Invasive Plant Policy
Home Calender About the Club
October 2005
Home of Nature Conservation
1. INTRODUCTION

Theewater Sports Club (TSC) recognises that October 2005 marks the 10th anniversary of the Working for Water programme introduced in South Africa to control and eliminate the 198 alien invasive plant species. TSC also acknowledges its responsibility towards the call made by Dr Naomi Mdzeke in September 2005 for communities to be more aware of and take responsibility for removing alien invasive plants to protect our natural resources. 'These plants have invaded more than 10 million hectares of the country, which is about 8% of the available land. They multiply so fast and if left unchecked, the problem could double in the next 15 years'.
South Africa, New Zealand and Australia are all working together in a southern hemisphere coalition to fight the global problem of invasive plants. It costs the South Africa government about R600 million a year to remove invasive alien plants.
These plants are vigorous growers and are highly adaptable to different climates. They damage our natural ecosystems by forcing out indigenous plants, damaging the biodiversity. Because they have no natural predators or diseases, they are able to thrive. The most detrimental effect on the environment is the vast amount of water these plants use. About 7% of all water run-off is lost to these invasive plants - a figure that translates to about 3,3 billion cubic metres of water annually - about 70 times the volume of water in the Theewaterskloof dam when the dam is at full supply level!
TSC therefore wishes to take responsibility for the area of land we own and the land that we lease from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) to ensure that we set the example to fellow South Africans. With this in mind we have formulated a policy, with the approval from DWAF, which we plan to implement with immediate effect.

1.1 Purpose
The TSCIPP establishes the principles and procedures by which TSC manages and removes invasive species from the property under its management and jurisdiction and how it will implement the restoration of the area in terms of planting and encouraging the planting of more appropriate indigenous species. This policy aims to standardize procedures for staff and Club members and provide continuity to ensure the viability of plant and animal life that would not pose a threat to the neighbouring conservation areas but enhance them as well. The policy will also serve to assist with short, medium and long term plans to implement the ultimate removal of invasive species in co-operation with its Club members and DWAF.
1.2 Scope
This policy covers all the areas under the management of TSC (including both the ground belonging to TSC and the ground currently leased from DWAF and will include any additional land which we may acquire in future) and applies to Club management, staff and Club members. 1.3 Legal Framework
This policy is in support of and subject to regulations pertaining to the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act 43 of 1983 and those laid down by DWAF regarding declared Weeds and Alien Invader Plants in South Africa.
1.4 Spirit
1.4.1 This policy is in line with the Agricultural Resources Act and the regulations of provincial and national nature conservation bodies and biodiversity bodies such as South African Nation Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) based at Kirstenbosch, and the Cape Action for People and the Environment (CAPE) Fine Scale Biodiversity Planning.
1.4.2 TSC and its Club members will not knowingly plant or encourage the planting of invasive species and will make reasonable attempts to remove all invasive species with the assistance of DWAF, staff and Club members and replace these with more appropriate species.
1.4.3 The policy should be periodically reviewed and revised if necessary.

2. DEFINITIONS

2.1 Invasive species
See Appendix A for a complete list of Alien Invader Species.
2.1. Appropriate species
Indigenous species that would support the diversity of other plant and animal life in the area and would not be a declared invasive species and include the following:
Indigenous level 1: Species that occur naturally in the Western Cape fynbos, renosterbos and karoo biomes.
Indigenous level 2: Species that occur naturally in South Africa.
(See Appendix C for recommended indigenous species for TSC).
2.2. Removal
Ridding TSC property of invasive species mechanically by sawing, uprooting and poisoning where necessary. Another option could be by natural competition of indigenous species by introducing pressure on invasive species with high impact planting in suitable areas of vigorous indigenous species that seed prolifically (possibly Acacia species, White Stinkwood, Keurboom and Wild Peach). Contact can also be made with Working for Water on Tel: 0800 005 376 for more information on alien vegetation removal.
(See Appendix B for problem invasive species at TSC).
2.3. Restoration
The preparation of the ground for and the planting of more appropriate species after the removal of invasive species.
2.4. Conservation
To plant and encourage existing species of the area and to prevent the destruction thereof when planning and developing the area.
2.5. Biodiversity
Biological diversity is the variety of life in all its forms, levels and combinations and interactions. This includes ecosystem diversity, species diversity, and genetic diversity.

