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Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

Home > Invasive Species > Weeds > Parthenium Weed

Parthenium Weed

(Parthenium hysterophorus)

Status of parthenium weed in Tasmania

  • Parthenium weed is a declared weed in Tasmania under the Tasmanian Weed Management Act 1999. The importation, sale and distribution of parthenium weed are prohibited in Tasmania.
  • Parthenium weed is also a Weed of National Significance (WONS).
  • The legal responsibilities of landholders and other stakeholders in dealing with parthenium weed are laid out in the parthenium weed Statutory Weed Management Plan.



What does parthenium weed look like?

  • Parthenium weed is a branching, annual herb growing to 2 metres in height. The leaves are lobed and hairy. The flower heads are white and about 4 mm across, and are borne on branches arising from the leaf forks.
  • Parthenium weed spreads by seed. Seed is spread in water, on machinery and vehicles, by stock and feral animals, and in stock fodder, grain and feed.
  • See the WONS website for more information on identifying this weed.
Pathenium, photo: Hugh WilsonPathenium, photo: Hugh Wilson
Parthenium image top right: C.T. Bryson
Parthenium images above: Hugh Wilson


Impacts of parthenium weed

  • Parthenium weed is a serious weed of pasture and cropping land. It is a threat to the biodiversity of native grasslands. It also causes severe allergic reactions in some people, including dermatitis, hay fever and asthma. It is toxic to cattle and can taint meat.



Where does parthenium weed occur?

  • Parthenium weed is a native of sub-tropical North and South America. In Australia, parthenium weed has naturalised in Queensland, New South Wales and the Northern Territory.
  • Parthenium weed does not occur in Tasmania.



What you need to do

If you locate parthenium weed anywhere in Tasmania, or if you find a plant that you think could be parthenium weed, immediately contact your Regional Weed Management Officer on 1300 368 550 to report this weed.
Pathenium, photo: C. T. Bryson


See also
Weed Links and Resources

Other useful links
Pest GenieYou are now leaving our site. DPIPWE is not responsible for the content of the web site to which you are going. The link does not constitute any form of endorsement
APVMAYou are now leaving our site. DPIPWE is not responsible for the content of the web site to which you are going. The link does not constitute any form of endorsement
Weeds in Australia - Weed Management Guide


    Important Disclaimer
    To the extent permitted by law, the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (including its employees and consultants) excludes all liability to any person for any consequences, including but not limited to all losses, damages, costs, expenses and any other compensation, arising directly or indirectly from using information or material (in part or in whole) contained on this website.
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