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About the key to the weed species of New Zealand

Species list

Nomenclature used in the weeds key follows the most currently accepted names and taxonomic treatments. These names match those accepted in the Landcare Research Ngā Tipu o Aotearoa – New Zealand Plants databases.

  • Table 1 : Full list of National Pest Plant Accord (NPPA) species in the key, notes and comparisons with the 2012 NPPA manual, and close relatives and similar species.
  • Table 2 : Partial list of Environmental Weeds in the key, where the names differ from Howell (2008) .

Table 1: Full list of NPPA species in the key, notes and comparisons with the 2012 NPPA manual, and close relatives and similar species.

NPPA species used in key Notes and comparisons with 2012 NPPA manual Close relatives Similar species
Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle     Juglans ailantifolia Carrière
Akebia quinata (Houtt.) Decne.      
Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb.   Alternanthera denticulata R.Br.
Alternanthera reineckii Briq.
Alternanthera nahui Heenan & de Lange
Ludwigia peploides subsp. montevidensis (Spreng.) P.H.Raven
Anredera cordifolia (Ten.) Steenis subsp. cordifolia     Senecio angulatus L.f.
Araujia hortorum E.Fourn      
Aristea ecklonii Baker     Libertia sessiliflora (syn. L. caerulescens Kunth & Bouché)
Arundo donax L.     Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.
Pleioblastus chino (Franch. & Sav.) Makino
Pleioblastus hindsii (Munro) Nakai
Pleioblastus simonii (Carrière) Nakai
Pseudosasa japonica (Siebold & Zucc. ex Steud.) Makino ex Nakai
Semiarundinaria fastuosa (Mitford) Makino
Asparagus aethiopicus L.   Asparagus asparagoides (L.) Druce
Asparagus aethiopicus 'Meyersii'
Asparagus aethiopicus 'Sprengeri'
Asparagus officinalis L.
Asparagus scandens Thunb.
Asparagus plumosus Baker
 
Asparagus asparagoides (L.) Druce   Asparagus aethiopicus L.
Asparagus aethiopicus 'Meyersii'
Asparagus aethiopicus 'Sprengeri'
Asparagus officinalis L.
Asparagus scandens Thunb.
Asparagus plumosus Baker
 
Asparagus plumosus Baker   Asparagus asparagoides (L.) Druce
Asparagus aethiopicus L.
Asparagus aethiopicus 'Meyersii'
Asparagus aethiopicus 'Sprengeri'
Asparagus officinalis L.
 
Asparagus scandens Thunb.   Asparagus asparagoides (L.) Druce
Asparagus aethiopicus L.
Asparagus aethiopicus 'Meyersii'
Asparagus aethiopicus 'Sprengeri'
Asparagus officinalis L.
Asparagus plumosus Baker
 
Berberis darwinii Hook.   Berberis glaucocarpa Stapf
Berberis ×stenophylla Lindl.
 