3. GUIDING PRINCIPLES


3.1 To develop the area to a level where it is supportive of and similar to the neighbouring conservancy thereby reducing the potential of infesting the conservancy with invasive species.
3.2 To provide a haven and a migration corridor for local species of animals and insects.
3.3 To enhance members' enjoyment of the area by replacing a sterile, lifeless environment with one that teems with a diversity of plants that would in turn support a diversity of animal life.
3.4 To provide an educational opportunity and to create an awareness of invasive species for staff, Club members and the local community.

4. RESPONSIBILITIES

While the primary responsibility of the removal of invasive species rests with TSC management and DWAF, responsibility also rests with Club members, especially those who lease permanent sites. Club members who lease permanent sites will be responsible for the planting of indigenous species and the removal and replacement of inappropriate species on their sites as specified by Club management.

Appendix A
This is the complete list of invasive species as published by National Biodiversity Institute (NBI), Kirstenbosch
Abyssinian' coleus Plectranthus comosus Sims Category 3
Aleppo grass Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. Category 2
Aleppo pine Pinus halepensis Mill. Category 2
Ant Tree Triplaris americana L. Category 1
American bramble Rubus cuneifolius Pursh and hybrid Category 1
Australian Albizia Paraserianthes lophantha (Willi.) Category 1
Australian blackwood Acacia melanoxylon R.Br. Category 2
Australian cheesewood Pittosporum undulatum Vent. Category 1
Australian myrtle Leptospermum laevigatum (Gaertn.) Category 1
Australian silky oak Grevillea robusta A.Cunn. ex R.Br. Category 3
Azolla Azolla filiculoides Lam. Category 1
Bailey's wattle Acacia baileyana F.Muell. Category 3
Balloon vine Cardiospermum grandiflorum Sw. Category 1
Banana poka Passiflora mollissima (Kunth) Category 1
Bananadilla Passiflora mollissima (Kunth) Category 1
Barbados gooseberry Pereskia aculeata Mill. Category 1
Beefwood Casuarina cunninghamiana Miq. Category 2 (Not for use in dune stabilisation)
Belhambra Phytolacca dioica L. Category 3
Black ironbark Eucalyptus sideroxylon A.Cunn. Category 2
Black locust Robinia pseudoacacia L. Category 2 (Only for use as rootstock if authorised by Executive Officer in terms of regulation 15B(10))
Black wattle Acacia meamsii De Wild. Category 2
Bloodberry Rivina humilis L. Category 1
Blue echium Echium vulgare L. Category 1
Blue passion flower Passiflora caerulea L. Category 1
Brazilian pepper tree Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi Mult categories
Brazilian guava Psidium guineense Sw. Category 3
Bridal wreath Anredera cordifolia (Ten.) Steenis Category 1
Brittle willow Salix fragilis L. Category 2 (Not to be confused with indigenous species)
Bugweed Solanum mauritianum Scop. Category 1
Burweed Achyranthes aspera L. Category 1
Butterfly orchid tree Bauhinia purpurea L. Category 3
Californian privet Ligustrum ovalifolium Hassk. Category 3
Camel thorn bush Alhagi maurorum Medik. Category 1
Camphor tree Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J.Presl Mult categories
Canadian water weed Elodea canadensis Michx. Category 1
Canary pine Pinus canariensis C.Sm. Category 2
Castor - oil plant Ricinus communis L Category 2
Cat's claw creeper Macfadyena unguis-cati (L.) Category 1
Chandelier plant Bryophyllum delagoense (Eckl.) Category 1
Cherry pie Lantana - all seedbearing forms Category 1
Chilean cestrum Cestrum parqui L'Hér. Category 1
Chinese privet Ligustrum sinense Lour. Category 3
Chinese tamarisk Tamarix chinensis Lour. Mult categories
Chinese wax - leaved privet Ligustrum lucidum Aiton Category 3 (Only for use as root-stock if authorised by the Executive official in terms of regulation 15C(5))
Chir pine Pinus roxburghii Sarg. Category 2
