A few weeks ago a few of the Northern Crag Care team, in partnership with Launceston City Council, started to target Boneseed on the Sunny Side of Cataract Gorge.
Boneseed (Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. monilifera) is a declared weed under the Tasmanian Weed Management Act 1999, and a Weed of National Significance. It is a woody evergreen shrub, growing up to about 2m in height, and can be clearly identified from mid-Spring to early Summer by the clumps of yellow flowers (similar in appearance to daisies).
By targeting the weed while it was in flower, it can be easily spotted along the slopes and cliffs of the Gorge, and pulled before setting seed.
More than 30 large plants and hundreds of suckers were removed. All the seeds and flowers were stripped- preventing the spread of thousands of potential plants. The groups experience in safe rope management was utilised to allow access to the weeds in difficult to reach areas of the gorge.
Launceston Council will soon be employing contractors for larger scale eradication in the Gorge this season, and we are looking forward to working with the council to control this weed and identify any hotspots in the years to come!
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