(Salpichroa origanifolia)
What is pampas lily-of-the-valley?
Pampas lily-of-the-valley is a toxic weed of urban areas.
Pampas lily-of-the-valley is a
declared weed in Tasmania under the Tasmanian Biosecurity Act 2019 and associated Regulations. The importation, sale and distribution of pampas lily-of-the-valley are prohibited in Tasmania.
The legal responsibilities of landholders and other stakeholders in dealing with pampas-lily-of-the-valley are laid out in the
Statutory Management Plan for Pampas Lily-of-the-Valley.
How to identify pampas lily-of-the-valley
Pampas lily-of-the-valley is a perennial (long-lived) herb with trailing, four-cornered zig-zagging stems that may reach 3 m long. The flowers are urn-shaped and white or cream in colour. The fruit is a yellow berry.
Seeds germinate in spring to early summer. Flowering occurs at any time but mostly in summer. Above-ground growth is killed off by autumn frosts, with new growth developing from the crown and roots in spring.
Pampas-lily-of-the-valley close-up of fruit and flowers, © Dean Zeven, NRE Tas.
Pampas lily-of-the-valley in Tasmania
Pampas lily-of-the-valley occurs as an occasional weed of roadsides and neglected areas in the north-west of Tasmania. Pampas lily-of-the-valley is also occasionally occurs in gardens.
Pampas lily-of-the-valley is an urban weed which can smother other vegetation and kill large shrubs and trees.
For further help in identifying pampas lily-of-the-valley, search the
Dennis Morris Weeds and Endemic Flora database for pampas lily-of-the-valley illustrations. If you are still in doubt about the weed you are dealing with, contact Biosecurity Tasmania on 03 6165 3777 for help.
What is the legal status of pampas lily-of-the-valley in your area?
Detailed management and control guidelines for Pampas lily-of-the-valley can be found in the
Pampas Lily-of-the-Valley Control Guide. Refer also to
Herbicides for Pampas Lily-of-the-Valley Control. For further information see Weed Links and Resources.
See also
Pampas Lily-of-the-Valley Control Guide
Do
Plan your control program, this will save time and money in the long-run;
Consider the impact of your control methods on off-target species, especially if herbicides are used;
Ensure machinery and equipment is washed down between sites or prior to contractors leaving site;
Get in early - For new infestations, eradicate before the plants reach the flowering stage: once plants begin seeding, control becomes more difficult and expensive;
Carefully time your use of herbicide for best results (see the
Herbicides for Pampas-Lily-of-the-Valley Control link for more information);
Coordinate your control program with neighbouring landholders where your weed problem crosses property boundaries;
Revisit and regularly inspect the site and ensure follow-up is undertaken;
Use a combination of different control methods; and
Establish vigorous pasture (or native species) after removal to reduce re-infestation.
Don't
Don't introduce pampas-lily-of-the-valley to pampas-lily-of-the-valley-free areas (e.g. by failing to wash down machinery and equipment between sites);
Don't start your control program without first planning your approach;
Don't allow pampas-lily-of-the-valley to flower and set seed before treatment;
Don't rely on one attempt at removal - follow-up is essential;
Don't rely on just one control method.
Spread of pampas lily-of-the-valley
Pampas lily-of-the-valley is spread by seed and regenerating root fragments.
Seeds are spread on contaminated equipment, clothing and mud, and when birds and rodents eat the fruit.
Root fragments are spread on cultivation equipment and during road-grading, and in garden refuse.
See the
Washdown Guidelines for Weed and Disease Control for detailed information on how to wash-down equipment and personnel to reduce the chance of spreading pampas lily-of-the-valley.
Physical removal
Individual plants can be removed with persistent digging, although all root material has to be removed.
All removed material should be bagged and disposed of to avoid spreading seed and root fragments.
Chemical control
Under an off-label permit issued by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), there are herbicides registered for the control of pampas-lily-of-the-valley in Tasmania. See
Herbicides for Pampas-Lily-of-the-Valley Control for more information.
Herbicides for Pampas Lily-of-the-Valley Control
Important Disclaimer
To the extent permitted by law, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (including its employees and consultants) excludes all liability to any person for any consequences, including but not limited to all losses, damages, costs, expenses and any other compensation, arising directly or indirectly from using information or material (in part or in whole) contained on this website.