Chromolaena Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King Category 1
Clover broomrape Orobanche minor Sm. Category 1
Cluster pine Pinus pinaster Aiton Category 2
Cochineal prickly pear Opuntia monacantha Haw. Category 1
Common dodder Cuscuta campestris Yunck. Category 1
Common mulberry Morus alba L. Category 3 (Excluding cultivar "Pendula", and only for use as root-stock if authorised by the Executive official in terms of regulation 15C(5))
Common privet Ligustrum vulgare L. Category 3
Common thorn apple Datura stramonium L. Category 1
Coral Bush Ardisia crenata Sims Mult categories
Coralberry tree Ardisia crenata Sims Mult categories
Cotoneaster Cotoneaster franchetii Boiss. Category 3
Crack willow Salix fragilis L. Category 2 (Not to be confused with indigenous species)
Crimson cestrum Cestrum elegans (Brongn.) Schtdl. Category 1
Crofton weed Ageratina adenophora (Spreng.) Category 1
Dense-thorned bitter apple Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam. Category 1
Dense water weed Egeria densa Planch. Category 1
Devil's pumpkin Passiflora suberosa L. Category 1
Downy thorn apple Datura innoxia Mill. Category 1
Drooping prickly pear Opuntia monacantha Haw. Category 1
Durban guava Psidium x durbanensis Baijnath ined. Category 1
Eglantine Rosa rubiginosa L. Category 1
European blackberry Rubus fruticosus L. agg. Category 2
European gorse Ulex europaeus L. Category 1
False lebbeck Albizia procera (Roxb.) Benth. Category 1
Feathertop Pennisetum villosum R.Br. ex Fresen. Category 1
Field bindweed Convolvulus arvensis L. Category 1
Formosa lily Lilium formosanum A. Wallace Category 3
Fountain grass Pennisetum setaceum (Forssk.) Category 1 (Excluding sterile cultivar "Rubrum")
Giant reed Arundo donax L. Category 1
Giant sensitive plant Mimosa pigra L . Category 3
Golden wattle Acacia pycnantha Benth. Category 1
Granadina Passiflora subpeltata Ortega Category 1
Green wattle Acacia decurrens (Wendi.) Willd. Category 2
Grey ironbark Eucalyptus paniculata Sm. Category 2
Grey poplar Populus x canescens (Aiton) Sm. Category 2
Guava Psidium guajava L. Category 2
Harrisia cactus Harrisia martinii (Labour.) Britton Category 1
Himalayan firethorn Pyracantha crenulata (D.Don) Category 3
Hoary candaria Lepidium draba L. Category 1
Honey mesquite Prosopis glandulosa Torr. Var. Category 2
Honey locust Gleditsia triacanthos L. Category 2 (Excluding sterile cultivars)
Horsetail tree Casuarina equisetifolia L. Category 2 (Not for use in dune stabilisation)
Imbricate cactus Opuntia imbricata (Haw.) DC. Category 1
Imbricate prickly pear Opuntia imbricata (Haw.) DC. Category 1
Indian laurel Litsea glutinosa (Lour.) C.B.Rob. Category 1
Indian shot Canna indica L. Category 1 (Excluding hybrid cultivars)
Indigo berry Passiflora suberosa L. Category 1
Inkberry Cestrum laevigatum Schtdl. Category 1
Invading ageratum Ageratum conyzoides L. Category 1
Jacaranda Jacaranda mimosifolia D.Don Category 3 (Excluding sterile cultivar "Alba")
Jambolan Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels Category 3
Japanese wax - leaved privet Ligustrum japonicum Thunb. Category 3
Johnson grass Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. Category 2
Jointed cactus Opuntia aurantiaca Lindl. Category 1
Kahili ginger lily Hedychium gardnerianum Category 1
Kangaroo wattle Acacia paradoxa DC. Category 1
Kariba weed Salvinia molesta D.S.Mitch. Category 1(And other species of the family Salviniaceae)
Karri Eucalyptus diversicolor F.Muell. Category 2
Kudzu vine Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi Category 1
Lantana Lantana - all seedbearing forms Category 1
Large cocklebur Xanthium strumarium L . Category 1
Large flowered prickly pear Opuntia humifusa (Raf.) Raf. Category 1
Large round-leaved prickly pear Opuntia spinulifera Salm-Dyck Category 1
Large thorn apple Datura ferox L. Category 1
Lebbeck tree Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. Category 1
