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Bog moss (Mayaca fluviatilis)

Bog moss is an aquatic plant that was originally sold as an ornamental aquarium and pond plant and appears to be in the early stages of spreading in Queensland waterways. It can form dense mats that block water bodies and smother or replace aquatic plants.

Key facts

Type: Weed, aquatic.

Native to: Parts of North, Central and South America.

Established in: QLD.

Identification

  • It is an aquatic herb that grows fully submerged or as a semi-terrestrial plant along wetland margins.
  • Its white stems have pink tips and are usually 40–60 cm long, sometimes growing over 1 m.
  • Its moss-like, thread-like leaves are arranged in dense spirals.
  • Its flowers are pink and have three petals.

Where it grows

In Queensland, it can grow in shallow freshwater ponds, streams and drainage ditches in tropical and subtropical coastal areas.

Why it matters

  • It can form dense mats that block shallow freshwater ponds, streams and drainage ditches.
  • It has the potential to smother and replace aquatic plant species.
  • Native aquatic plants are affected.

How it spreads

  • Bog moss spreads through broken stem fragments.
  • Seeds can be spread by water.

Control options

  • Herbicide control is effective; consult the bog moss fact sheet for herbicide control information and application rates.
  • Take all reasonable and practical measures under your control to minimise biosecurity risks when dealing with bog moss.
  • Bog moss is a category 3 and 5 restricted invasive plant under Queensland's Biosecurity Act 2014. Do not keep it, give it away, sell it or release it into the environment.

Hygiene and washdown

  • Avoid moving water containing bog moss seeds or broken stem fragments between water bodies, as water can spread seeds and fragments can disperse the plant.
  • 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, categories 3, 5. Do not give it away, sell or release it into the environment; do not keep it. 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: Declared pest (C1), prohibited. C1 Exclusion: to be kept out of WA, or out of the parts of WA where it is not established. Report any sighting to DPIRD. It must not be brought into WA (prohibited organism).
  • 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)

Sources