Bomarea multiflora Mirb.      
Bryonia cretica subsp. dioica (Jacq.) Tutin     Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sweet.
Sicyos australis Endl.
Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull   Calluna vulgaris - double flowered cultivars Erica carnea L.
Cardiospermum grandiflorum Sw.   Cardiospermum halicacabum L.  
Cardiospermum halicacabum L.   Cardiospermum grandiflorum Sw.  
Carex pendula Huds.      
Carpobrotus edulis (L.) N.E.Br.   ×Carpophyma mutabilis Heenan & Sykes Carpobrotus chilensis (Molina) N.E.Br. × Disphyma australe (W.T.Aiton) N.E.Br.
Disphyma australe (W.T.Aiton) N.E.Br.
×Carpophyma mutabilis Heenan & Sykes   Carpobrotus chilensis (Molina) N.E.Br. × Disphyma australe (W.T.Aiton) N.E.Br.
Disphyma australe (W.T.Aiton) N.E.Br.
Carpobrotus chilensis (Molina) N.E.Br.
Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb.      
Cenchrus latifolius (Spreng.) Morrone In NPPA manual as Cenchrus  (all species excluding C. clandestinum [should be C. clandestinus] and C. americanus) Cenchrus americanus (L.) Morrone
Cenchrus clandestinus (Hochst. ex Chiov.) Morrone
Other Cenchrus spp.
Setaria italica (L.) P.Beauv.
Setaria parviflora (Poir.) Kerguélen
Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Setaria viridis (L.) P.Beauv.
Cenchrus longisetus M.C.Johnst. In NPPA manual as Cenchrus  (all species excluding C. clandestinum [should be C. clandestinus] and C. americanus) Cenchrus americanus (L.) Morrone
Cenchrus clandestinus (Hochst. ex Chiov.) Morrone
Other Cenchrus spp.
Setaria italica (L.) P.Beauv.
Setaria parviflora (Poir.) Kerguélen
Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Setaria viridis (L.) P.Beauv.
Cenchrus macrourus (Trin.) Morrone In NPPA manual as Cenchrus  (all species excluding C. clandestinum [should be C. clandestinus] and C. americanus) Cenchrus americanus (L.) Morrone
Cenchrus clandestinus (Hochst. ex Chiov.) Morrone
Other Cenchrus spp.
Setaria italica (L.) P.Beauv.
Setaria parviflora (Poir.) Kerguélen
Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Setaria viridis (L.) P.Beauv.
Cenchrus purpurascens Thunb. In NPPA manual as Cenchrus  (all species excluding C. clandestinum [should be C. clandestinus] and C. americanus) Cenchrus americanus (L.) Morrone
Cenchrus clandestinus (Hochst. ex Chiov.) Morrone
Other Cenchrus spp.
Setaria italica (L.) P.Beauv.
Setaria parviflora (Poir.) Kerguélen
Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Setaria viridis (L.) P.Beauv.
Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone In NPPA manual as Cenchrus  (all species excluding C. clandestinum [should be C. clandestinus] and C. americanus) Cenchrus americanus (L.) Morrone
Cenchrus clandestinus (Hochst. ex Chiov.) Morrone
Other Cenchrus spp.
Setaria italica (L.) P.Beauv.
Setaria parviflora (Poir.) Kerguélen
Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Setaria viridis (L.) P.Beauv.
Cenchrus setaceus (Forssk.) Morrone In NPPA manual as Cenchrus  (all species excluding C. clandestinum [should be C. clandestinus] and C. americanus) Cenchrus americanus (L.) Morrone
Cenchrus clandestinus (Hochst. ex Chiov.) Morrone
Other Cenchrus spp.
Setaria italica (L.) P.Beauv.
Setaria parviflora (Poir.) Kerguélen
Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Setaria viridis (L.) P.Beauv.
Ceratophyllum demersum L.     Myriophyllum aquaticum (Vell.) Verdc.
Cestrum aurantiacum Lindl.   Cestrum elegans (Brongn.) Schltdl.
Cestrum fasciculatum (Schltdl.) Miers
Cestrum fasciculatum 'Newellii'
Cestrum nocturnum L.
Cestrum parqui L'Hér.
Cestrum ×cultum Francey (C. elegans × C. parqui)
 
Cestrum elegans (Brongn.) Schltdl.   Cestrum aurantiacum Lindl.
Cestrum fasciculatum (Schltdl.) Miers
Cestrum fasciculatum 'Newellii'
Cestrum nocturnum L.
Cestrum parqui L'Hér.
Cestrum ×cultum Francey (C. elegans × C. parqui)
 
Cestrum fasciculatum (Schltdl.) Miers   Cestrum aurantiacum Lindl.
Cestrum elegans (Brongn.) Schltdl.
Cestrum fasciculatum 'Newellii'
Cestrum nocturnum L.
Cestrum parqui L'Hér.
Cestrum ×cultum Francey (C. elegans × C. parqui)
 
Cestrum fasciculatum 'Newellii'   Cestrum aurantiacum Lindl.
Cestrum elegans (Brongn.) Schltdl.
Cestrum fasciculatum (Schltdl.) Miers
Cestrum nocturnum L.
Cestrum parqui L'Hér.
Cestrum ×cultum Francey (C. elegans × C. parqui)
 
Cestrum parqui L'Hér.   Cestrum aurantiacum Lindl.
Cestrum elegans (Brongn.) Schltdl.
Cestrum fasciculatum (Schltdl.) Miers
Cestrum fasciculatum 'Newellii'
Cestrum nocturnum L.
Cestrum ×cultum Francey (C. elegans × C. parqui)
 
Chrysanthemoides monilifera (L.) Norl. subsp. monilifera In NPPA manual as Chrysanthemoides monilifera, but New Zealand plants correspond to C. monilifera subsp. monilifera    
Clematis flammula L.   Clematis montana DC.
Clematis paniculata J.F.Gmel.
Clematis terniflora DC.
Clematis tibetana Kuntze
Clematis vitalba L.
 
