Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Common name: Port Jackson

Family: Fabaceae (Pea)

Distribution: Western Australia

Habitat: Various

IUCN Red list: Least concern

National red list: Not Evaluated

Black list: Listed NEMBA Category 1 Invasive - Must be destroyed/removed by law.

Life form: Evergreen tree

Comments: This infamous species was introduced to SA in the 19th century to stabilise the shifting Cape Flats dunes. It has consequently become one of the Cape's worst invasives, forming monospecific stands that diplace large areas of natural habitat. It is especially problematic in threatened lowland fynbos ecosystems. Since the introduction of the gall-forming rust fungus Uromycladium tepperianum, which reduces seed production and plant survival, the rapid spread of this species has been somewhat reduced, but it remains a critical threat to natural biodiversity.