{"id":494266,"date":"2026-02-21T08:26:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-21T08:26:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/494266\/"},"modified":"2026-02-21T08:26:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T08:26:09","slug":"destructive-invasive-pest-in-disguise-seized-by-aussie-crew-real-menace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/494266\/","title":{"rendered":"Destructive invasive pest ‘in disguise’ seized by Aussie crew: ‘Real menace’"},"content":{"rendered":"

An invasive weed that has the potential to transform ecosystems<\/a> has been found “in disguise” at a plant nursery in western Sydney. During an inspection of the business, authorities discovered the priority weed dressed as a bonsai.<\/p>\n

With its bright green leaves and small orange flowers, you’d be forgiven for thinking lantana<\/a> was a harmless and pretty plant. But it is poisonous to humans and animals if ingested, and can irritate eyes and skin if touched.<\/p>\n

In NSW alone, the shrub costs landholders more than $22 million each year to control. It can spread quickly and climb up trees.<\/p>\n

Chris Dewhurst from the Western Sydney Weeds Authority told Yahoo his team conducts around 120 inspections a year, and said it’s fairly rare to find an invasive weed for sale <\/a>\u2014 particularly one disguised as a bonsai tree.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The lantana was in flower, meaning the seeds could easily spread. Source: Western Sydney Weeds Authority<\/p>\n

“They were surprised and a little embarrassed,” he said of the nursery owners. “But they happily handed over the plant to us, so there were no issues.”<\/p>\n

Chris said if an unassuming person had purchased the 30cm-tall lantana, it could’ve continued to grow larger.<\/p>\n

“It’s also in flower at the moment, so even though it’s small, the seeds still could have dispersed, and then the seeds would have grown to fully grown plant.<\/p>\n

“It’s just one of those things that shows how things can slip through, how plants can still look beautiful and nice, but they can still be a real menace,” he said.<\/p>\n

“That’s where our role comes in to bridge that gap.”<\/p>\n

\"Source:<\/p>\n

Chris Dewhurst said the Western Sydney Weeds Authority conducts around 120 inspections a year. Source: Western Sydney Weeds Authority<\/p>\n

$1,000 fines in place for selling invasive weeds<\/p>\n

To the untrained eye, the lone plant at the nursery<\/a> could appear harmless \u2014 which exactly how its spread began in 1841 when it was brought into Australia as an ornamental plant.<\/p>\n

“Once it establishes in the natural environment, it will completely out-compete the native shrubs. It has a really negative impact on biodiversity,” Chris said.<\/p>\n

“Historically, nurseries have been responsible for bringing in lots of weeds into Australia. I think the statistic is around about 80 per cent of all weeds in our landscape originated in nurseries.<\/p>\n

“They’re obviously doing the most amount of importing, however that industry has done a really good job of reforming itself over the last sort of 20 years or so.”<\/p>\n

Chris said the types of weeds most commonly removed from nurseries included lantana, African olive and privet, but usually it’s not intentional.<\/p>\n

Those found to be purposely selling priority weeds can face on-the-spot fines of $1,000 in NSW<\/p>\n

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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