Invasive Alien Plants
Invasive plant species are those plant species that have been introduced into an area outside their normal distribution (South Africa), either by accident (unintentional) or on purpose (intentional) and have colonised or invaded their new home, threatening biological diversity, ecosystems, habitats and human wellbeing.
Increased human and plant mobility has contributed significantly to the introduction of exotic plants into South Africa. These alien and invasive plants pose a severe threat to plant and animal diversity, water use and ecosystem integrity. The spread of these plant species (both intentionally and unintentionally) is a good example of the lack of understanding of ecosystem processes that has been a major cause of environmental degradation.
Sensitive and vulnerable, highly dynamic or stressed ecosystems such as coastal shores, estuaries, wetlands, grasslands and open savannah require specific attention in environmental management and planning procedures, especially where they are subjected to significant human resource usage and development pressures.
Types of alien invasive plants found in Johannesburg
Invasive species are controlled by the National Environmental Management; Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act no. 10 of 2004) – Alien and Invasive Species (AIS) Regulations which became law on 1 October 2014.
Invasive species are divided into four categories:
Category 1a: Invasive species which must be combated and eradicated. Any form of trade or planting is strictly prohibited.
Category 1b: Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed. Any form of trade or planting is strictly prohibited.
Category 2: Invasive species or species deemed to be potentially invasive, in that a permit is required to carry out restricted activity. Category 2 species include commercially important species such as pine, wattle and gum trees. Plants in riparian areas are Cat 1b.
Category 3: Invasive species which may remain in prescribed areas or provinces. Further planting, propagation or trade is however prohibited. Plants in riparian areas are Cat 1b.
|
No. |
Species |
Common Name |
Category |
Legal Status |
|
1 |
Acacia Dealbata |
Silver Wattle |
1b plants in riparian areas |
Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed. |
|
2 |
Acacia Mearnsii |
Black Wattle |
1b plants in riparian areas |
Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed |
|
3 |
Acacia Melanoxylon |
Australian Blackwood |
2 |
: Invasive species or species deemed to be potentially invasive, in that a permit is required to carry out restricted activity |
|
4 |
Araujia Sericifera |
Moth Catcher |
1b |
Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed |
|
5 |
Arundo Donax |
Giant reed, Spanish reed |
1b |
Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed |
|
6 |
Campuloclinium Macrocephalum |
Pompom Weed |
1b |
Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed |
|
7 |
Cereus Hexagonus |
Queen of the Night |
1b |
Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed |
|
8 |
Cereus Hildmannianus |
Queen of the Night |
1b |
Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed |
|
9 |
Cereus Jamacaru |
Queen of the Night |
1b |
Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed |
|
10 |
Cestrum Laevigatum |
Inkberry |
1b |
Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed |
|
11 |
Cortaderia Jubata |
Pampas Grass |
1b |
Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed |
|
12 |
Cortaderia Selloana |
Pampas Grass |
1b |
Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed |
|
13 |
Datura Ferox |
Large Thorn Apple |
1b |
Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed |
|
14 |
Datura Stramonium |
Common Thorn Apple |
1b |
Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed |
|
15 |
Eichhornia Crassipes |
Water Hyacinth |
1b |
Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed |
|
16 |
Eucalyptus Grandis |
Saligna Gum |
1b riparian areas, protected areas, Listed Ecosystem |
Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed |
|
17 |
Ipomoea Alba |
Moonflower |
1b |
Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed |
|
18 |
Iris Pseudacorus |
Yellow Flag |
1a |
Invasive species which must be combated and eradicated |
|
19 |
Lantana |
Lantana, Tickberry, Cherry Pie |
1b |
Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed |
|
20 |
Melia Azedarach |
Seringa |
1b 3 in urban areas |
Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed |
|
21 |
Nymphaea Mexicana |
Yellow Water Lilies |
1b |
Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed |
|
22 |
Opuntia Microdasys |
Yellow Bunny-Ears, Teddy-Bear Cactus |
1b |
Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed |
|
23 |
Pennisetum Clandestinum |
Kikuyu Grass |
1b in protected areas and wetlands |
Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed |
|
24 |
Pinus Patula |
Patula Pine |
2 |
: : Invasive species or species deemed to be potentially invasive, in that a permit is required to carry out restricted activity |
|
25 |
Pinus Radiata |
Radiata Pine, Montery Pine |
1b elsewhere 2 for plantations and wind-rows |
: Invasive species or species deemed to be potentially invasive, in that a permit is required to carry out restricted activity |
|
26 |
Populus Canescens |
Grey Poplar, Matchwood Poplar |
2 |
Invasive species or species deemed to be potentially invasive, in that a permit is required to carry out restricted activity |
|
27 |
Ricinus Communis |
Castor-oil Plant |
2 |
Invasive species or species deemed to be potentially invasive, in that a permit is required to carry out restricted activity |
|
28 |
Robinia Pseudoacacia |
Black Locust |
1b |
Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed |
|
29 |
Rubus Ellipticus |
Himalayan Raspberry |
1a |
Invasive species which must be combated and eradicated |
|
30 |
Salvinia Molesta |
Kariba weed, Salvinia |
1b |
Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed |
|
31 |
Solanum Mauritianum |
Bugweed |
1b |
Invasive species which must be controlled and wherever possible, removed and destroyed |