Clematis vitalba L.   Clematis flammula L.
Clematis montana DC.
Clematis paniculata J.F.Gmel.
Clematis terniflora DC.
Clematis tibetana Kuntze
 
Clerodendrum trichotomum Thunb.      
Cobaea scandens Cav.      
Cortaderia jubata (Lemoine) Stapf   Austroderia fulvida (Buchanan) N.P.Barker & H.P.Linder
Austroderia richardii (Endl.) N.P.Barker & H.P.Linder
Austroderia splendens (Connor) N.P.Barker & H.P.Linder
Austroderia toetoe (Zotov) N.P.Barker & H.P.Linder
Austroderia turbaria (Connor) N.P.Barker & H.P.Linder
Cortaderia selloana (Schult. & Schult.f.) Asch. & Graebn.
 
Cortaderia selloana (Schult. & Schult.f.) Asch. & Graebn.   Austroderia fulvida (Buchanan) N.P.Barker & H.P.Linder
Austroderia richardii (Endl.) N.P.Barker & H.P.Linder
Austroderia splendens (Connor) N.P.Barker & H.P.Linder
Austroderia toetoe (Zotov) N.P.Barker & H.P.Linder
Austroderia turbaria (Connor) N.P.Barker & H.P.Linder
Cortaderia jubata (Lemoine) Stapf
 
Cotoneaster simonsii Baker   Cotoneaster franchetii Bois
Cotoneaster frigidus 'Cornubia'
Cotoneaster glaucophyllus Franch.
Cotoneaster pannosus Franch.
 
Cotyledon orbiculata L.      
Crassula multicava Lem. subsp. multicava In NPPA manual as Crassula multicava, but New Zealand plants correspond to C. multicava subsp. multicava Crassula lactea Sol.
Crassula sarmentosa Harv.
Crassula spathulata Thunb.
 
Cyathea cooperi (Hook. ex F.Muell.) Domin In NPPA manual as Cyathea cooperii (typographic error) Cyathea cunninghamii Hook.f. in Hook.  
Dipogon lignosus (L.) Verdc.     Kennedia rubicunda (Schneev.) Vent.
Drosera capensis L.   Drosera arcturi Hook.  
Eccremocarpus scaber Ruiz & Pav.     Tecomanthe speciosa W.R.B.Oliv.
Egeria densa Planch.     Elodea canadensis Michx.
Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle
Lagarosiphon major (Ridl.) Moss ex Wager 
Ehrharta villosa (L.f.) Schult. & Schult.f.      
Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms     Pontederia cordata L.
Eomecon chionantha Hance     Sanguinaria canadensis L.
Sanguinaria canadensis 'Plena'
Equisetum arvense L. In NPPA manual as Equisetum (all species) other Equisetum spp. Baloskion tetraphyllum (Labill.) B.G.Briggs & L.A.S.Johnson
Elegia capensis (Burm.f.) Schelpe
Equisetum fluviatile L. In NPPA manual as Equisetum (all species) other Equisetum spp. Baloskion tetraphyllum (Labill.) B.G.Briggs & L.A.S.Johnson
Elegia capensis (Burm.f.) Schelpe
Equisetum hyemale L. In NPPA manual as Equisetum (all species) other Equisetum spp. Baloskion tetraphyllum (Labill.) B.G.Briggs & L.A.S.Johnson
Elegia capensis (Burm.f.) Schelpe
Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees      
Erigeron karvinskianus DC.      
Euonymus japonicus Thunb. Includes cultivars of the species Euonymus europaeus L.  
Fallopia japonica (Houtt.) Ronse Decraene   Fallopia sachalinensis (F.Schmidt) Ronse Decr.
Fallopia ×bohemica
 
Fallopia sachalinensis (F.Schmidt) Ronse Decr.   Fallopia japonica (Houtt.) Ronse Decraene
Fallopia ×bohemica
 
Fallopia ×bohemica (Chrtek & Chrtková) J.P.Bailey (F. japonica × sachalinensis)   Fallopia japonica (Houtt.) Ronse Decraene
Fallopia sachalinensis
 
Ficus rubiginosa Vent.   Ficus macrophylla Desf. ex Pers.  
Fuchsia boliviana Carrière The species typically has red flowers; the white flowered form mentioned in the NPPA manual is probably Fuchsia boliviana 'Alba' Fuchsia denticulata Ruiz & Pav.
Fuchsia fulgens Moc. & Sessé ex DC.
Fuchsia triphylla L.
 
Gunnera tinctoria (Molina) Mirb.   Gunnera manicata Linden ex André Rheum palmatum L.
Gymnocoronis spilanthoides (Don) DC.     Veronica americana Benth.
Hedychium flavescens Roscoe   Hedychium coccineum Buch.-Ham. ex Sm.
Hedychium gardnerianum Ker Gawl.
 
Hedychium gardnerianum Ker Gawl.   Hedychium coccineum Buch.-Ham. ex Sm.
Hedychium flavescens Roscoe
 
Heracleum mantegazzianum Sommier & Levier   Heracleum sphondylium L.  
Hieracium argillaceum group In 2008 NPPA manual as Hieracium (all species). All Hieracium should probably also have been included in the 2012 manual other Hieraceum and Pilosella spp. Crepis capillaris (L.) Wallr.
Hypochaeris radicata L.
Leontodon taraxacoides (Vill.) Mérat
Microseris scapigera (Sol. ex A.Cunn.) Sch.Bip.
Taraxacum magellanicum Sch.Bip.
Hieracium lepidulum (Stenstr.) Omang All Hieracium should probably have been included in the 2012 manual, not just H. lepidulum other Hieraceum and Pilosella spp. Crepis capillaris (L.) Wallr.
Hypochaeris radicata L.
Leontodon taraxacoides (Vill.) Mérat
Microseris scapigera (Sol. ex A.Cunn.) Sch.Bip.
Taraxacum magellanicum Sch.Bip.
Hieracium murorum L. In 2008 NPPA manual as Hieracium (all species). All Hieracium should probably also have been included in the 2012 manual other Hieraceum and Pilosella spp. Crepis capillaris (L.) Wallr.
Hypochaeris radicata L.
Leontodon taraxacoides (Vill.) Mérat
Microseris scapigera (Sol. ex A.Cunn.) Sch.Bip.
Taraxacum magellanicum Sch.Bip.
Hieracium pollichiae Sch.Bip. In 2008 NPPA manual as Hieracium (all species). All Hieracium should probably also have been included in the 2012 manual other Hieraceum and Pilosella spp. Crepis capillaris (L.) Wallr.
Hypochaeris radicata L.
Leontodon taraxacoides (Vill.) Mérat
Microseris scapigera (Sol. ex A.Cunn.) Sch.Bip.
Taraxacum magellanicum Sch.Bip.
Hieracium sabaudum L. In 2008 NPPA manual as Hieracium (all species). All Hieracium should probably also have been included in the 2012 manual other Hieraceum and Pilosella spp. Crepis capillaris (L.) Wallr.
Hypochaeris radicata L.
Leontodon taraxacoides (Vill.) Mérat
Microseris scapigera (Sol. ex A.Cunn.) Sch.Bip.
Taraxacum magellanicum Sch.Bip.
Homalanthus populifolius Graham   Homalanthus polyandrus (Müll.Arg.) Cheeseman  
Houttuynia cordata Thunb.   Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon' Saururus cernuus L.
Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon' The cultivar covers plants with variegated leaves that are cream, bronze, scarlet and green Houttuynia cordata Thunb. Saururus cernuus L.
Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle     Egeria densa Planch.
Elodea canadensis Michx.
Lagarosiphon major (Ridl.) Moss ex Wager 
Hydrocleys nymphoides (Humb. & Bonpl.) Buchenau     Ottelia ovalifolia (R.Br.) Rich.
Hypericum androsaemum L.   Hypericum ×inodorum Mill.
Hypericum calycinum L.
Hypericum henryi H.Lév. & Vaniot subsp. henryi
Hypericum kouytchense H.Lév.
 
Ipomoea indica (Burman) Merr.   Ipomoea cairica (L.) Sweet
Ipomoea purpurea (L.) Roth
Calystegia sepium subsp. roseata sens. lat.
Iris pseudacorus L.   Iris ensata Thunb.
Iris laevigata Fisch. & C.A.Mey.
 
Jasminum humile L.   Jasminum mesnyi Hance  
Juglans ailantifolia Carrière     Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle
Kennedia rubicunda (Schneev.) Vent.      
Lagarosiphon major (Ridl.) Moss ex Wager     Egeria densa Planch.
Elodea canadensis Michx.
Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle
Lamium galeobdolon 'Variegatum' All naturalised material is referable to cultivar 'Variegatum'   Lamium maculatum L.
Lantana camara L. In NPPA manual as Lantana camara (all varieties). The varieties in New Zealand are poorly-defined Lantana montevidensis (Spreng.) Briq.  
Ligustrum lucidum W.T.Aiton   Ligustrum ovalifolium Hassk. Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J.S.Pres.
Nestegis cunninghamii (Hook.f.) L.A.S.Johnson
Lilium formosanum A.Wallace   Lilium regale E.H.Wilson  
Lonicera japonica Thunb. There are several hybrids and cultivars of Lonicera japonica in cultivation Lonicera ×americana (Mill.) K.Koch
Lonicera periclymenum L.
 
