African turnip weed - western (Sisymbrium runcinatum)
African turnip weed (western) is a herb up to 50 cm tall with white or yellow flowers. It can invade crops, pastures and native bushland.
Profile
How does this weed affect you?
African turnip (Western) is mainly a crop weed but it can also invade pastures and natural bushland.
What does it look like?
African turnip weed is an annual herb that grows along the ground. The flower stems can be up to 50 cm tall. There are two varieties of this species, one is hairy and the other is hairless.
Leaves:
- rosette leaves grow at the base of the plant are deeply and jaggedly lobed with tips pointing backwards to the leaf base
- stem leaves grow along upright stems are similar shape but smaller than rosette leaves, decreasing in size further up the stem.
Flowers are:
- white or yellow
- 4-petalled, each up to 3.5 mm long.
Seedpods are:
- up to 35 mm long and 1–2 mm wide
- densely hairy
- attached to the stem on short stalks
- pressed against the stem at the base.
Seeds are:
- elongated
- about 1 mm wide.
Stems are:
- flat along the ground or growing obliquely upwards.
Similar looking plants
African turnip weed looks like other Sisymbrium species. Its most distinctive feature is the small, densely hairy, curved fruits up to 3.5 cm long.
Where is it found?
African turnip weed has limited distribution within NSW but has the potential for further spread. Plants have been found in the Central Tablelands and Hunter region. Most infestations in Australia are in Western Australia.
It is native to south western Europe, the Middle East and northern Africa.
What type of environment does it grow in?
African turnip weed (western) grows in clayey, loamy or sandy soils. It grows:
- in croplands
- in pasture
- in open shrubland and eucalypt woodlands
- and along road verges.
How does it spread?
By seed
African turnip weed (western) reproduces by seed. Seeds are most likely spread by water, via contaminated soil, fodder, vehicles and other equipment. Seeds can spread along roadsides during road works.
References
Auld, B. A. & Medd, R. W. (1987). Weeds: an illustrated botanical guide to the weeds of Australia. Department of Agriculture NSW.
Khodashenas, M., & ASADI, M. (2007). A taxonomic revision of the genus Sisymbrium (Brassicaceae) in Iran. Iran. Journ. Bot. 13 (1): 49-52
CISS (Centre for Invasive Species Solutions). (2020). Weeds Australia Profiles Sisymbrium runcinatum Lag. ex DC. Retreived 2022 from https://profiles.ala.org.au/opus/weeds-australia/profile/Sisymbrium%20runcinatum
More information
Control
Successful weed control relies on follow up after the initial efforts. This means looking for and killing regrowth or new seedlings. Using a combination of control methods is usually more successful.
Hand pulling
Hand pull small seedlings and dig out larger plants. Dispose of any flowering or seeding plants carefully.
Disposal
Contact your local council for advice on how to dispose of this plant.
Chemical control
Spraying in noncrop areas
Provides residual control in summer rainfall areas. Spray bare moist ground. Use higher rates for heavy soils.
Spraying in forestry plantations
Spray weed free soil before or within 4 weeks of transplanting Eucalyptus or Pinus spp. Weeds can also be sprayed at the 4-6 leaf stage.
Herbicide options
WARNING - ALWAYS READ THE LABEL
Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical products must always read the label and any permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or not made in this information. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website www.apvma.gov.au
Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical products must always read the label and any permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or not made in this information. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website www.apvma.gov.au
See Using herbicides for more information.
Oxyfluorfen 240 g/L
(Goal Herbicide)
Rate: 3 to 4 L per ha
Comments: Forestry: pre-emergence application
Withholding period: Do not allow livestock to graze treated weeds.
Herbicide group: 14 (previously group G), Inhibition of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO inhibitors)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Simazine 900 g/kg
(Various products)
Rate: 5 kg per ha or 500 g per 100 L of water
Comments: Non-crop areas. Apply to bare moist ground for seasonal control of germinating weeds.
Withholding period: Not required when used as directed.
Herbicide group: 5 (previously group C), Inhibition of photosynthesis at photosystem II - D1 Serine 264 binders (and other nonhistidine binders) (PS II Serine 264 inhibitors)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Simazine 900 g/kg
(Various products)
Rate: 10 or 24 kg per ha or 1 kg or 2.4 kg per 100 L of water
Comments: Non-crop areas: For long term residual control of weeds in LIGHT SOILS. Apply to moist bare ground. Use lower rate for winter rainfall areas and higher rate for summer rainfall areas.
Withholding period: Not required when used as directed.
Herbicide group: 5 (previously group C), Inhibition of photosynthesis at photosystem II - D1 Serine 264 binders (and other nonhistidine binders) (PS II Serine 264 inhibitors)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Simazine 900 g/kg
(Various products)
Rate: 1.6 to 6.7 kg per ha
Comments: Forestry: pre-emergence application
Withholding period: Not required when used as directed.
Herbicide group: 5 (previously group C), Inhibition of photosynthesis at photosystem II - D1 Serine 264 binders (and other nonhistidine binders) (PS II Serine 264 inhibitors)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Simazine 900 g/kg
(Various products)
Rate: 24 kg or 48 kg per ha; or 2.4 kg or 4.8 kg per 100L of water.
Comments: Non-crop areas: For long term residual control of weeds in HEAVY SOILS. Apply to moist bare ground. Use lower rate for winter rainfall areas and higher rate for summer rainfall areas.
Withholding period: Not required when used as directed.
Herbicide group: 5 (previously group C), Inhibition of photosynthesis at photosystem II - D1 Serine 264 binders (and other nonhistidine binders) (PS II Serine 264 inhibitors)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Biosecurity duty
The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.
| Area | Duty |
|---|---|
| All of NSW | General Biosecurity Duty All pest plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable. |
For technical advice and assistance with identification please contact your local council weeds officer.
Reviewed 2023
