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Cape heath (Erica glandulosa)

Cape heath is an introduced South African shrub recorded as an environmental weed in Victoria. Victoria’s April 2018 advisory list rated it very high risk, with a risk ranking score of 32.3, and classified it as being at an early stage of invasion.

Key facts

Type: Weed, shrub.

Native to: South Africa, especially the Cape region.

Established in: NSW, VIC.

Other names: Glandular heath.

Best time to act: Survey when plants are flowering for easier identification, and control plants before seed is shed, with follow-up checks for new seedlings.

Identification

  • A woody, branching shrub with narrow, small leaves arranged in whorls along the stems.
  • The stems, leaves or flower parts may have glandular hairs; inspect them closely with a hand lens where possible.
  • Flowers are tubular and clustered toward the ends of branches, with colour that can vary from pink or red to pale shades.
  • Check flowering and fruiting material against a current botanical key, as Erica species can be difficult to identify from foliage alone.
  • Look-alike: Other Erica species and native heath shrubs can have similar narrow leaves and tubular flowers; use flowers and a botanical key to confirm identification.

Where it grows

It can establish in open, well-drained, acidic soils, including heathland and disturbed sites, where local conditions suit it.

Why it matters

  • It can establish in native vegetation and compete with indigenous plants for light, space and other resources.
  • Dense shrub growth can alter the structure of heathland or other open vegetation and reduce habitat available to native plants.
  • Its very high risk rating in Victoria reflects its potential as an environmental weed, although the advisory list classifies its invasion there as early stage.

How it spreads

  • Plants produce seeds that can establish new plants beyond existing infestations.
  • Seed-bearing soil and plant material moved by people, vehicles or machinery can carry seeds to uninfested sites.
  • Avoid moving contaminated soil or vegetation, and check equipment after working in infested areas.

Control options

  • For small plants, hand-pull or dig out the whole plant, including the roots, and remove it in a way that prevents seed spread.
  • For larger plants, use an appropriate physical or herbicide method; any herbicide must be registered for the use and applied according to its label and relevant requirements.
  • Treat before seed is shed where practicable, and revisit the site to find and control seedlings or regrowth.
  • Report new or unusual infestations to the land manager or relevant state or territory biosecurity agency.

Hygiene and washdown

  • Before leaving an infested site, remove plant material and soil from boots, tools, vehicles and machinery, and dispose of it so seeds are not spread.
  • Avoid transporting contaminated soil or vegetation to clean sites; inspect and clean gear before moving between work areas.
  • 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: Not prohibited or restricted. Not listed as prohibited or restricted matter in Queensland. 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: Not listed. Not found in the Western Australian Organism List. Check with DPIRD before moving or keeping it.
  • Tasmania: Declared weed. Property managers are required by law to control declared weeds, and their import and sale are prohibited.
  • 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.

  • New South Wales: Biosecurity Act 2015 (NSW), administered by NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
  • Victoria: Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (Vic), administered by Agriculture Victoria

Sources