25-Jun-2020 Theme: 'WONS'

(1) When the first ‘Weeds of National Significance’ (WONS) list was released in 1999, how many WONS were listed on it? (bonus: how many WONS are on the list now?).

Answer: 20 (bonus: 32).

(2) Gorse or Furze (Ulex europaeus) is a prickly WONS shrub which sheds large numbers of hard-coated seeds. How long can these seeds remain dormant in soil?

Answer: Up to 30 years.

(3) Mimosa pigra, a WONS which is a very serious weed of wetlands in the Northern Territory, is commonly known in Australia as “Giant Sensitive Plant”. Why ‘sensitive’?

Answer: Its leaves are ‘touch sensitive’ (they fold up when touched).

(4) Which of the following is not a WONS? (a) Blackberry (b) Silver nightshade (c) Onion weed (d) Bitou bush (e) Prickly Pear.

Answer: (c) Onion weed.

(5) What desert-dwelling WONS tree secretes a distinct salty crust on its long, slender leaves?

Answer: Athel tamarisk (Tamarix aphylla).

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