Ability to Respond Total:13 / 25Ability to Respond = ( Ease of Response + Tools in Place )
Confidence:High
Confidence Notes:
Impact
Spread
Notes
Score
Spread Rate
Spreads aggressively in Southern California in the few locations where it is known. New populations have been found miles from original infestations. Found throughout the southern half of Australia
5
Spread Amount
This species has broad habitat requirements, and is found throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East, and is invasive in large parts of Australia. Infestations were recently discovered in Southern California in 2007, has spread to 7 sites and in Mexico
5
Damage
Notes
Score
Ecological
Can form dense stands, crowding out native vegetation. Disperses easily to new sites, forming new infestations. Infests a wide variety of habitat types.
5
Agricultural
Ward's weed is a problem weed in crops and rangelands in Australia and is unpalatable to some livestock and taints milk and meat of livestock as well. Loss of productivity and yields.
4
Infrastructure
0
Cultural
0
Health
0
Benefit
Notes
Score
Ecological
0
Agricultural
0
Infrastructure
0
Cultural
0
Health
0
Total
19
Ability to Respond
Ease of Response
Notes
Score
Detection
Difficult to detect, it is hard to find because of its small stature and is relatively unassuming except when in flower and fruit, where distinct fruits help to ease identification. Need to be close to find plants.
1
Control
Difficult to keep populations from spreading. Difficult to control, Australians have had difficulty controlling this species as well. It is a prolific seed producer, a few missed individuals can sustain populations.
1
Tools in Place
Notes
Score
Entry
A-rated pest, but seeds are difficult to detect.
4
Control
A-rated pest
5
Outreach
Minor to moderate outreach in place where infestations occur. New populations are discovered every few years, making it difficult to direct outreach to audiences.
