Know your alien invasive plant: Long-leaved wattle
Hillcrest Conservancy will produce weekly articles regarding the various alien invasive plant species in the Highway area to help the community identify and eliminate them.
PHOTO: www.keyserver.lucidcentral.org
THIS week, Hillcrest Conservancy takes a look at the Long-leaved wattle as part of its series of articles on alien invasive plants to help the community to identify and eradicate them from their gardens.
The Long-leaved wattle’s scientific name is Acacia longifolia, but it is also known as the Langblaarwattel in Afrikaans.
Description: This Acacia is an evergreen shrub or spreading tree growing to about six metres high. The leaves are as expected long, (180mm) bright green and spear-shaped with prominent longitudinal veins. It is a winter flowering plant with bright yellow, round flowering heads. The seed pods are light brown in colour.
Where does this species come from? It is originally from Australia and Tasmania.
Where in SA is it a problem? It now invades East and Western Cape, KZN and Mpumalanga.
What is its invasive status in South Africa? Due to its aggressive nature it has been declared a Category 1b alien invader.
Why is it a problem? It was used extensively to stabilise dunes but now out competes our indigenous vegetation and can transform vast tracts of land. It must be removed from your property to avoid prosecution.
How does it spread? Through seed dispersal.
