haven’t been able to fully identify the species yet,” explained Trembath.
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“I alerted the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and their biological invasions team came to help remove it and gather samples for the National Herbarium.
“They will also send samples overseas for proper identification.
“It is probable that someone brought this plant from overseas and the seeds washed in from the stormwater drains.
“As any traveller knows, there are restrictions on bringing in plant and animal products from overseas, as they (or pests that they carry, such as the shothole borer which is killing Joburg’s trees) could start invading without natural enemies.
“This one is so invasive that this is our third work party this year to remove it before it goes to seed.
“While they were here, the SANBI team also collected another alien plant (Euphorbia dentata) which hasn’t been recorded in South Africa before.
“It was identified from photographs I posted on iNaturalist by an American Euphorbia expert.
“We can all be ‘citizen scientists’ by photographing plants and insects and this helps national records.”
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