Cha-om is a prickly shrub with fern-like leaves that smell foul when crushed. It can form dense thickets and outcompetes native plants.
Cha-om is an invasive shrub that:
Cha-om is a prickly shrub up to 5 m tall. It can climb like a vine if there are other plants or structures, such as fences, nearby to support it.
The leaves are fern-like and divided into 17-28 primary leaflets each 3-10 cm long. These are further divided into many pairs of secondary leaflets which are:
Cha-om looks like:
Plants have been found in food gardens on the North Coast.
In Queensland it has been found in disturbed areas, often near rainforests.
Cha-om is native to Myanmar, Indonesia, southern China and India.
Cha-om grows in tropical and sub tropic climates. It is often found on disturbed sites near rainforests.
Cha-om plants can produce seeds within a year. Pods are eaten by cattle and seeds are spread in their dung. Seeds could also be spread by moving water.
Cha-om reproduces via stem fragments and where branches come in contact with the ground.
Stem fragments can be spread by moving water.
Hassan, R. A., & Hamdy, R. S. (2021). Synoptic Overview of Exotic Acacia, Senegalia and Vachellia (Caesalpinioideae, Mimosoid Clade, Fabaceae) in Egypt. Plants, 10(7), 1344.
Maslin, B. R. (2012). New combinations in Senegalia (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae) for Australia. Nuytsia, 22(6), 465-468.
Maslin, B. R., Ho, B. C., Sun, H., & Bai, L. (2019). Revision of Senegalia in China, and notes on introduced species of Acacia, Acaciella, Senegalia and Vachellia (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae). Plant diversity, 41(6), 353-480.
Queensland (N.D.) Prohibited invasive plant: Cha-om. Retrieved from November 2022 from: https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/1396472/cha-om.pdf
Queensland Government. (2018). Cha-om alert Retrieved 09 July 2021 from: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/land-management/health-pests-weeds-diseases/weeds-diseases/invasive-plants/prohibited/cha-om
If you suspect you have seen Cha-om call your local council weeds officer for help with identification and control.
Wear personal protective equipment when controlling cha-om including gloves to protect from the spines.
Individual smaller plants can be dug out by hand.
Cut the stump and apply herbicide to the remaining stump within 15 seconds. To reach the stump branches may need to be cut away to get access to the stump and avoid injury.
See Using herbicides for more information.
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.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: I, Disruptors of plant cell growth (synthetic auxins)
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 Coast |
Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Eradication)
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 2022