The Plant Often Dubbed ‘The Worst Weed In The World’ Is On The Move And AgResearch Is Teaming Up With Regional Councils And Rural Contractors To Gather Information

The plant often dubbed ‘the worst weed in the world’ is on the move and AgResearch is teaming up with regional councils and Rural Contractors to gather information on alligator weed in a bid to understand its spread. This nasty weed has been in New Zealand for more than a 100 years but had been contained to Northland. But in recent years it has spread and been found in Waikato, Manawatū, Auckland, Tauranga and now Hawke’s Bay. The Ministry for Primary Industries Sustainable Food and Fibres Fund has put up with $270,000 over three years and AgResearch scientist Trevor James says there is a lot of anecdotal evidence about alligator weed, which is native to South America, and the damage it can do – so it will be good to have hard and fast data.