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Erica holosericea (Erica holosericea)

Erica holosericea is one of 17 Erica species declared weeds in Tasmania, where its importation, sale and distribution are prohibited. Erica species are recognised as environmental and pasture weeds, and E. holosericea is among the seven species known to have populations in Tasmania.

Key facts

Type: Weed, shrub.

Native to: Introduced to Australia.

Established in: TAS.

Other names: Erica, heath, heather.

Best time to act: Erica may flower in winter and spring; where slashing is used, do it before flowering to reduce seed production.

Identification

  • It is a perennial shrub, generally 1.5 to 2 metres tall, though Erica species can occasionally reach 3.5 metres.
  • Look for woody, brittle stems and narrow leaves arranged opposite each other or in whorls of three or four.
  • Flowers may be bell-shaped, tubular or globular, with four lobes.
  • The fruits are capsules containing numerous small seeds, released after flowering as the flowers brown.
  • Look-alike: Native southern Australian heaths can look similar, but those in the subfamily Styphelioideae generally have five petals and stiff leaves arranged alternately rather than opposite or in whorls.

Where it grows

In Tasmania, Erica species occur on degraded pastures, neglected areas and roadsides, and can invade wet and dry forest, grassland and stream-side vegetation, generally where soil has been disturbed.

Why it matters

  • Erica species can reduce pasture productivity and dense infestations in bushland can replace native species.
  • Some Erica species form dense thickets that dominate the understorey and can alter the composition and diversity of native plant communities.
  • Erica is extremely combustible and increases fire hazard risk.

How it spreads

  • It reproduces by seed and stem layering; stems touching moist soil can send down roots, and broken stems or roots can shoot again.
  • Seeds can spread by wind, water, gravity, vehicle draught, slashing and movement of soil or mud.
  • Long-distance spread is generally associated with human activity, including garden planting, commercial cultivation and inadvertent transport of soil containing seeds.

Control options

  • Hand-pull or dig out seedlings and small plants, removing as much of the root system as possible; dispose of material by burning where appropriate or pile it where it cannot layer.
  • Use registered herbicides according to relevant guidance; contact Biosecurity Tasmania for advice.
  • Slashing before flowering can reduce seed production but will not kill plants; do not slash during or soon after flowering because this spreads seed.
  • Do not rely on burning to eradicate Erica, as it is adapted to fire and burning can worsen an infestation; follow-up control is essential.

Hygiene and washdown

  • Clean equipment and personnel using the Washdown Guidelines for Weed and Disease Control to reduce the chance of spreading Erica.
  • Take care to avoid moving soil and mud containing seeds to new locations.
  • 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: Permitted, not declared. Listed as a permitted organism in WA, so it can be brought in, but it is not a declared pest.
  • 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.

  • Tasmania: Biosecurity Act 2019 (Tas), administered by Biosecurity Tasmania

Sources