FIREWEED

Native to southern Africa, fireweed is a daisy-like herb. Fireweed was first recorded in Australia in the Hunter Valley in 1918. It is thought to have arrived in the ballast of ships trading between Australia and Europe via Cape Town. Fireweed spread slowly at first, but, in the past 30 years, has rapidly increased its range, most likely aided by modern transport and rural practices.

Fireweed competes with pasture and is toxic to livestock. It is found along the entire New South Wales coast and scattered across various regions of Queensland.
Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) can easily be mistaken for closely related, native Senecio species, particularly Senecio pinnatifolius and Senecio brigalowensis. Senecio brigalowensis is increasingly abundant, weedy, and also causes cattle poisoning.
You must manage the impacts of Fireweed on your land. You must not give away, sell or release Fireweed into the environment.

Fireweed is toxic, causing irreversible liver damage in livestock, particularly cattle, if ingested over an extended period. In addition, the species is very closely related to native Senecio species, and might hybridise with these species, potentially modifying the native gene pool.

It is found along the entire New South Wales coast and scattered across various regions of Queensland. Fireweed can easily be mistaken for closely related, native Senecio species, particularly Senecio pinnatifolius and Senecio brigalowensis.

Spray FireHawk Bioherbicide Concentrate: 50 mL/L of water. Respray when regrowth occurs from roots and/or runners. May require repeated application to obtain long-term weed control.