NOW is the time to stop the spread of invasive wild artichoke.
Northern and Yorke Land­scape Board landscape officer David Hughes said it was important to act now to prevent the spiky weed from setting seed.
“Wild artichoke plants typically have about 16 flower heads and each flower can produce 200 seeds, so it can quickly multiply and invade your land,” he said.
“We encourage landholders to destroy old plants before flowering begins in October or November, to save them from more work down the track.”
Wild artichoke, or Cynara cardunculus, is found mostly on cleared land such as roadsides, creeks and grazing land, and has been spotted on rural and semi-rural properties throughout the region.
It is a spiny, erect plant with a silky green appearance and blue-purple flowers which can reach up to two metres in height.
“Wild artichokes form dense clusters of prickly vegetation that degrade and displace pasture species by shading and drawing moisture and nutrients from the soil, eventually dominating a pasture,” Mr Hughes said.
“The growing and control season for wild artichoke starts in autumn, after first rains, and continues until late spring.”
Applying herbicide to the plant’s entire leaf area is the recommended treatment.
For more information on a targeted control program, call Northern and Yorke Landscape Board’s Clare office on 8841 3400, email ny.landscapeboard@sa.gov.au or visit www.landscape.sa.gov.au/ny.