Can you spot the pest in this photo? Report it

It has a romantic name, but bridal veil needs to be divorced from our region as soon as possible, the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board says.

The invasive pest plant has been spotted in the Mallee east and southeast of Tailem Bend, around Sherlock, Coomandook and Yumali.

However, birds can carry its berries up to 20 kilometres in any direction, meaning it could pop up all over the place.

Senior district officer Steve Baltussen advised landowners to beware of the South African vine, sometimes used as a garden plant or wedding decoration.

Bridal veil shoots would already have emerged by this time of year, he said.

Greenish-white flowers would follow in about August; and small, pale green berries would appear in August or September.

Bridal veil was capable of smothering native vegetation, and particularly native lilies and orchids, with its dense growth and matted, tuberous roots, he said.

It was hard to get rid of it without manually digging it up.

“It’s important to detect and manage small infestations early on to prevent further spread and impact,” he said.

“Follow-up will be needed for some years to come in the infested areas.

“Ultimately the aim is to eradicate this weed from the region.”

• Report an infestation: 8532 9100.
• More information: landscape.sa.gov.au.

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