Lesser broomrape Orobanche minor Sm. Category 1
Leucaena Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit Mult categories
Loblolly pine Pinus taeda L. Category 2
Long - leaved wattle Acacia longifolia (Andr.) Willd. Category 1
Long spine cactus Opuntia exaltata A.Berger Category 1
Longifolia pine Pinus roxburghii Sarg. Category 2
Loquat Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl. Category 3
Lucerne dodder Cuscuta suaveolens Ser. Category 1
Madeira vine Anredera cordifolia (Ten.) Steenis Category 1
Manatoka Myoporum tenuifolium G.Forst. Category 3
Matchwood poplar Populus x canescens (Aiton) Sm. Category 2
Mauritius thorn Caesalpinia decapetala (Roth) Alston Category 1
Mexican ageratum Ageratum houstonianum Mill Category 1 (Excluding cultivars)
Mexican sunflower Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A.Gray Category 1
Mission prickly pear Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. Category 1 (Excluding spineless cactus pear cultivars and selections)
Mistflower Ageratina riparia (Regel) R.M.King Category 1
Monterey pine Pinus radiata D.Don Category 2
Montpellier broom Cytisus monspessulanus L. Category 1
Moon cactus Harrisia martinii (Labour.) Britton Category 1
Moonflower Ipomoea alba L. Mult categories
Morning glory Ipomoea indica (Burm.f.) Merr. Mult categories
Morning glory Ipomoea purpurea (L.) Roth Category 3
Moth catcher Araujia sericifera Brot. Category 1
Nassella tussock Nassella trichotoma (Nees) Arech. Category 1
New Zealand christmas tree Metrosideros excelsa Sol. ex Gaertn. Category 3
Old man saltbush Atriplex nummularia Lindl. Category 2
Oleander Nerium oleander L. Category 1 (Excluding sterile, double-flowered cultivars)
Orange cestrum Cestrum aurantiacum Lindl. Category 1
Orchid tree Bauhinia variegata L. Category 3
Pampas grass Cortaderia jubata (Lem.) Stapf Category 1
Pampas grass Cortaderia selloana (Schult.) Asch. Category 1 (Excluding sterile cultivars)
Parrot's feather Myriophyllum aquaticum (Vell.) Verdc. Category 1
Parthenium Parthenium hysterophorus L. Category 1
Patterson's curse Echium plantagineum L. Category 1
Patula pine Pinus patula Schltdl. & Cham. Category 2
Peanut butter cassia Senna didymobotrya (Fresen.) lrwin Category 3
Pearl acacia Acacia podalyriifolia A.Cunn. Category 3
Pepper - cress Lepidium draba L. Category 1
Pepper tree wattle Acacia elata A.Cunn. ex Benth. Category 3
Persian lilac Melia azedarach L. Category 3
Pest pear of Australia Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. Category 1
Pickerel weed Pontederia cordata L. Category 3
Pink tamarisk Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb. Mult categories
Pitanga Eugenia uniflora L. Mult categories
Pom pom weed Camputoclinium macrocephalum Category 1
Port Jackson Acacia saligna (Labill.) H.L.Wendl. Category 2
Potato creeper Solanum seaforthianum Andr. Category 1
Purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria L. Category 1
Queen of the Night Cereus jamacaru DC. Category 1
Radiata pine Pinus radiata D.Don Category 2
Rambling cassia Senna bicapsularis (L.) Roxb. Category 3
Red eye Acacia cyclops A.Cunn. ex G.Don Category 2
Red ginger lily Hedychium coccineum Sm. Category 1
Red ironbark Eucalyptus sideroxylon A.Cunn. Category 2
Red river gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. Category 2
Red sesbania Sesbania punicea (Cav.) Benth. Category 1
Red sunflower Tithonia rotundifolia (Mill.) S.F.Blake Category 1
Red water fern Azolla filiculoides Lam. Category 1
Rivina Rivina humilis L. Category 1
Rock hakea Hakea gibbosa (Sm.) Cav. Category 1
Rose apple Syzygium jambos (L.) Alston Category 3
Rose gum Eucalyptus grandis W.Hill ex Maiden Category 2
Rosea cactus Opuntia fulgida Engelm. Category 1
Saligna gum Eucalyptus grandis W.Hill ex Maiden Category 2
Saucepan cactus Opuntia spinulifera Salm-Dyck Category 1