Ludwigia peploides subsp. montevidensis (Spreng.) P.H.Raven     Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb.
Lythrum salicaria L.   Lythrum virgatum L. - and its cultivars (L. virgatum 'Dropmore Purple', L. virgatum 'Rose Queen')  
Macfadyena unguis-cati (L.) A.H.Gentry      
Maytenus boaria Molina      
Megathyrsus maximus var. pubiglumis (K.Schum) B.K.Simon & S. W.L.Jacobs Megathyrsus maximus var. pubiglumis is probably the only variety in New Zealand Panicum dichotomiflorum Michx.
Panicum schinzii Hack.
 
Menyanthes trifoliata L.      
Moraea flaccida (Sweet) Steud.      
Myoporum insulare R.Br. In NPPA manual as Myoporum insulare (and hybrids) Myoporum laetum G.Forst.  
Myrica faya Aiton   Myrica pensylvanica Mirb. in Duhamel  
Myricaria germanica (L.) Desv.     Tamarix chinensis Lour.
Myriophyllum aquaticum (Vell.) Verdc.   Myriophyllum robustum Hook.f. Ceratophyllum demersum L.
Nassella neesiana (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth   other Nassella spp. Austrostipa nitida (Summerh. & C.E.Hubb.) S.W.L.Jacobs & J.Everett
Austrostipa nodosa (S.T.Blake) S.W.L.Jacobs & J.Everett
Austrostipa scabra (Lindl.) S.W.L.Jacobs & J.Everett
Austrostipa stipoides (Hook.f.) S.W.L.Jacobs & J.Everett
Festuca novae-zelandiae (Hack.) Cockayne
Nassella tenuissima (Trin.) Barkworth   other Nassella spp. Austrostipa nitida (Summerh. & C.E.Hubb.) S.W.L.Jacobs & J.Everett
Austrostipa nodosa (S.T.Blake) S.W.L.Jacobs & J.Everett
Austrostipa scabra (Lindl.) S.W.L.Jacobs & J.Everett
Austrostipa stipoides (Hook.f.) S.W.L.Jacobs & J.Everett
Festuca novae-zelandiae (Hack.) Cockayne
Nassella trichotoma (Nees) Hack. ex Arechav.   other Nassella spp. Austrostipa nitida (Summerh. & C.E.Hubb.) S.W.L.Jacobs & J.Everett
Austrostipa nodosa (S.T.Blake) S.W.L.Jacobs & J.Everett
Austrostipa scabra (Lindl.) S.W.L.Jacobs & J.Everett
Austrostipa stipoides (Hook.f.) S.W.L.Jacobs & J.Everett
Festuca novae-zelandiae (Hack.) Cockayne
Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) C.Presl   Nephrolepis falcata (Cav.) C.Chr.
Nephrolepis flexuosa Colenso
Nephrolepis hirsutula (G.Forst.) C.Presl
 
Nuphar lutea (L.) Sm.      
Nymphaea mexicana Zucc.   Nymphaea alba L.
Nymphaea - hardy cultivars and hybrids (e.g., N. 'Marliacea Chromatella', N. 'Sulphurea', N. tuberosa 'Escarboucle')
Nymphoides geminata (R.Br.) Kuntze
Nymphoides peltata (S.G.Gmel.) Kuntze
Nymphoides geminata (R.Br.) Kuntze   Nymphoides peltata (S.G.Gmel.) Kuntze Nymphaea mexicana Zucc.
Nymphoides peltata (S.G.Gmel.) Kuntze   Nymphoides geminata (R.Br.) Kuntze Nymphaea alba L.
Ochna serrulata (Hochst.) Walp.      
Osmunda regalis L.      
Passiflora apetala Killip      
Passiflora caerulea L.   Passiflora edulis Sims  
Passiflora tarminiana Coppens & V.E.Barney   Passiflora ×rosea (H.Karst.) Killip
Passiflora pinnatistipula Cav.
Passiflora tripartita (Juss.) Poir. var. tripartita
Passiflora tripartita var. azuayensis Holm-Niels. & P.Jørg.
Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima (Kunth) Holm-Niels. & P.Jørg.
 
Passiflora tripartita var. azuayensis Holm-Niels. & P.Jørg. In NPPA manual as Passiflora tripartita (all varieties). There are two varieties in New Zealand; P. tripartita var. tripartita is absent Passiflora ×rosea (H.Karst.) Killip
Passiflora pinnatistipula Cav.
Passiflora tarminiana Coppens & V.E.Barney
Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima (Kunth) Holm-Niels. & P.Jørg.
 
Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima (Kunth) Holm-Niels. & P.Jørg. In NPPA manual as Passiflora tripartita (all varieties). There are two varieties in New Zealand; P. tripartita var. tripartita is absent Passiflora ×rosea (H.Karst.) Killip
Passiflora pinnatistipula Cav.
Passiflora tarminiana Coppens & V.E.Barney
Passiflora tripartita var. azuayensis Holm-Niels. & P.Jørg.
 
Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.     Arundo donax L.
Pleioblastus chino (Franch. & Sav.) Makino
Pleioblastus hindsii (Munro) Nakai
Pleioblastus simonii (Carrière) Nakai
Pseudosasa japonica (Siebold & Zucc. ex Steud.) Makino ex Nakai
Semiarundinaria fastuosa (Mitford) Makino
Pilosella aurantiaca subsp. carpathicola (Nägeli & Peter) Soják   other Hieraceum and Pilosella spp. Crepis capillaris (L.) Wallr.
Hypochaeris radicata L.
Leontodon taraxacoides (Vill.) Mérat
Microseris scapigera (Sol. ex A.Cunn.) Sch.Bip.
Taraxacum magellanicum Sch.Bip.
Pilosella caespitosa (Dumort.) P.D.Sell & C.West Not named in the NPPA manual but covered under Pilosella (all species) other Hieraceum and Pilosella spp. Crepis capillaris (L.) Wallr.
Hypochaeris radicata L.
Leontodon taraxacoides (Vill.) Mérat
Microseris scapigera (Sol. ex A.Cunn.) Sch.Bip.
Taraxacum magellanicum Sch.Bip.
Pilosella officinarum Vaill.   other Hieraceum and Pilosella spp. Crepis capillaris (L.) Wallr.
Hypochaeris radicata L.
Leontodon taraxacoides (Vill.) Mérat
Microseris scapigera (Sol. ex A.Cunn.) Sch.Bip.
Taraxacum magellanicum Sch.Bip.
Pilosella piloselloides subsp. praealta (Gochnat) S.Bräut. & Greuter   other Hieraceum and Pilosella spp. Crepis capillaris (L.) Wallr.
Hypochaeris radicata L.
Leontodon taraxacoides (Vill.) Mérat
Microseris scapigera (Sol. ex A.Cunn.) Sch.Bip.
Taraxacum magellanicum Sch.Bip.
Pilosella ×stoloniflora (Waldst. & Kit.) F.W.Schultz & Sch.Bip. Not named in the NPPA manual but covered under Pilosella (all species) other Hieraceum and Pilosella spp. Crepis capillaris (L.) Wallr.
Hypochaeris radicata L.
Leontodon taraxacoides (Vill.) Mérat
Microseris scapigera (Sol. ex A.Cunn.) Sch.Bip.
Taraxacum magellanicum Sch.Bip.
Pinus contorta Loudon Two varieties of Pinus contorta appear to be recognised in New Zealand Pinus mugo Turra
Pinus nigra J.F.Arnold
Pinus radiata D.Don
Pinus sylvestris L.
 
Pistia stratiotes L.      
Pithecoctenium crucigerum (L.) A.H.Gentry      
Pittosporum undulatum Vent.   Pittosporum eugenioides A.Cunn.  
Plectranthus ciliatus E.Mey.   Plectranthus ecklonii Benth.
Plectranthus grandis (Cramer) Willems
Plectranthus oertendahlii T.C.E.Fr.
Plectranthus purpuratus Harv.
Teucrium scorodonia L.
Polygala myrtifolia L. In NPPA manual as Polygala myrtifolia (excluding cultivar 'Grandiflora'). P. myrtifolia 'Grandiflora' is referable to P. ×dalmaisiana Polygala ×dalmaisiana  
Polypodium vulgare L.      
Potamogeton perfoliatus L.   Potamogeton cheesemanii A.Benn.  
Prunus serotina Ehrh.   Prunus laurocerasus L.
Prunus lusitanica L.
 
