Time to attack invasive weed
By KRISTINA RAPLEY - Eastern Courier
INVASIVE WEED: Graham Wrightson from the Auckland Regional Council, next to some moth plants growing on the side of the road in East Tamaki.
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The fast-spreading moth plant needs to be cut out now, says Auckland Regional Council.
It is particularly bad in East Tamaki.
The regional council says the plant is in flower now and by March the seeds will have started to spread.
Biosecurity group manager Jack Craw says the weed is extremely widespread.
"It’s an invasive weed that chokes other trees and plants.
"It’s an insidious, invasive pest plant. It’s also a minor health concern because the white milky sap causes dermatitis and skin itching."
He advises people wear gloves when chopping it down.
The flowers are white, and bell-shaped, and from now until April the big seed pods are starting to form. They split open when ripe, and disperse thousands of fluffy seeds.
Mr Craw says to make sure it dies, residents have to find the root and pull it out of the ground.
The ARC is not responsible for the removal of moth plant, but happy to offer advice on how to get rid of it from your garden.
Call 366-2000 or visit www.arc.govt.nz for more information.
