Flowing Easter Cassia

Easter cassia, Senna pendula var. glabrata, is native to South America. The shrubs are easy to spot this time of year as they are in flower. This weed is not classified under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002; however, it is classified as an environmental weed by the Fraser Coast Regional Council.

It is a successful invader to disturbed sites. Its main distribution on Fraser Island is at Eurong and Happy Valley, with small patches found at Indian Head, Orchid Beach, Sandy Cape and Moon Point. Easter cassia is controlled both chemically and physically. Methods include stump cutting, foliar spray, basal bark spraying and hand pulling small plants. There is no known biological control, but Easter cassia is intolerant of fires. For further information, go to: www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au.