Pyracantha angustifolia (Franch.) C.K.Schneid.   Pyracantha coccinea M.Roem.
Pyracantha crenatoserrata (Hance) Rehder
Pyracantha crenulata (D.Don.) M.Roem.
Pyracantha cultivars with orange fruit (e.g., P. 'Orange Glow', P. 'Shawnee')
Cotoneaster franchetii Bois
Cotoneaster frigidus 'Cornubia'
Rhamnus alaternus L.      
Rhododendron ponticum L.   Rhododendron 'Sir Robert Peel'  
Sagittaria montevidensis Cham. & Schltdl.   Sagittaria sagittifolia L.  
Sagittaria platyphylla (Engelm.) J.G.Sm.     Alisma lanceolatum With.
Alisma plantago-aquatica L.
Vallisneria australis S.W.L.Jacobs & Les
Vallisneria spiralis L.
Sagittaria sagittifolia L.   Sagittaria montevidensis Cham. & Schltdl.  
Salix cinerea L.   Salix ×reichardtii A.Kern.  
Salix ×fragilis L.   Salix alba var. vitellina (L.) Stokes   
Salvinia molesta D.S.Mitch.      
Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi      
Schoenoplectus californicus (C.A.Mey.) Palla   Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (C.C.Gmel.) Palla  
Selaginella kraussiana (Kunze) A.Braun      
Solanum marginatum L.f.   Solanum mauritianum Scop.  
Solanum mauritianum Scop.   Solanum marginatum L.f.  
Syzygium smithii (Poir.) Nied.     Syzygium australe (Link) B.Hyland
Tradescantia fluminensis Vell.   Tradescantia albiflora Kunth  
Tropaeolum speciosum Poepp. & Endl.   Tropaeolum pentaphyllum Lam.  
Tussilago farfara L.     Petasites fragrans (Vill.) C.Presl
Typha latifolia L.   Typha angustifolia L.
Typha orientalis C.Presl
 
Utricularia arenaria A.DC.   Utricularia livida E.Mey.
Utricularia sandersonii Oliv.
 
Utricularia gibba L.   Utricularia australis R.Br.
Utricularia geminiscapa Benj.
 
Utricularia livida E.Mey.   Utricularia sandersonii Oliv.
Utricularia arenaria A.DC.
 
Utricularia sandersonii Oliv.   Utricularia arenaria A.DC.
Utricularia livida E.Mey.
 
Vallisneria australis S.W.L.Jacobs & Les     Sagittaria platyphylla (Engelm.) J.G.Sm.
Zantedeschia aethiopica 'Green Goddess'   Zantedeschia aethiopica (L.) Spreng.  
Zizania latifolia (Griseb.) Stapf      

 

Table 2: Partial list of Environmental Weeds in the key, where the names differ from Howell (2008)

Environmental Weed species used in key Notes and comparisons with Howell (2008)
Acacia longifolia subsp. longifolia In Howell (2008) as Acacia longifolia
Acacia longifolia subsp. sophorae In Howell (2008) as the synonym Acacia sophorae
Anredera cordifolia subsp. cordifolia In Howell (2008) as Anredera cordifolia, but New Zealand plants correspond to A. cordifolia subsp. cordifolia
Araujia hortorum In Howell (2008) as Araujia sericifera, but this is a misapplication
Asparagus plumosus In Howell (2008) as Asparagus setaceus, but this is a misapplication
Bryonia cretica subsp. dioica In Howell (2008) as Bryonia cretica, but New Zealand plants correspond to B. cretica subsp. dioica
Callistemon linearis In Howell (2008) as the synonym Callistemon rigidus
Carex leporina In Howell (2008) as the synonym Carex ovalis
Cenchrus clandestinus In Howell (2008) as the synonym Pennisetum clandestinum
Cenchrus macrourus In Howell (2008) as the synonym Pennisetum macrourum
Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. monilifera In Howell (2008) as Chrysanthemoides monilifera, but New Zealand plants correspond to C. monilifera subsp. monilifera
Clematis terniflora In Howell (2008) as the synonym Clematis maximowicziana
Cornus capitata In Howell (2008) as the synonym Dendrobenthamia capitata
Crassula multicava subsp. multicava In Howell (2008) as Crassula multicava, but New Zealand plants correspond to C. multicava subsp. multicava
Delairea odorata In Howell (2008) as the synonym Senecio mikanioides
Erythranthe guttata In Howell (2008) as the synonym Mimulus guttatus
Fallopia ×bohemica (Fallopia japonica × sachalinensis) Absent from Howell (2008) but probably should be included as both parental species are Environmental Weeds and the hybrid is found in the wild
Fallopia japonica In Howell (2008) as the synonym Reynoutria japonica
Fallopia sachalinensis In Howell (2008) as the synonym Reynoutria sachalinensis
Genista monspessulana In Howell (2008) as the synonym Teline monspessulana
Hakea drupacea In Howell (2008) as the synonym Hakea suaveolens
Imperata cylindrica var. major In Howell (2008) as Imperata cylindrica, but New Zealand plants correspond to I. cylindrica var. major
Jacobaea vulgaris In Howell (2008) as the synonym Senecio jacobaea
Lamium galeobdolon 'Variegatum' In Howell (2008) as the synonym Galeobdolon luteum
Lilium lancifolium In Howell (2008) as the synonym Lilium tigrinum
Malva arborea In Howell (2008) as the synonym Lavatera arborea
Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata and Olea europaea subsp. europaea In Howell (2008) as Olea europaea (subspecies not specified) – presumably both are Environmental Weeds
Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima (and Passiflora tripartita var. azuayensis?) In Howell (2008) as Passiflora tripartita (varieties not specified) – presumably both are Environmental Weeds
Persicaria capitata In Howell (2008) as the synonym Polygonum capitatum
Pilosella aurantiaca subsp. carpathicola In Howell (2008) as the synonym Hieracium aurantiacum
Pilosella officinarum In Howell (2008) as the synonym Hieracium pilosella
Pilosella piloselloides subsp. praealta In Howell (2008) as the synonym Hieracium praealtum
Prunus cerasifera In Howell (2008) as Prunus ceracifera, but this is an orthographic error
Schedonorus arundinaceus In Howell (2008) as the synonym Schedonorus phoenix
Solanum laxum In Howell (2008) as the synonym Solanum jasminoides
Syzygium smithii In Howell (2008) as the synonym Acmena smithii
Watsonia meriana 'Bulbillifera' In Howell (2008) as the synonym Watsonia bulbillifera

