Red witchweed

• Parasitic plant attached to roots of host, grows 10–40cm above ground.
• Leaves are 6–40mm long, 1–4mm wide, with tapered, pointed tip, arranged in opposite pairs along stem.
• Flowers are 5–20mm long, usually red, sometimes white, yellow or pink.
• Seeds are very small.

• Prefers semi-arid savannas and grasslands, generally in tropics and subtropics, but can persist in warm temperate areas where suitable hosts exist.

• Occurs in 1 population found near Mackay.

• Seeds only germinate in close proximity to roots of suitable host.
• Seeds remain viable in soil for up to 15 years.

Economic

• Affects corn (maize), millet, rice, sugar cane and sorghum.
• Has potential to become serious pest.
• USA has spent more than $250 million on eradication in Carolinas.
• In Africa, heavy infestations can reduce grain crop yields by up to 70%.

• Seeds spread primarily within soil (which can adhere to machinery or vehicles or other contaminated produce such as mulch or seeds).
• Seeds can be a contaminant of imported grain, pasture seeds or organic fertiliser, or present in soil adhering to imported machinery.

• 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.

• Red witchweed 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 red witchweed.
• You must take any action that is reasonably likely to minimise the biosecurity threat posed by red witchweed.
• You must report all sightings to Biosecurity Queensland within 24 hours.