Coastal Restoration Trust of New Zealand

Coastal Dune Ecosystem Reference Database

Sea spurge (Euphorbia paralias) - a serious new invasive weed found in New Zealand (a) Other Publication

Author
Beadel, S.
Year
2012
Publisher / Organisation
Wildlands Consultants
Pages
6
Species
Euphorbia paralias, sea spurge
Keywords
sea spurge, Waikato, Aotea, Waihi Stream
Summary
Unpublished Sand Dune Article Newsletter Recently I discovered two small infestations of sea spurge (Euphorbia paralias) near the mouth of the Waihi Stream on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand, whilst undertaking a contract for the Department of Conservation. Waihi Stream is north of Aotea Harbour, a small harbour between Kawhia Harbour and Raglan Harbour. Sea spurge is a serious invasive pest plant that has not previously been recorded as naturalised in New Zealand, but has long been expected to establish here. It is a serious threat to indigenous sand dune vegetation communities (including threatened plant species), and unvegetated fauna habitat, which is key habitat for several nationally threatened species.