Invasive plants

What are injurious weeds?

Injurious weeds are native species, which cause problems for farming. They are harmful to livestock and must not be allowed to spread to agricultural land.

Common ragwort

Common ragwort is a weed of wasteland and pasture. The natural habitat is sand dunes but it is prevalent on light, low fertility soils and on grassland that is overgrazed. It frequently infests horse pastures and is often seen along roadsides, railways and on rubbish tips. Toxic alkaloids are present in all parts of the plant and can cause harm to animals.