PLANT SURVEY LUCINDA DRAIN, FISHERMAN ISLANDS: APRIL (SUMMER) 2005 PLANT SURVEY

May 2005

Prepared by Rob Friend and Associates

This Plant Assessment Report is the ninth report prepared following an assessment of plants occurring along the banks of the Lucinda Drain, Fisherman Islands. The Lucinda Drain is located along the eastern side of Fisherman Islands and is approximately 2.5 kilometres in length. The drain provides tidal, stormwater and wash-drainage from all hardstands and roof water runoff for the majority of facilities and roads along the eastern section of Fisherman Islands.
 
Rob Friend &Associates Pty Ltd was commissioned to undertake this and the previous eight plant surveys of Lucinda Drain.

Summary of findings
The following points summarise the findings of the March 2005 plant survey of Lucinda Drain:

1. A new plant species Stinking Roger (Tagetes minuta) was recorded from a wet area within the western bank of the drain. This plant is relatively common within the Brisbane area and it is not declared in the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Regulation 2003.

2. The following weed species have been recorded previously however due to poor specimen material they have not been identified previously. They include:
 
· Hairy pigweed (Portulaca pilosa). This plant is common throughout both banks of the Lucinda Drain
· Caustic weed (Chamaesyce maculata), common on the eastern bank
· Creeping cinderella weed (Calyptocarpus vialis). This weed occurs on both banks
· Creeping phyllantus (Phyllantus virgatus). This plant grows on  both banks
 
3. Balloon vine (Cardiospermum halicacabum) was found to be growing strongly on the western bank over vegetation within a landscape bed. This vine should be brought under control
 
4. Singapore daisy (Sphagneticola trilobata) was not observed in the locality where it was recorded during the October 2004 survey
 
5. No individuals of Groundsel (Baccharis halimifolia) or Broad-leafed peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia) were recorded during the survey

6. Green panic (Panicum maximum), Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana), feathertop Rhodes grass (C. virgata), red Natal grass (Melinis repens) , and Siratrio (Macroptilium atropurpureum) were the dominant plant species along the eastern bank of the drain
 
7. 50 plant species were recorded. This consisted of 17 native/planted species and 33 environmental weed species

No target weed species identified by Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) were located during the plant survey. Additionally, no other exotic plant species new to the site or in the general Brisbane area were recorded during the plant survey.
 
All environmental weed species that have been identified following the implementation of the plants surveys are being managed in accordance with a land management schedule. No unusual plant species or potential exotic plant incursions were identified during this and the previous plant surveys.

Recommendations regarding the long-term management of environmental weeds within the Lucinda Drain area are provided in Section 6 of this report.