Karroo thorn

• Shrub or tree up to 12m tall.
• Thorns are white, paired, up to 10cm long.
• Flowers are yellow, ball-shaped, in clusters of 4–6, 1–1.5cm in diameter.
• Bark is rough, red-brown to black.
• Leaves are light-green, fern-like, up to 12cm long, 5cm wide.
• Leaflets are 3.5–8mm by 1–3mm.
• Seed pods are sickle-shaped, woody, slightly constricted between seeds, up to 16cm long, 1cm wide.

• Prefers range of soil types, generally in areas of rangelands in subcoastal, semi-arid and arid southern Queensland.
• Drought-tolerant due to extensive root system.

• Two recorded infestations on the Darling Downs.
• Visit Weeds Australia and click on the distribution tab to access the distribution map.

• Reproduces by seed; large trees produce up to 19,000 seeds per year.
• Seeds can lie in soil for 7 years and still germinate.
• Flowering occurs mostly during summer.

Environmental

• Invades large areas, particularly where land has been overgrazed.
• Resists fire and is well-suited to rangelands and open grasslands.

Economic

• Reduces agricultural productivity by suppressing grass growth.
• Prevents stock movement and can restrict watering.

• Seeds spread by wind and water or in droppings of animals.

• Find out how farmers can prevent weed spread.
• Find out how gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts can prevent weed spread.

• Before undertaking any preventative or control actions, contact our Customer Service Centre.

• Karroo thorn is a prohibited invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
• You must not keep, move, give away, sell or release into the environment. Penalties may apply.
• You must not take any action reasonably likely to exacerbate the biosecurity threat posed by Karroo thorn.
• You must take any action that is reasonably likely to minimise the biosecurity threat posed by Karroo thorn.
• You must report all sightings to Biosecurity Queensland within 24 hours.