21-01-2025
Upper Lachlan Shire Council Biosecurity Officers are asking Shire residents to look out for an emerging priority weed that has been found in the Shire know as Sticky Nightshade (Solanum Sisymbriifolium).
Over the last two years, there have been two known incursions. Director of Environment and Planning, Simon Arkinstall advised, “The Biosecurity Officers have such a huge area to monitor and have done a fantastic job in identifying Sticky Nightshade and ensuring they eradicate it when possible. Biosecurity Officers are working with landholders to notify and assist council, as this is not the first time Sticky Nightshade has been found in the shire”.
Sticky Nightshade is an erect plant to 1.5 m high. Most of the plant is hairy and covered in very sharp prickles. It is an annual or short-lived perennial. Multiple, severe frosts may kill the above ground parts of the plant, however it will reshoot in spring. It can flower within 5 weeks of germination or regrowth from rhizomes. Flowering is usually during spring and summer.
Prickles are: yellow to red and sometimes brown on older prickles, 1–10 mm long on stems, leaves (top and bottom) and leaf stalks and at the base of flowers.
Flowers are: white or pale bluish-purple star shaped with 5 petals that curve backwards and bright yellow anthers in the centre, 35–50 mm in diameter in groups of 4–12 present spring to summer
Fruit are: round berries, bright red when ripe, 15–20 mm diameter.
Chief Executive Officer Alex Waldron said “We are lucky as a community that many landholders are weed conscious and cooperative when it comes to the control of priority weeds on the land. It is a reminder to everyone that Under the Biosecurity Act 2015, all landholders have a General Biosecurity Duty to ensure all biosecurity risks, including weeds, are minimised, prevented or eliminated. Therefore, I encourage anyone wanting to know more to contact council and discuss options with our fantastic Biosecurity Officers”.
If you or anyone you know have concerns regarding Sticky Nightshade or other priority weeds, please contact Council Administration Staff on (02) 4830 1000.