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Sydney’s lush greenery is under siege as Spanish moss, an ornamental plant native to the Americas, rapidly spreads across the city following prolonged periods of heavy rainfall.
Local councils and landcare groups are urging residents to inspect their gardens and take action against the invasive species.
Spanish moss, known for its ability to thrive in warm, humid environments, has become a popular choice for garden enthusiasts.
However, its rapid growth and tendency to overwhelm native trees have raised significant concerns.
Dr Carol Booth, Policy Director at the Invasive Species Council, has highlighted the plant’s potential to smother trees, block sunlight, and even kill its host by preventing photosynthesis.
She said bush regenerators had sounded the alarm as turpentines, brush boxes, lilly pillies, and cheese trees fall victim to this epiphytic plant.
“It can grow thickly, smothering trees, blocking sunlight, breaking branches and sometimes killing the host by preventing photosynthesis,” she told Yahoo News.
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Spanish moss is quickly invading Sydney.
Willoughby City Council, located in Sydney’s lower north shore, also issued a public warning via social media last week, urging residents to remove Spanish moss from their gardens and refrain from purchasing or sharing the “problem” plant.
Similarly, Lane Cove Council has cautioned that the plant poses a threat to the critically endangered Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest and Blue Gum High Forest communities.
Despite being recognised as an environmental weed, Spanish moss is not yet regulated under Australian law.
It has already established itself in parts of Queensland and New South Wales, including the Lismore area and Lord Howe Island.
Dr Booth explains that the plant’s fluffy, wind-borne seeds and fragments carried by birds and human movement make it challenging to contain once it spreads.
Escaped garden plants are the primary source of new weeds in Australia. Source: Kierans Creek Landcare Group/NSW WeedWise/Forest and Kim Starr, flickr.com
The issue of escaped garden plants extends beyond Spanish moss.
Earlier this month, experts raised concerns about gazania, another invasive species threatening native grasslands and grain-growing regions.
With three-quarters of all environmental weeds originating as ornamental plants, the Invasive Species Council is advocating for stricter regulations on the nursery industry to prevent the sale and spread of such plants, which contribute to over $5 billion in annual losses.
Dr Booth warns that unless governments take decisive action, the next potentially disastrous plant could be sold, endangering Australia’s bushland and protected areas.
Residents are encouraged to remove Spanish moss from their gardens, even if they are not in close proximity to bushland.
While mechanical removal is recommended, those unable to do so can seek advice from their local council.
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