Scotch broom Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link Category 1
Scotch thistle Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. Category 1
Screw - pod wattle Acacia implexa Benth. Category 1
Silky hakea Hakea sericea Schrad. & J.C.Wendl Category 1
Silver - leaf cotoneaster Cotoneaster pannosus Franch. Category 3
Silver wattle Acacia dealbata Link Mult categories
Silver-leaf bitter apple Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. Category 1
Singapore daisy Thelechitonia trilobata (L.) H.Rob. Mult categories
Sisal Agave sisalana Perrine Category 2
Slash pine Pinus elliotti Engelm. Category 2
Small round - leaved prickly pear Opuntia lindheimeri Engelm. Category 1
Spanish broom Spartium junceum L. Category 1
Spanish reed Arundo donax L. Category 1
Spear thistle Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. Category 1
Spider gum Eucalyptus lehmannii (Schauer) Mult categories
Spiked water-milfoil Myriophyllum spicatum L. Category 1
Spiny cocklebur Xanthium spinasum L. Category 1
Sponge - fruit saltbush Atriplex lindleyi Moq. Subsp. inflata Category 3
St Joseph's lily Lilium formosanum A. Wallace Category 3
St. John's wort Hypericum perforatum L. Category 2
Stink bean Paraserianthes lophantha (Willi.) Category 1
Strawberry guava Psidium cattleianum Sabine Category 3
Sugar gum Eucalyptus cladocalyx F.Muell. Category 2
Surinam cherry Eugenia uniflora L. Mult categories
Sveetbriar Rosa rubiginosa L. Category 1
Sweet hakea Hakea drupacea (C.F.Gaertn.) Roem. Category 1
Sweet locust Gleditsia triacanthos L. Category 2 (Excluding sterile cultivars)
Sweet pittosporum Pittosporum undulatum Vent. Category 1
Sweet prickly pear Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. Category 1 (Excluding spineless cactus pear cultivars and selections)
Sword fern Nephrolepis exaltata (L.) Schott Category 3 (Excluding cultivars)
Syringa Melia azedarach L. Category 3
Tickberry Lantana - all seedbearing forms Category 1
Tipton weed Hypericum perforatum L. Category 2
Tipu tree Tipuana tipu (Benth.) Kuntze Category 3
Toon tree Toona ciliata M.Roem. Category 3
Torch cactus Echinopsis spachiana (Lem.) Fiedrich Category 1
Tree - of - heaven Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle Category 3
Tree daisy Montanoa hibiscifolia Benth. Category 1
Triffid weed Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King Category 1
Triplaris Triplaris americana L. Category 1
Trumpet lily Lilium formosanum A. Wallace Category 3
Velvet mesquite Prosopis velutina Wooton Category 2
Water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes (C.Mart.) Solms Category 1
Water lettuce Pistia stratiotes L. Category 1
Watercress Rorippa nasturtium - aquaticum (L.) Category 2
Wax tree Rhus succedanea L. Category 1
Weeping willow Salix babylonica L. Category 2 (Not to be confused with indigenous species)
White ginger lily Hedychium coronarium J. König Category 1
White mulberry Morus alba L. Category 3 (Excluding cultivar "Pendula", and only for use as root-stock if authorised by the Executive official in terms of regulation 15C(5))
White poplar Populus alba L. Category 2
White tussock Nassella tenuissima (Trin.) Barkworth Category 1
White-flowered Mexican poppy Argemone ochroleuca Sweet Category 1
White top Lepidium draba L. Category 1
Wild tomato Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam. Category 1
Wild morning glory Convolvulus arvensis L. Category 1
Wild tobacco Nicotiana glauca Graham Category 1
Woolly plectranthus Plectranthus comosus Sims Category 3
Yellow bells Tecoma stans (L.) Kunth Category 1
Yellow cestrum Cestrum aurantiacum Lindl. Category 1
Yellow firethorn Pyracantha angustifolia (Franch.) Category 3 (Excluding cultivars)
Yellow ginger lily Hedychium flavescens Roscoe Category 1
Yellow oleander Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) K.Schum. Category 1
Yellow-flowered Mexican poppy Argemone mexicana L. Category 1
 
