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new virtual tool targets high-risk weeds
Weed Botanist Dr Patricia Lu-Irving of Botanic Gardens of Sydney in the National Herbarium of New South Wales looking at a plant specimen.
A new online tool developed by Botanic Gardens of Sydney in partnership with the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development( DPIRD) https:// www. botanicgardens. org. au / virtual-reference-collection-priorityweeds-nsw is set to strengthen the state’ s ability to detect and eradicate some of the world’ s most dangerous invasive plants. The Virtual Reference Collection of Priority Weeds for NSW has been delivered under the NSW New Weed Incursion Plan 2024 – 2030. The initiative aims to support early detection, prevent new weed incursions and minimise the impact of invasive species across the state.
Weed Botanist Patricia Lu-Irving said the project brings more than a century of scientific records into the digital age.
“ Plant records and scientific collections held by the NSW Government for more than 100 years have been transformed into a practical, modern resource that helps protect NSW from today’ s weed threats,” she said.
“ Having this information at people’ s fingertips allows for quicker action, boosting our ability to identify potential weed incursions early— when eradication is still possible.”
The online collection features highresolution images of 29 plant species listed as Prohibited Matter— the category representing the highest biosecurity risk in NSW.
DPIRD weed ecologist Stephen Johnson said prevention remains the most effective strategy.
“ Many of these plants have rarely, if ever, been seen in NSW. This resource gives biosecurity officers and land managers the tools they need to identify them quickly,” he said.
“ The collection supports early detection and gives landholders, bushcare volunteers, farmers, horticulturists, councils and government agencies access to critical information— whether they’ re in the field, the office or on the go.”
Each specimen can be magnified to reveal detailed botanical features essential for accurate identification. The images are sourced from the National Herbarium of New South Wales, part of the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, which houses more than one million preserved plant specimens.
Among the collection is pressed water pennywort( Hydrocotyle ranunculoides), originally collected in 1895 and now playing a role in modern biosecurity efforts.
The new resource complements the existing NSW WeedWise platform, adding another layer of support for those working on the ground. DPIRD is also training biosecurity officers and weed professionals across the state to use the tool through its Getting to Know Prohibited Matter Weeds courses.
Under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015, it is an offence to bring Prohibited Matter into NSW. These plants cannot be sold, and any suspected sightings must be reported immediately to the NSW Biosecurity Helpline on 1800 680 244.
This Hydrocotyle ranunculoides( Water Pennywort) specimen preserved in 1895, and now in the collection of the National Herbarium of New South Wales is included in the Virtual Reference Collection.
30 ISSUE 192 // MAY 2026 theindependentmagazine. com. au THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT