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| Patterson's Curse | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||
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| Binomial name | ||||||||||||
| Echium plantagineum |
Patterson's Curse or Paterson's Curse (Echium plantagineum) is an invasive annual plant native to the area surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, but best known in AustraliaAustralia is the sixth-largest country in the world (geographically), the only one to occupy an entire continent, and the largest in the region of Australasia. Australia includes the island of Tasmania, which is an Australian State. Its neighbouring count, where it is also known as Salvation Jane (particularly in South AustraliaSouth Australia State flag ( In detail) Coat of Arms ( In detail) Capital Adelaide Governor HE Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Premier Mike Rann Area — Land — Marine — Total 983 482 km˛ 60 032 km˛ 1 043 514 km˛ Population (2002) Density 1 522 500 1. 55/km˛ Time z). Other names are Blueweed, Lady Campbell Weed or Riverina Bluebell.
In the 1880sEvents and Trends About 300 000 Swedes emigrate to the United States. First Boer War First commercial production and sales of phonographs and phonograph recordings. First steel frame construction "sky-scrapers" The New Imperialism Science and technology J it was introduced to Australia, probably both as an accidental contaminate of pasture seed and as an ornamental plant. It is said that the name derives from the bitter experience of the Paterson or Patterson family, early settlers of the country near Albury. They had the first seeds brought from Europe to beautify their garden, and then could only watch helplessly as the weed infested previously productive pastures for many miles around.
Patterson's Curse is now a dominant pasture weed through much of New South WalesNew South Wales NSW is Australia's most populous and oldest state, located in the southeast, north of Victoria. It was founded in 1788 and originally comprised much of the Australian mainland. During the 19th century large areas were successively separate, the Australian Capital TerritoryAustralian Capital Territory ACT , chiefly the site of Canberra (population 309,500 as at 16/10/2004), Australia's capital city, is situated between the country's two largest and rival cities, Melbourne and Sydney. Description The ACT is wholly surrounded, VictoriaVictoria State flag ( In detail) Coat of Arms ( In detail) Capital Melbourne Governor HE Mr John Landy Premier Steve Bracks Area — Land — Marine — Total 227 416 km˛ 10 213 km˛ 237 629 km˛ Population (2004) Density 5,012,300 22/km˛ Time zone UTC+10 (except, South AustraliaSouth Australia State flag ( In detail) Coat of Arms ( In detail) Capital Adelaide Governor HE Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Premier Mike Rann Area — Land — Marine — Total 983 482 km˛ 60 032 km˛ 1 043 514 km˛ Population (2002) Density 1 522 500 1. 55/km˛ Time z and Tasmania and also infests native grasslands, heathlands and woodlands. The plants contain alkaloids and, when eaten in large quantities, cause reduced livestock weight or even (in severe cases) death.
Patterson's Curse has positive uses — it is the source for a particularly fine grade of honey (although some say that Patterson's Curse honey may be poisonous, especially after drought [1]) and, with proper handling, is used for cattle (though not sheep) feed in northern South Australia. However, the annual cost in control measures and lost production was estimated (in a 1985 study by the Industries Assistance Commission) to be over $30 million, compared to $2 million per year in benefits.
The plant has hairy, dark green, broadly oval rosette leaves to 30cm long. The several seeding stems grow to 120cm in height and develop branches with age. Flowers develop in clusters; they are purple, tubular and 2-3 cm long with 5 petals. It has a fleshy taproot with smaller laterals.
Although generally a spring-flowering annual, Patterson's Curse is highly adaptable and, given suitable rainfall, some plants germinate out-of-season and endure for longer than one year. It is a very prolific seed producer; heavy infestations can yield up to 30,000 seeds per square metre. Patterson's Curse can germinate under a wide variety of temperature conditions, tolerates dry periods well and responds vigorously to fertiliser. If cut by a lawnmower, it quickly recovers and sends out new shoots and flowers.
The plant disperses by movement of seeds — on the wool or fur of animals, the alimentary tracts of grazing animals or birds, movement in water and most importantly as a contaminant of hay or grain. This is most noticeable in times of drought, when there is considerable movement of fodder and livestock.
It can rapidly establish a large population on disturbed ground and competes vigorously with both smaller plants and the seedlings of regenerating overstorey species. Its spread has been greatly aided by human-induced habitat degradation, particularly the removal of perennial grasses through overgrazing by sheep and cattle and the introduction of the rabbit. Patterson's Curse is rarely able to establish itself in habitats where the native vegetation is healthy and undisturbed.
Patterson's Curse infesting the Warrumbungle National Park in New South Wales.
In general, Patterson's Curse does not pose a significant problem in healthy, undisturbed habitat: this area can be presumed to have been degraded by overgrazing, by livestock, rabbits, or both.
Control of the plant is carried out by hand (for small infestations) or with any of a variety of herbicides, and must be continued over many years to reduce the seedbank. (Most seeds germinate in the first year, but some survive for as long as five years before germinating.) In the longer term, perennial grasses (which do not need to regenerate from seed each year) can out-compete Patterson's Curse, and any increase in perennial cover produces a direct decrease in Patterson's Curse.
The CSIRO has investigated numerous biological control measures, and of the 100-odd insects found feeding on Patterson's Curse in the Mediterranean, judged six safe to release in Australia without endangering crops or native plants. The weevils Mogulones larvatus and Mogulones geographicus and the flea beetle Longitarsus echii are currently in use by the New South Wales Department of Agriculture. While the CSIRO is modestly optimistic, it is expected that biological control measures, if they are successful at all, will take decades to be effective.
Three other Echium species have been introduced and are of concern; Viper's Bugloss (Echium vulgare) is the most common of them. Viper's Bugloss is biennial, with a single unbranched flowering stem and smaller, more blue flowers, but is otherwise similar. This species is also useful for honey production.
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