Environment

Pittwaters' 10 Worst Weeds

1. Small Leaf Privet | Large Leaf Privet 
   Both the Privet tree and shrub can cause asthma attacks, allergic rhinitis and hay fever - and a single shrub produces more than 10,000 seeds a year ...
2. Ochna
   Extremely difficult to remove. With a copious supply of seeds from suburban gardens distributed by birds, Ochna has taken over in many areas of bushland ...
3. African Olive
   The great invader - African Olives will grow almost anywhere and can be found in bushland and on dunes and headlands.
4. Asthma Weed
   This nasty weed can cause asthma, conjunctivitis, rhinitis, hay fever and skin rashes ...
5. Ehrharta (Panic Grass) 
   Dominating the ground layer to the exclusion of every other plant at that level, prolific Ehrharta is a serious weed of gardens and bushland ...
6. Morning Glory
   Smothering trees and understorey vegetation alike, this invasive weed poses a huge threat to the bushland environment ...
7. Madeira Vine
   An aggressive climber, Madeira Vine can smother 40m trees, restricting light to the plants below and even breaking the tree it is climbing on with its weight ...
8. Asparagus Fern
   Sprouting from seeds as well as tubers, Asparagus Fern spreads prolifically and stops other plants from growing - a true enemy of bushland ...
9. Moth Vine
   Its acidic sap causes severe discomfort if it gets in the eyes or mouth. A vigorous climber, it grows on and smothers other plants of any height ...
10. Trad (Wandering Jew) 
    Trad's sap can cause dermatitis in humans and dogs, and it spreads rapidly, smothering the ground and stopping all other plants from growing ...

Source: Pittwater Council