Hypericum perforatum

St John's Wort at Tuggeranong Hill

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Identification history

Hypericum perforatum

10 Jan 2024

michaelb

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Significant sighting

michaelb noted:

10 Jan 2024

On my recent visit to the western slope/ridge of Tuggeranong Hill, the amount of St Johns Wort on the hill was astounding. I've visited there before & I reckon there is a multiple of 100 times the amount of the wort compared to a visit I made in 2015. It is very concerning for the future of the whole of the western side of the hill and the native flora being pushed out.

User's notes

On the western slopes/ridge of Tuggeranong Hill. The photos look to the north, the east & hill top, and south-east toward Rob Roy.

12 comments

michaelb wrote:

10 Jan 2024

With this sighting I show the expansive spread of St John's Wort that is now covering the slopes and the top of the western ridge of Tuggeranong Hill. 3 other sightings from the nearby slopes are 4543276, 4543272, 4543279 :-
https://canberra.naturemapr.org/sightings/4543276, Hypericum perforatum (St John's Wort)
Hypericum perforatum (St John's Wort)

michaelb wrote:

10 Jan 2024

Hi @VeraKurz .. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. If you have not explored this part of the hill lately, I think you and FOTH should be made aware of this.

owenh wrote:

10 Jan 2024

Rampant over the eastern side also.

HelenCross wrote:

10 Jan 2024

McQuoids Hill is the same

Mike wrote:

10 Jan 2024

Beyond depressing in other nature reserves too. You can't expect volunteers to do anything about it. Rangers have been mapping some but there are few resources to control it.

VeraKurz wrote:

11 Jan 2024

Hi Michael and all.
Yes, it is certainly rampant, and several wet summers have seen it flourish right across the reserve. To be honest, I'm not really sure how much our group can do to control it. We really just target a few key areas for SJW treatment.

MichaelMulvaney wrote:

12 Jan 2024

SJW does flourish in wet years - particularly in those areas where overgrazing by stock, kangaroos and/or rabbits have significantly reduced native grass cover. However it will die back in dry years and spraying, slashing flower heads and grazing management can help control it. It also looks worse than it actually is in that although it looks to be blanketing an area at ground level many native grasses and herbs can still persist. Groups like FOTH and Red Hill Regenerators have to target priority areas and live with the knowledge that dry weather will see a reduction - it can be depressing but it is not a lost cause.

michaelb wrote:

12 Jan 2024

Hi Vera. I wasn't expecting you and FOTH to deal with the issue, and I'm sure you do your best. I was just expressing my dismay at what is happening to Tugg Hill and what will happen in the future because of its negative effect on the native ground cover flora. I wonder what Tugg Hill will look like in 10 years time if the trend continues.

HelenCross wrote:

12 Jan 2024

@MichaelMulvaney are there reserves where it's not so prevalent?

michaelb wrote:

12 Jan 2024

Hi Michael M. I have to respectfully disagree with you re the SGW. (1) There is no apparent spraying on the great majority of Tugg Hill, and no slashing or grazing management at all. (2) Initially when the SJW has moved into an area the native grasses and forbs persist for a short while. But over time the SJW becomes more dense in its growth and crowds out the natives. While it may be less visible in dry years the roots persist and then when the rain comes the SJW increases it coverage and hold. (3) SJW also changes the soil structure and composition. Then many of the natives just die out, especially the more sensitive species. I've seen this happen. (4) If you want to see the long term effect of SJW when left unmanaged, as it has been on Tugg Hill, then visit Urambi Hills. Start from the entrance at Meredith Circuit Kambah and walk to the hill top. It is not nice.

Mike wrote:

12 Jan 2024

Is it out- competing the Patersons Curse? I don't recall any blue fields this seaon. Echium generally flowers earlier than SJW, but might be missing out with all the competition.

MatthewFrawley wrote:

17 Jan 2024

At least Mount Taylor looks pretty impressive in that first photo. I'm going to focus on that.

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