The following extract is from recent items published in the Hout Bay press.

Alien Vegetation Control in Hout Bay.  by Dave Cowley - Sentinel 99/08/19

Residents will be glad to see that Hout Bay's "Weed Farm", on the corner of Main Road and Disa River Road, has at long last been cleared for the time being, an expensive and difficult process.

We congratulate the owner of the property for his or her action which  will prevent the the further distribution of seed to other areas for the time being.
Residents will recall that  the site was cleared a couple of years ago but were probably amazed at the  rapid rate at which the weeds re-generated to the point of seeding. The fact is that the seed load will remain for many years and sadly the process will have to be repeated at further expense to the unfortunate owner.

What sort of weeds were they?
In the main they were of the type declared "Noxious" by law and subject to severe penalties if not removed. In general noxious weeds are dangerous in terms of their destructive effects on farmlands rendering whole crops useless because of their toxic effect on cattle or crops, but like some of Hout Bays weeds they represent a severe danger to riverine courses and our indigenous flora.  The major weeds concerned were Albizia Lopantha (Stink bean), Lantana Camara (Comon Lantana), Solarnum Mauritainum (Bugweed).

Stinkbean (height 5m), an Australian Accacia, was introduced into a private garden in Cape Town in 1833 and rapidly spread in the Western Cape. It is fast establishing itself in Hout Bay along the river and on the slopes and ravines of Chapmans Peak. Often confused with its cousin Black Wattle  (which is an "Invasive weed" as opposed to a noxious weed) it is however easier to control as it does not readily coppice if cut close to the ground.

Common Lantana  (height 1-4m) from tropical America is considered one of the worlds 10 worst weeds. It has close relatives, which are not considered weeds, which are sold in nurseries but which hybridise with L.Camara and thus cause problems in developing Bio control agents. It is very difficult and painful process to control by hand which makes it an expensive guest. The small berries are easily and widely distributed by brids making large areas vulnerable.

Bugweed (height: 3m) is a nasty piece of work. It has a large ovate leaf with a lighter velvet sheen on the underside. Thought to be a native of tropical Asia it grows rapidly and shades out other plants. Its seeds are poisonous to man and animals but not to birds which spread them via their yellow fruit rapidly. Bugweed hosts plant nematodes which invade othe plants it also sheds minute hairs when disturbed which can cause respiratory problems so tacle this on with care! Fortunately cutting will usually not cause regrowth and leaf appried herbicides seem to be effective.

What is the moral to the story?
Grow locally indigenous plants and trees in your garden, they are "waterwise" and will attract birdlife. Dont allow weeds to accumulate on your property. The new Peninsula National Park are committed to removing aliens from their land and will demand that local autorities take steps to prevent the generation of noxious and invasive weeds in surrounding areas. Pressure will be placed on landowners.

Warning to neighbours
There are many properties, around the site which has just been cleared, with infestations that are out of control - if you are an owner act now before you are faced with a 30yr seed load or the severe penalties which are on the horizon.

D.C.

99/06/26