Re: Problems with introduced species (was Sabor tree?)
John Atkinson wrote:
>
>
> >This species is vey popular in NZ,
>
> The coral tree has also been very popular here in Australia as a large
> ornamental shade tree, (the species name I've seen is Erythrina x sykesii,
> but the description sounds identical). However it has proved to be a
> significant invader of our subtropical rainforest. It's now declared a
> noxious weed in New South Wales at least, and people are strongly encouraged
> to get rid of them.
>
Hi John.
The world is alas littered with both plant and animal introductions
which have "gone sour".
A large part of the trouble with exotic plants in NZ seems to be with
the more warm-climate species growing around Auckland and northwards,
thoough Erythrina is apparently not among them.
In the Wellington area the worst would probably be Clematis vitalba (Old
Man's Beard) from England which invades the bush and smothers everything
in its path.
We are currently having a real blitz throughout the country on serious
weeds of this sort and quite a few nurserymen have promised no longer to
sell any of the proscribed species (and have prominent notices up to
this effect). However, as many have been popular garden plants for a
very long time, the spread from old gardens is likely to continue for
many years to come.
Moira
-
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata, New Zealand. (on the "Ring of Fire" in the SW Pacific).
Lat. 41:16S Long. 174:58E. Climate: Mediterranean/Temperate
