Red ludwigia is a creeping aquatic plant with red stems. It can dominate waterways and outcompete native plants.
Red ludwigia can form dense infestations that can:
Red ludwigia is a perennial water weed. It has branched stems that spread over banks of waterways and can float in the water.
Red Ludwigia looks similar to:
This weed has been found growing along the Lane Cove River in Sydney and on the North Coast of NSW.
It is native to the USA, Mexico and the Caribbean.
Red ludwigia grows in shallow water and along the edges of waterways. It grows best in slightly acidic waters and prefers 19-28°C.
Red ludwigia is an ornamental pond and aquarium plant that could be spread by people dumping plants near waterways
Seeds can be spread by moving water including flood water and in contaminated mud that can attach to animals (especially water birds), clothing footwear or machinery.
New plants can grow from stem fragments, which can be moved by moved by water, boats or machinery.
Champion, P.D., Burnett, D.A. and Petroeschevsky, A. (2008). Risk assessment of tradeable aquatic plant species in Australia. Prepared for NSW Department of Primary Industries. National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, O’Connor, Western Australia.
PlantNET (The NSW Plant Information Network System). Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney. Retrieved 16 June 2021 from: https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Ludwigia~repens
Technigro (2012). Weed Watch, Your alert to new and emerging threats: Red Ludwigia (Ludwigia repens) Retrieved 18 July 2021 from: http://www.technigro.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/45-Red-Ludwigia.pdf
Uddin, M. E., Islam, A. M. T., Chowdhury, M. A. U., Rahman, M. K., Islam, M. S., & Islam, M. R. (2012). Sedative and analgesic activities of Ludwigia repens. Phytopharmacology, 2(2), 202-211.
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.
Never dump aquatic plants in waterways.
To help prevent the spread of red ludwigia when fishing or using waterways for other recreational activities:
Pull out individual plants or small infestations by hand. Make sure that no stem or root parts remain. Dispose of all the plant parts.
Contact your local council for advice on how to dispose of this weed.
Spot spray actively growing plants. Only herbicide products that have label approvals in place for aquatic use can be used in aquatic situations.
See Using herbicides for more information.
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Only products registered for aquatic use)
Rate: One part product to 50 parts water
Comments: Spot spray
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: M, Inhibitors of EPSP synthase
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Only products registered for aquatic use)
Rate: One part product to 9 parts water
Comments: Splatter gun
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: M, Inhibitors of EPSP synthase
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. |
Reviewed 2021