Download Sand Rocket - Diplotaxis Tenuifolia

ED/11/26090
T.I.P.S.
Targeted Invasive Plant Species
Family: Brassicaceae
Other Names: Sand Mustard, Sand Rocket
Legal Status
Distribution
Only one occurrence of Sand Rocket was found on a
roadside in the Shire
Identification
Flowers: It displays small bright yellow flowers on short
flowering stems from October to February. Each has
only four petals, spread out in the shape of a Maltese
cross.
Stems: Hairless stems and leaves from 20-80 cm high.
Leaves: The leaves are lance shaped, up to 15 cm long
with irregular lobes. They are mainly confined to the
lower parts of the stems and rosette. With a foul smell
when crushed.
Fruit: The fruit is a pod from one to four cm long by five
mm diameter with a small beak-shaped end, the seeds
are arranged in two rows. The part nearest the stem
opens first, shedding seed.
Fruit: A long tap root which utilises water from deep
underground
Germination: Seeds germinate in autumn and make
slow growth through winter. In the spring they grow more
rapidly, flowering in October. In autumn the top growth
dies back until next spring.
Ecological Characteristics
Habitat: Warm-temperate regions, preferring porous
calcareous soils, may be found in limestone. It is a weed
of neglected areas, roadsides, railway easements and
pastures Sand rocket invades dry coastal vegetation,
lowland grassland and grassy woodland, riparian vegetation and rock outcrop vegetation.
Dispersal: Sand Rocket is spread mainly by seeds,
although cultivation may break off root fragments, which
if large enough, can regenerate to produce new plants.
The Seeds can be dispersed on or through
the digestive system of birds, wildlife, and livestock.
Seeds can also be spread in mud caught in tire
tread or undercarriages of vehicles or machinery.
Sand Rocket . Diplotaxis tenuifolia
At this stage Sand Rocket isn’t a declared noxious weed
in NSW. Though every attempt should be made to rid
properties of this weed.
Impacts
Biocontrol
Economic:
Unknown
Sand Rocket is said to be poisonous but stock genFurther Reading
erally ignore it except at flowering, due to its
 www.dip.vic.gov.au
marked "foxy" odour. If eaten as hay, it will taint
 www.agric.wa.gov.au
milk and meat. Toxicity is unknown.
 www.pir.sa.gov.au
Effects: It strongly competes with crops and use-
Further Information
ful pasture plants and the wiry stems make hay cut- Contact Council’s Vegetation Management Office on
ting difficult.
02 6451 1180
Ecological: Infestations can decrease forage for
wildlife and decrease local plant biodiversity.
Sand Rocket . Diplotaxis tenuifolia
Prevention
 Maintain a dense, grassy pasture.
 Manage activities such as grazing, road
construction and maintenance, and harvesting
appropriately to maintain or establish healthy,
competitive plant communities that are resistant
to invasion by invasive plants.
 Monitor treated sites for several years to facilitate
early detection of new plants emerging from the
seed bank or portions of remaining roots.
 Clean equipment, vehicles, animals, and clothing
before leaving infested areas.
 Mechanical Control
 Pulling may be an effective control method for
small infestations
 Pulling or digging should be performed before
seeds mature and while soil is moist. If seeds are
mature, cut and bag seed heads prior to mechanical control.
 Ploughing/harrowing and seeding with grass species appears to be effective for large infestations
Chemical Control
There is currently no known herbicide registered for Sand Rocket in NSW.