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Telegraph weed (Heterotheca grandiflora)

In Australia, telegraph weed can grow quickly and form dense infestations that outcompete native plants, especially in coastal dunes. It can also reduce the visual appeal of beaches.

Key facts

Type: Weed, herb.

Native to: South-western United States and northern Mexico.

Established in: QLD, NSW.

Other names: stinky daisy, sticky daisy, golden aster.

Best time to act: Look for flowerheads mostly in late summer, and treat actively growing plants before they flower.

Identification

  • This annual or biennial herb usually grows 50 to 100 cm tall, but stems can reach 2 m.
  • It starts as a rosette and then produces one or more upright, thick, hairy and sticky stems, branched towards the top.
  • Leaves are oval to oblong, relatively thick, irregularly toothed and hairy on both sides; crushed leaves smell like camphor.
  • Yellow, daisy-like flowerheads have 25 to 35 petals and are 1.5 to 2.5 cm across; they are mostly present in late summer.
  • Seeds are 2 to 5 mm long and may have a pappus, a ring of hairs 4 to 7 mm long.
  • Look-alike: Stinkwort (Dittrichia graveolens) is shorter, growing up to 1 m, and has only 10 to 12 petals per flower.

Where it grows

In NSW, telegraph weed is found mainly in the Hunter region, especially around Raymond Terrace and Newcastle, with one recorded plant in the North Coast region; in NSW and south-east Queensland it grows in coastal dunes, pastures and disturbed sites such as roadsides.

Why it matters

  • Dense infestations can outcompete native plants, especially in coastal dunes.
  • The weed can reduce the visual appeal of beaches.

How it spreads

  • Flowerheads can produce up to 130 seeds each.
  • Seeds spread by wind and water, and can attach to animals, clothing and beach towels.
  • Machinery can also spread the seeds.

Control options

  • Seedlings have shallow roots and can be hand pulled; larger plants may need to be dug out as they develop fibrous roots.
  • Hand pulling and digging disturb the soil and can stimulate seed germination, so check for seedlings afterwards and remove them before they produce seeds.
  • Contact your local council for advice on disposal.

Hygiene and washdown

  • Seeds can attach to clothing and beach towels or be spread by machinery, so check these items after working in infested 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: 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: Regional priority in 1 of 11 regions. Regional priority weed in Hunter. 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: 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

Sources