Camel thorn is an erect perennial shrub found mostly in pastures and neglected areas.
Camel thorn is a hardy, fast growing shrub that:
Camel thorn is a perennial shrub that grows up to 1.5 m tall. It has stiff, branching stems that are covered in sharp spines. The plants shoot from the roots in spring, grow throughout summer and die off in autumn.
In NSW camel thorn has been found in the North West, Riverina, Murray and Western region. Camel thorn also grows in Victoria and South Australia.
Camel thorn is native to Europe and Asia. It is also a weed in the United States of America and South Africa.
Camel thorn grows in temperate and subtropical regions that have arid to semi-arid conditions. It grows best in alkaline soils and is tolerant of salty soils. In moist subsoils or irrigated sites it produces more leaves and less thorns and it can tolerate some waterlogging. The leaves are damaged by frosts as the plant is intolerant of cold weather.
It grows in pastures, along river banks, drainage lines, irrigated areas and disturbed areas
Plants usually start setting seed when they are one year old. Pods and seeds are spread by wind, water, and through livestock eating the pods and spreading the seeds in their manure. Seeds sprout in spring and have a low survival rate. However, they grow well when deposited in animal manure and germination is more likely if the seed has passed through the gut of livestock. Seeds can remain viable in the soil for at least 3 years.
New plants can develop from rhizomes up to 8 m from the main stem. Plants can also sprout from broken root fragments. Roots fragments can spread by:
Parsons, W.T., & Cuthbertson, E. G. (2001). Noxious weeds of Australia. CSIRO publishing.
Pirasteh-Anosheh, H. (2020). Breaking Seed Dormancy of Camelthorn (Alhagi maurorum) Using Different Treatments and Salinity Tolerance Threshold Level Evaluation at Germination Stage. Iranian Journal of Seed Research, 7(1), 181-192.
PlantNET (The NSW Plant Information Network System). Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney. Retrieved:16 November 2022 from https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Alhagi~maurorum
Richardson, F.J., Richardson, R.G. and Shepherd, R.C.H. (2016) Weeds of the south-east: an identification guide for Australia (3rd Ed). R.G. and F.J. Richardson, Meredith, Australia.
VicFlora (2022). Flora of Victoria, Royal Botanic Garden. Retrieved 16 November 2022 from: https://vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au/flora/taxon/92372e60-1b7f-41c5-ab6f-e0c0ccc583af
Camel thorn can be difficult to control because of its large root system. Plants often re-sprout or sucker from root fragments.
A combination of control methods will give the best results. It is important to consider the plant’s life cycle and repeat treatments are needed in spring and early summer when the plants are actively growing. Control efforts should also be repeated over several years to exhaust the plant’s root systems.
Plants often grow back quickly after cutting. Disturbing roots and the surrounding soil can also encourage plants to sucker and grow. The following methods are not recommended:
Avoid moving soil, vehicles and machinery contaminated with camel thorn roots or seeds. Healthy pasture plants may be able to outcompete camel thorn and prevent invasion.
If possible, prevent livestock from eating the pods and spreading the seeds to new paddocks.
Camel thorn is easier to control and eradicate when infestations are detected early. Learn to identify camel thorn and remove plants as soon as possible to reduce the chance of spread.
Monitor paddocks for new plants if livestock have been grazing on camel thorn.
Seedlings can be hand-pulled or dug out. Remove as much of the root as possible. This method is only practical for small, isolated plants or infestations and works best when soils are moist. Check for regrowth.
Contact your local council for information about disposal.
Spray actively growing plants with leaves present. Cover all of the foliage with the herbicide mix.
Cut the stump close to the ground and apply herbicide to the stump within 15 seconds. If there are pods present dispose of them carefully.
See Using herbicides for more information.
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 10 mL per 1 L water
Comments: Spot spray (smaller plants)
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Picloram 44.7 g/L + Aminopyralid 4.47 g/L
(Vigilant II ®)
Rate: Undiluted
Comments: Cut stump application: Apply a 3–5 mm layer of gel for stems less than 20 mm. Apply 5 mm layer on stems above 20 mm. Stem inject application for trees: Make a series of cuts 15-20 mm deep around the trunk using an axe or saw. Space cuts evenly with no more than a 20-40 mm gap between them. Apply a 5 mm layer of gel over the lower surface of the cut.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
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. |
North West |
Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Prevention)
Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should eradicate the plant from the land and keep the land free of the plant. A person should not deal with the plant, where dealings include but are not limited to buying, selling, growing, moving, carrying or releasing the plant. Notify local control authority if found. |
*To see the Regional Strategic Weeds Management Plans containing demonstrated outcomes that fulfil the general biosecurity duty for this weed click here |
Reviewed 2023