Senegal tea

Senegal tea (Gymnocoronis spilanthoides) is classified as a category 3 pest plant under Queensland's Biosecurity Act 2014. The species is not commonly present in Queensland, but it would threaten our primary industries, natural environment, livestock, human health and people's livelihoods if it did take hold.

Senegal tea is an aquatic perennial that grows over the water surface or in wet, marshy soils. You can identify the species by 3 main characteristics:

• leaves opposite one another on the stem
• hollow stems
• white flowers, resembling white pom-poms about 15 to 20 millimetres in diameter.

The plant can grow in various forms, producing runners and floating stems up to 2.5 metres in length, or as rounded bushes.

We are working closely with the Queensland Government's Department of Farms, Fishing and Forestry and the community to control this weed before it spreads throughout Queensland.

Report a sighting

If you find a plant that resembles the characteristics of Senegal tea, click on the following button and scroll down to 'Pest plants' to complete our online form.

Report a problem – Trees, plants & vegetation