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African tulip tree (Spathodea campanulata)

African tulip tree is naturalised in northern Australia, in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland, with most Australian records near coastal eastern Queensland. It is an invasive environmental weed that can establish in forests and other wetter habitats.

Key facts

Type: Weed, tree.

Native to: Western tropical Africa to Uganda and Angola.

Established in: QLD, NSW, WA, NT.

Other names: South African Tulip Tree, African Tulip, Fireball, Flame of the Forest.

Best time to act: Flowers are present from May to December, making this a useful period to locate trees; treat before seed capsules release their winged seeds.

Identification

  • An evergreen tree that can grow to 15 m or more, often with a buttressed trunk or several stems.
  • Leaves are opposite and pinnate, with 3–19 ovate-lanceolate to elliptic leaflets and a leaflet at the tip.
  • Large orange to scarlet, bell-shaped flowers grow in terminal clusters; their margins are often yellowish and frilly.
  • The leathery, spathe-like calyx is split down one side, while the woody, flattened capsules are oblong-linear and can reach 30 cm long.

Where it grows

In Australia it grows in wetter sites including lake margins, waterways, gullies, wetlands, rainforest, riparian vegetation, open forest, woodland and disturbed areas such as roadsides.

Why it matters

  • It is an invasive environmental weed and is recorded invading forests in many Pacific islands.
  • In Australia it can establish in rainforest, riparian vegetation and other wetter habitats.
  • Its fruit is poisonous.

How it spreads

  • Numerous winged seeds are dispersed by wind and water.
  • Larger trees can spread by suckering, particularly when damaged.

Control options

  • Hand-pull or dig out small seedlings, removing the roots where practicable and avoiding disturbance that leaves roots behind.
  • For established trees, use an approved method such as cut-stump treatment or stem injection with a herbicide registered for that use; follow the product label and applicable state requirements.
  • Avoid spreading viable seed or moving material that could regrow, and dispose of capsules and plant material in accordance with local requirements.
  • Revisit treated sites to check for seedlings, regrowth and suckers, and follow up as needed; contact the relevant state or territory biosecurity agency for local advice or reporting requirements.

Hygiene and washdown

  • Before leaving an infested site, check and clean vehicles, machinery, boots and equipment so winged seeds and plant material are not carried elsewhere.
  • Do not move soil or water from infested areas to clean sites, and contain seed capsules during removal and disposal.
  • Inspect and clean vehicles, plant and footwear before leaving an infested area, paying attention to tyres, radiators, belly plates, tracks and floor mats.
  • Wash down at a designated bay where runoff is contained and can be monitored for seedlings.
  • Record each washdown so the client has evidence of clean entry and exit.

Classification by state

  • Australia (national): No national listing. Managed under state and territory law.
  • Queensland: Restricted matter, category 3. Do not give it away, sell or release it into the environment. Everyone must also take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise its risks (the general biosecurity obligation).
  • New South Wales: Not a priority weed. Not a state or regional priority weed in NSW. The general biosecurity duty applies: anyone dealing with it must prevent, eliminate or minimise the risk it poses.
  • Victoria: Not declared. Not declared under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. Other Victorian laws may still apply.
  • South Australia: Not declared. Not declared under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019. Other laws may still apply.
  • Western Australia: Permitted, not declared. Listed as a permitted organism in WA, so it can be brought in, but it is not a declared pest.
  • Tasmania: Not declared. Not a declared weed in Tasmania. Other laws may still apply.
  • Northern Territory: Check NT list. There is no NT weed profile for it. Check the NT declared weeds list for its current status.
  • Australian Capital Territory: Not declared. Not declared under the Biosecurity Act 2023 (ACT). A general biosecurity duty still applies.

Legal obligations

Every state and territory places a duty on landholders and people working on land to prevent the spread of invasive species, such as the general biosecurity obligation in Queensland and the general biosecurity duty in New South Wales. Declarations and control requirements differ between states and local government areas, so check the current official list before work starts.

  • Queensland: Biosecurity Act 2014 (Qld), administered by Biosecurity Queensland (13 25 23)
  • New South Wales: Biosecurity Act 2015 (NSW), administered by NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
  • Western Australia: Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (WA), administered by the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
  • Northern Territory: Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976 (NT), administered by NT Department of Lands, Planning and Environment

Sources