As you may be aware, Foxglove was recently listed as a declared weed in Tasmania under the Biosecurity Act 2019. Foxglove is currently flowering in the Huon Valley.
Warning – All parts of the foxglove plant are toxic to humans and animals, and care should be taken to avoid contact between the skin and any plant material. If any part of the plant is ingested, immediately call the Poisons Information Centre on 131 126.
What is Council doing about foxglove?
Foxglove is widespread across the Huon Valley, so eradication is not a realistic aim. Over the next few seasons, Council’s Natural Resource Management (NRM) Team will work with Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service and other organisations to map foxglove occurrences and identify priority areas for management. Any management efforts will focus on preventing the spread of foxglove into important places like the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
What you can do to help?
You can help by recording sitings of foxglove using the iNaturalist app. This will help Huon Valley Council and Biosecurity Tas gain a better understanding of the extent of foxglove locally and throughout the State.
Controlling foxgloves on your property:
- Start with the outliers; working from the edges of the impacted areas towards the centre ensures you do not spread foxglove into clean areas.
- Create a Weed Management Plan to identify priority areas for control, control methods within your capacity and long-term management objectives. Free Weed Management Templates are available on our website Weeds and the Huon Valley – Huon Valley Council
- Identify dispersal routes – is the infestation you are working on close to a natural waterbody or drainage system? You may be able to prevent seed spread via runoff by strategic placement of silt fences or straw bales across drainage channels.
- Safely dispose of weed material, learn how by following the information on our website Weeds and the Huon Valley – Huon Valley Council
For more information about the foxglove declaration, including access to an interactive map showing the designated areas for Foxglove management, visit Foxglove (Digitalis) | Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania
Photos: Adam Muyt, White and purple variants of common foxglove
“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” Helen Keller.