The Department of Agriculture and Food has issued a warning to gardeners to be wary of buying plants from car boot sales, markets and fetes.
South West Invasive Species Project Manager at the Department, Dennis Rafferty said people needed to know what they were buying to ensure the plants were not invasive weeds.
“We have just found water hyacinth in a water feature at a Mount Hawthorn business,” Mr Rafferty said.
Warning to check for weeds
“The plant had been bought at a car boot sale in the Perth northern suburbs, and the buyer did not realise that it was an invasive plant that poses a major threat to our waterways in Western Australia.”
He said water hyacinth was one of the world’s worst weeds, choking up rivers, lakes and other waterways.
It is a declared plant in Western Australia and is prohibited from sale and must be destroyed when found.
“If anyone thinks they have this plant or any other suspect plants, they should not dump them in creeks or drains, or in bushland where they could proliferate and spread,” Mr Rafferty said.
“They should be put in a plastic bag in the sun, and the Department of Agriculture and Food should be called for advice.”
He said the discovery of the water hyacinth emphasised the need for caution when buying plants from amateurs.
“They may seem a cheap option, but could prove a major cost to the State’s environment and economy if they spread to our natural habitats, farmlands and waterways,” Mr Rafferty said.
“Department biosecurity officers do random spot checks of markets, and respond to reports of sales of banned plants. However, the public has a major role to play in exercising caution when buying or trading plants, and should report any suspect plants.”
He said reports could be made to Department’s Pest and Disease Information Service on 1800 084 881.
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