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About
About
Paterson's curse (Echium plantagineum) is an erect annual herb with purple flowers, commonly found along roadsides, degraded farmland, and disturbed areas. It can reach up to 120 cm high, with several erect stems arising from a stout taproot and a distinctive, large rosette of leaves at the base.
Seeds are dispersed by machinery, contaminated garden refuse, soil movement, and water runoff. Germination generally occurs from autumn to winter, with purple flowers appearing from spring to summer.
Paterson's curse contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can accumulate in the livers of livestock, leading to toxicity and potentially death. Pigs and horses are particularly sensitive.
Manual removal can be effective if the entire taproot is extracted intact. However, due to its extensive seed bank and variable life cycle, a combination of control methods, including biological control agents and herbicide application, may be necessary for effective management.
Management calendar
Management calendar
Control options
Control options
Chemical
Chemical
Due to legal requirements, PHBG cannot recommend specific herbicides. Please click the links below for specific chemical control options for this weed.
Physical
Physical
Isolated plants can be removed manually. Make sure that the majority of the taproot is also removed. If the plant is flowering or seeding it should be burnt to reduce spread.
Wethers and rams can be used to heavily graze the weed over spring to reduce seed production.
Biological
Biological
Several biological control agents have been introduced to manage Paterson's curse, targeting different growth stages.
Crown weevil (Mogulones larvatus): The most effective agent, its larvae feed within the plant’s crown and roots, reducing size, vigour, and density. It took around 12 years to establish in WA.
Leaf-mining moth (Dialectica scalariella): Larvae mine the leaves but have had minimal impact.
Root weevil (Mogulones geographicus): Larvae damage roots, aiding control.
Other agents: Stem-boring beetle (Phytoecia coerulescens) and flea beetles (Longitarsus aeneus, L. echii) contribute varying levels of control.
The effectiveness of these biocontrol agents varies, with the crown weevil causing the most significant damage to Paterson's curse populations. However, biological control is a long-term strategy, and it may take many years for these agents to substantially reduce the weed's prevalence. Integrating biological control with other management practices, such as herbicide application and grazing management, can enhance overall control efforts.
Report a Paterson's curse hotspot
Report a Paterson's curse hotspot
With your help, the PHBG can identify locations of declared weed infestations. We want to know about infestations that concern or affect you. Click the green button below to open the reporting form in a separate tab.
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