Annual thunbergia
Alert
Have you seen Annual thunbergia?
Be on the lookout for Annual thunbergia and report it to Biosecurity Queensland. Early detection and reporting are the key elements in preventing Annual thunbergia from becoming a major pest in Queensland.
You must take reasonable action to minimise the risk of spreading Annual thunbergia to ensure the situation isn't worsened.
You must report all sightings to Biosecurity Queensland within 24 hours.
Call us on 13 25 23.
Annual thunbergia
© Queensland Government
Native to arid parts of northern Africa, annual thunbergia is an erect, annual herb that can degrade the banks of creeks and rivers and threaten native vegetation. While it has not yet been found in Australia, it has the potential to be a major threat to tropical and subtropical areas if released here.
Unlike many other species of thunbergia, annual thunbergia is not a climbing vine.
Scientific name
Similar species
Description
- Annual herb up to 35cm tall.
- Leaves are smooth, arranged in opposite pairs along stem.
- Flowers are white, about 2cm long, may have cream centre.
Habitat
- Prefers frost-free locations.
Distribution
- Not know to occur in Queensland, but has potential to spread across tropical and subtropical areas.
Life cycle
- Reproduces from seed and root pieces.
Impacts
Environmental
- Could threaten remnant vegetation in Wet Tropics.
- Degrades banks of creeks and rivers.
How it is spread
- Seeds spread by natural and human processes.
- Also spread vegetatively by root pieces moving along riverbanks during floods, or in earth removed from infested sites for fill or other soil use.
Prevention
Control
- Before undertaking any preventative or control actions, contact our Customer Service Centre.
Legal requirements
- Annual thunbergia is a prohibited invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
- You must not keep, move, give away, sell or release into the environment. Penalties may apply.
- You must not take any action reasonably likely to exacerbate the biosecurity threat posed by annual thunbergia.
- You must take any action that is reasonably likely to minimise the biosecurity threat posed by annual thunbergia.
- You must report all sightings to Biosecurity Queensland within 24 hours.