Weeds of National Significance (WONS)

Weeds - plants growing where they are not wanted - cause high economic, social and environmental costs in many parts of Australia. Some weed species are so widespread and insidious that they have become of national significance.

Weeds are not a recent phenomenon or focus of attention within Australia. There are over 2700 plant species that have been documented as weeds in Australia (Lazarides et al. 1997) with approximately 10% of naturalised plant species becoming weeds that cause significant economic and environmental damage (Williamson and Fitter 1996).

Information sourced from:

Thorp, J R, & Lynch, R (2000) The Determination of Weeds of National Significance. National Weeds Strategy Executive Committee, Launceston.

WONS Weed Management Fact Sheets (CRC)

20 weed species have been identified as being nationally significant in their status as weeds:

Alligator weed	Mesquite
Athel pine	Mimosa
Bitou bush	Parkinsonia
Boneseed	Parthenium weed
Blackberry	Pond apple
Bridal creeper	Prickly acacia
Cabomba	Rubber vine
Chilean needle grass	Salvinia
Gorse	Serrated tussock
Hymenachne	Willow
Lantana

All fact sheets have been developed by The CRC for Australian Weed Management (Weeds CRC)