The Dirtiest Dozen

Twelve of the worst weeds at Whangarei Heads

Invasive weeds are a growing threat to the Heads. New Zealand has a huge list of exotic plant species that have escaped into the wild and at least 400 are regarded as serious environmental pests. These are the ones that can invade, transform and destroy native ecosystems. More and more of these are cropping up and spreading on the Whangarei Heads peninsula.

With so many weedy species, how do you decide what to tackle first? For us out at the Heads we have the  DIRTY DOZEN. These are 12 invasive weed species that we are really focused on, because of the damage they can do, and because we know that working together and strategically we can make a real difference in stopping the spread  of these weeds on our peninsula.

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Take action against the Dirty Dozen in your neighbourhood!

The dirty dozen aren’t the only weeds we are concerned about on the Heads. You can search our database or browse alphabetically for other weeds on the Whangarei Heads peninsula.

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We are embarking on a 5 year mission to minimise moth plant across the Whangārei Heads area. By participating in this knock down effort, you can help make this invasive …

Ligustrum lucidum Just want to know how to kill it? Skip to control methods Also known as Japanese privet, broadleaf privet What does it look like? A small to large …

Prunus campanulata Also known as Bell-flowered cherry, Formosan cherry What does it look like? Taiwan cherry is a deciduous tree growing up to 8 m high. Leaves are serrated, thin …

Elaeagnus x reflexa Just want to know how to kill it?Skip to control methods Also known as Elaeagnus hybrid, Elaeagnus pungens, Elaeagnus glabra, Elaeagnus ‘variegata’ What does it look like? …

Cotoneaster

Cotoneaster glaucophyllus Just want to know how to kill it? Skip to control methods What does it look like? An arching, spreading, evergreen shrub usually less than 3m tall but …

Chinese Privet

Ligustrum sinense Just want to know how to kill it? Skip to control methods Also known as hedge privet, small-leaved privet What does it look like? Shrub or small tree …

Wild Ginger

Hedychium gardnerianum Just want to know how to kill it? Skip to control methods Also known as kahili ginger, ginger lily What does it look like? Non-woody perennial with soft …

Tradescantia

Tradescantia fluminensis Just want to know how to kill it? Skip to control methods Also known as Wandering willie What does it look like? Creeping and mat-forming perennial groundcover with …

Moth Plant

Araujia hortorum Just want to know how to kill it? Skip to control methods Also known as Cruel Plant, Kapok Vine, moth vine, milk vine, milk weed, wild choko vine, …

Jasmine - photo courtesy of Weed Busters

Jasminum polyanthum Just want to know how to kill it? Skip to control methods What does it look like? This is an evergreen climbing vine that grows up to mid-canopy …

Climbing Asparagus Photo courtesy of Weed Busters

Asparagus scandens Just want to know how to kill it? Skip to control methods Also known as Asparagus fern What does it look like? Scrambling & climbing plant. Long green, …

Solanum mauritianum Just want to know how to kill it? Skip to control methods Also known as Tobacco weed, kerosene plant, flannel-leaf, Solanum auriculatum This ugly, itchy invader made our …

Join the fight!

No action is too small – check your own backyard and let those weeds know they aren’t welcome there, or anywhere in else on the Whangarei Heads peninsula!