Download Paterson`s Curse Fact Sheet

ACT Weeds Fact Sheet
Paterson’s curse
(Echium plantagineum)
Family: Echium
Origin
The weed is a native of the Mediterranean, Europe and North Africa.
Reason for Introduction
It was introduced as an ornamental garden plant in the 1850s in Victoria, but quickly became naturalised,
especially in pastoral regions.
Main Method of Dispersal
The main method of dispersal of Patersonʼs curse is by seed movement in hay and grain, as viable
seed in animal faeces, on machinery and vehicles and can also be carried on the coats of native and
domestic animals.
Main Method of Reproduction
Reproduction is from seed. Patersonʼs curse is a winter annual or occasionally biennial herb which grows
vegetatively as a rosette before producing one or several flowering stems in spring. Most seed germination
occurs between mid summer and late autumn, although it may also occur at any other time of the year.
Flowering stems are produced in late winter/early spring and flowers and seed are produced from spring to
early autumn.
Description
Patersonʼs curse is an erect herb, commonly 60 cm high, but it can grow up to 150 cm. Rosettes have
green to light-green hairy egg-shaped leaves that may grow to 30 cm long. The rosettes are stalked and
have distinct branched veins. Stems are branched, with multiple stems often arising from the plant base.
All stems are covered with stiff hairs. Flowers are mostly purple, but white, pink and blue flowering
plants are sometimes found. The 2-3 cm long flowers are shaped like curved trumpets with each flower
having five stamens, two of which protrude past the end of the flower tube. Flowers generally appear from
September to December. Seeds are dark brown to grey and have a roughened seed coat. Up to four seeds
develop from each flower. The plant has a stout taproot with numerous lateral roots.
Distribution in the Region
Patersonʼs curse is now widespread in its distribution throughout the ACT. It tends to be more dominant in
areas of the ACT where horse agistment enterprises are operating and also in areas where soil disturbance
has occurred during construction works on former grazing land.
Further Information
Phone Canberra Connect on: 13 22 81
www.weeds.org.au
Invasive Record Elsewhere
Patersonʼs curse also occurs in all states and territories in Australia. The most serious infestations occur in
pastoral regions of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and in the south-west region of Western
Australia.
Detrimental Effects
Patersonʼs curse is toxic to grazing animals. The plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which causes
cumulative chronic liver damage, lack of condition and sometimes death. The alkaloid concentration of
plants in the rosette stage is twice that of flowering plants. Horses and pigs are highly susceptible, cattle
moderately susceptible and sheep and goats less susceptible. Horses and pigs are non-ruminants and do
not have the necessary micro-organisms to break down the pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
Patersonʼs curse reduces pasture productivity and can out-compete the more nutritious and palatable
pasture plants. The weed can degrade the natural environment and compromise habitat values by
crowding out and suppressing native vegetation. It can contaminate hay and grain. It can also affect
human health and can result in allergies from pollen and skin irritation from the rough hairy texture of the
leaves and stems.
Other Comments
Patersonʼs curse is considered a beneficial plant by some farmers. In the drier regions of southern
Australia, it is considered the salvation of grazing, thus the name ʻSalvation Janeʼ because it is often the
only source of feed (despite being toxic). Patersonʼs curse is also valuable to the honey industry. Whilst
flowering, it provides a large amount of pollen necessary to build up bee numbers in a short amount of
time and a high level of nectar, which provides an early flow of honey.
Control Methods
Patersonʼs curse needs to be controlled using an integrated approach in order to prevent seed set and
reduce the population in the long term. Integrated weed management involves using a number of control
methods including establishment and maintaining competitive pastures and crops, use of a range of
selective herbicides, spray grazing using sub-lethal herbicide rates and grazing management, slashing and
mechanical/hand removal.
Control in the ACT
Infestations of Patersonʼs curse in the ACT are usually controlled by selective herbicide application,
slashing and hand chipping. Whilst cropping and pasture establishment programs offer sound long term
benefits, establishment costs can be quite considerable.
References
Recommendations on Weed Species; Towards Ecologically Sound Australian Landscapes (TESAL) 1991.
An Environmental Weed Survey of the A.C.T; Berry & Mulvaney 1995.
NSW DPI Primefacts August 200.
Patersonʼs Curse – Management. Landcare Notes, October 2004. Ian Faithfull and David McLaren (DPI
Frankston, Victoria)
The Patersonʼs Curse Management Handbook, Department of Natural Resources and Environmernt, Tom
Morely and Peter Stapleton, 1999.