Appendix B
List of invasive species that have been identified at TSC as being immediate problem species, thereby being targeted for systematic eradication and are no longer to be planted under any circumstance:
Beefwood Casuarina cunninghamiana
Black wattle Acacia mearnsii
Brazilian pepper tree Schinus terebinthifolius
Indian Shot canna indica
Pine trees Pinus various species
Port Jackson Acacia saligna
Red Sesbania Sesbania punicea
Rooikranz Acacia cyclops
Spanish broom Spartium junceum
Syringa Melia azadarch
Weeping willow Salix babylonica (Not to be confused with indigenous species)

Appendix C
Short list of indigenous species that have been identified as appropriate for planting and replacement of invasive species at TSC:

Trees
African holly Ilex mitis
Cape ash Ekebergia capensis
Cape beech Rapanea melanophloeos
Cape willow Salix mucronata
Cluster fig Ficus sur
Coast silver oak Brachylaena discolor
Common wild fig Ficus thonningii
Coral tree Erythrina lysistemon
Dune crow-berry rhus chrenata
False olive Buddleja Saligna
Forest elder Nuxia floribunda
Karee Rhus lancea
Kei apple Dovyalis caffra
Keurboom Virgilia oroboides
Ponpon tree dias cotinifolia
Sweet thorn Acacia karroo
Water berry Syzgium cordatum
Wild camphor bush Tarchonanthus camphoratus
Wild peach Kiggeleria africana
Wild plum harpephyllum caffrum
White karee Rhus pendulina
White stinkwood Celtis africana
Yellowwood Podacarpus henkelii

Shrubs
Agapantha (most forms)
Aloes (most forms)
Buchu Diosma ericoides
Bulbine (both yellow and multi-colour)
Cape honeysuckle Tecomaria capensis
Chasmanthe (two forms)
Coastal sage salvia africana-lutea
Crane flower Strelitzia reginae
Dekriet Chondropetalum tectorum
Erica (most forms)
Gazania (4 forms)
Honey-bell bush Freylinia lanceolata
Kooigoed Helichrysum petiolare
Kouterbossie Athanasia parviflora
Mesembryanthamums (most forms)
Mickey mouse bush Ochna serrulata
Noem-Noem Carissa bispinosa
Plumbago Plumbago auriculata
Porkbush Portulacaria afra
Pride of the kaap Bauhinia galpinii
Proteas (most forms)
Red hot poker kniphopia (three forms)
Renosterbos Elytropappus rhinocerotis
Sagewood buddleja salvifolia
Seeroogblommetjie Hypoestes aristata
September bush Polygala myrtifolia
Watsonia (most forms)
Weeping sage buddleja auriculata
Wild iris Dietes grandiflora
Wilde dagga Leonotis leonurus
Wolhaarpuisbos Euryops pectinatus