Parkinsonia (Parkinsonia aculeata)
Parkinsonia flowers
Parkinsonia flower image courtesy of Nathan March DPI Qld
Parkinsonia is declared a Class B (growth and spread to be controlled) and Class C (not to be introduced to the Northern Territory) in accordance with the NT Weeds Management Act 2001. Parkinsonia is also a Weed of National Significance.
Parkinsonia is native to southern USA, the Caribbean, and Mexico. It is suggested that Parkinsonia was first introduced into Australia in the late nineteenth century as a shade tree for planting around water bores, dams and homesteads. It is now found in established thickets throughout semi-arid Australia with infestations in Western Australia, the NT, Queensland and northern New South Wales. Parkinsonia is now well established on the Barkly Tableland, Victoria River and Gulf regions and occurs in various densities across most of the NT.
Parkinsonia can form dense, impenetrable thickets, sometimes several kilometres across, making areas of land inaccessible to humans and animals. The thickets can impede mustering activity, restrict stock access to water, displace native plants and animals, alter stream flows and harbour feral animals, particularly pigs.
Parkinsonia tree
Parkinsonia seed pods are buoyant, and are often carried down drainage lines and rivers for long distances. Small seeds can also be spread in mud, sticking to animals or vehicles. Goats and some birds are known to disperse the seed in their waste.