Images

More than 20,000 high resolution plant images were gathered for this project. Of these, about 11,000 were selected for the final key and file sizes were reduced for fast display.

Images were chosen with a preference for New Zealand material and to represent a range of features for each species, such as:

  • Population
  • Habit
  • Adult plant
  • Seedling
  • Foliage
  • Leaf (upper and lower)
  • Stem
  • Branch
  • Inflorescence
  • Flower
  • Fruit
  • Seed
  • Specialised characters (e.g., spines, tendrils, bark)

Different stages of maturity and close-up photography is included. Most images are of live plants but herbarium specimens and line drawings are also used. The key includes captions for all features and acknowledges the source of each individual image.

All five authors of the weeds key provided images and Trevor James and Sheldon Navie made the greatest contributions. The remaining images were obtained from a wide range of sources and every effort has been made to obtain permission to use them or to ensure that they are copyright free.

However, treat all images in the Weed key as copyright to the original photographer.

Further images are welcome – please contact Murray Dawson for details.

The following is a partial list of those who have kindly contributed images:

Authors of key

New Zealand contributors:

International contributors:

Acknowledgements

Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research acknowledges the financial assistance of the Terrestrial and Freshwater Biodiversity Information System (TFBIS) Programme towards the completion of an interactive identification key to weeds and pest plants included in the Department of Conservation consolidated list of environmental weeds in New Zealand (Howell, 2008) , the National Pest Plant Accord (NPPA), and plants that are closely related or similar looking. The TFBIS Programme is funded by the Government to help to achieve the goals of the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy, and is administered by the Department of Conservation.

The Centre for Biological Information Technology (CBIT) at The University of Queensland supplied scores and fact sheet information for some species included in the New Zealand (Lucid™) weeds key. This data was derived from the following Lucid™ keys, authored by Sheldon Navie, and developed and distributed by CBIT - Declared Plants of Australia, Environmental Weeds of Australia and Suburban and Environmental Weeds of SE Queensland - version 2.

In addition to the main authors of the Weed key, many others contributed images. We especially thank:

  • Carolyn Lewis (Weedbusters)
  • Clayson Howell (Department of Conservation)
  • MAF Biosecurity New Zealand
  • NIWA, National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research
  • Jonathan Boow (Auckland Regional Council)
  • Other New Zealand regional authorities, city councils and district councils
  • Forest & Kim Starr (Hawaii)
  • Jackie Miles and Max Campbell (NSW, Australia)
  • Contributors to the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
  • Contributors to Wikimedia

Also see our webpage on further acknowledgements and details of images used in the weeds key.

Useful links relating to weeds.

Ngā Tipu o Aotearoa – New Zealand Plants databases
http://nzflora.landcareresearch.co.nz/

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand
www.biosecurity.govt.nz

Weedbusters
www.weedbusters.co.nz

PestWebNZ
www.pestweb.co.nz

Massey University – New Zealand weeds
http://weeds.massey.ac.nz

The Gymnosperm Database
www.conifers.org

SCION – Interactive key to Cultivated Pines
www.scionresearch.com/keys/Pinus/pine-key.html

Pest Plants (weeds) of NZ on iNaturalist NZ

iNaturalist NZ is a community website, where you can share what you see in nature, meet other nature watchers, and learn about New Zealand animals, plants, and fungi.