Siam weed flowers in the winter months in North Queensland, the flowers (each with many seeds) set as the weather cools in about May.

Siam Weed information sessions for property owners

 SIAM weed (Chromolaena odorata) is the focus of weed management information sessions at Reid River and Hervey Range in coming weeks.

NQ Dry Tropics Senior Regional Pest Management Project Officer Rachael Payne said the information sessions at Runway Station, Reid River (29 February) and the community hall at Hervey Range (14 March) would help landholders to identify the pest on their properties and how to combat it.

Ms Payne said representatives of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) and Charters Towers Regional Council would talk about some of the methods used to tackle Siam weed, recognised as one of the world’s most invasive weeds.

Once established, it can out-compete native species at all levels and can climb up to 20m up trees and overwhelm them.

Siam weed is listed as a Restricted Invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014.

Officers from DAF will provide attendees with information about the new program being implemented to control Siam weed.

Charters Towers Regional Council Land Protection Officer Ashley Blokland will also be available at each session to answer questions on landholder General Biosecurity Obligations and council’s Siam Weed Surveillance program.

NQ Dry Tropics coordinates the Burdekin Dry Tropics Pest Management Group involving local and state government authorities, industry and infrastructure managers, local Landcare and Traditional Owner groups.

The information sessions will be hosted by NQ Dry Tropics and Charters Towers Regional Council and people wishing to attend should register their interest to council on 4761 5300 by 21 February for the Reid River session, and 7 March for the Hervey Range session.

Each session kicks off at about 8.30am and, apart from the wealth of information, attendees will also enjoy a free morning tea.

The Burdekin Dry Tropics Pest Management Group activities are funded by the Queensland Government as part of the Better Partnerships Project.

The distinctive pitchfork vein pattern is clearly visible in the Siam weed leaf.