Paterson’s curse: declared pest

Page last updated: Monday, 11 May 2020 - 1:11pm

Please note: This content may be out of date and is currently under review.

Paterson’s curse, salvation Jane (Echium plantagineum) is a declared pest in Western Australia (WA). This article describes the nature of the plant with links to requirements land owners/occupiers must adhere to, pest control methods and how to search, detect and report it.

Form: herbaceous — annual or biennial

Status: present in WA

Native to southern Europe. Widespread throughout the south-west of WA, and the eastern Goldfields.

Appearance

An erect annual (occasionally biennial) herb to 1.5 metres high, commonly 30-60 centimetres, reproducing by seed.

Stems: one to several stems arise from base, much branched and covered with stiff white hairs.

Leaves: alternate, bristly. Rosette leaves to 25 centimetres long, oval to oblong, stalked and with distinct lateral veins. Stem leaves are smaller and narrower, not stalked and almost clasping the stem.

Flowers: purple, rarely pink or white, crowded along one side of a curved spike. Five petals joined in a curved trumpet shape, two to three centimetres long. Five stamens, two of which are longer than the others and extend beyond the petals.

Fruit: a group of four nutlets surrounded by a stiffly bristled calyx.

Seeds: brown to grey, two to three millimetres long, three sided strongly wrinkled and pitted.

Online weed identification training

Login or set up a new account on DPIRDs online training site to access:

Agricultural and economic impact

Paterson's curse is competitive in crops, invades pastures and can be toxic to livestock. Paterson’s curse is particularly toxic to horses.

Declared pest category

The Western Australian Organism List (WAOL) contains information on the area(s) in which this pest is declared and the control and keeping categories to which it has been assigned in Western Australia (WA). Search for Paterson's curse in the WAOL using the scientific name Echium plantagineum.

Requirements for land owners/occupiers and other persons

Requirements for land owners/occupiers and other persons if this pest is found can be sourced through the declared plant requirements link.

Search > detect > report

MyPestGuide™ Reporter
via app or online
(Select 'Send report to MyWeedWatcher' from menu)
mypestguide.agric.wa.gov.au

Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS)
+61 (0)8 9368 3080
padis@dpird.wa.gov.au

Detectability: easy to find. Paterson’s curse is one of the best known and most easily recognised declared plants. With its spring display of purple flowers, it’s not likely to be confused with any other weed. Its bristly stems and leaf-rosettes are also distinctive.

Who is likely to find it: potentially anyone in the South West Land Division could find Paterson’s curse including biosecurity groups, local government, and any landholder particularly horse owners.

When to find it: easiest to identify when in flower, mainly in spring, but it can flower at other times of year if conditions are favourable.

Where to find it: Paterson’s curse is most common in the Geraldton area and the Swan and Avon Valleys, but can be found down to the south coast and eastward to the Goldfields. It is often found in paddocks and on disturbed soils including roadsides.

Control method

Control methods for this declared plant can be found through the Paterson's curse control page. and the Paterson's curse: what you should know pages.

Management calendar

(a faded icon means occasionally)

Table displays: Search Sep-Nov. Dormant Dec-Feb. Germination Mar-Jul occasionally Aug-Feb.  Actively growing Jun-Nov. Flowering Sep-Dec. Fruiting: Dec-Feb. Treatment May-Aug occasionally Sep.

Further information

Further information on Paterson's curse can be found through the Paterson's curse: what you should know page.

Contact information

Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS)
+61 (0)8 9368 3080
Technical support - MyPestGuide®