Mare's tail

Mare’s tail is an evergreen aquatic perennial that grows as a ground cover or fully submerged. New shoots look like miniature pine trees.

Description

• Leaves occur in whorls (spiral pattern) of 6-12, are soft and narrow.

• Stems are solid and unbranched by often curve and can be up to 60cm long. In shallow water they project 20-30cm out of the water.

• Flowers are inconspicuous and green/yellow but not all plants produce them.

• Seeds dispersed by wind and via fragments from rhizomes.

• Habitats include slow moving or stagnant waters as well as receding shores.

What you need to know

Mare’s tail can spread rapidly forming dense colonies that outcompete other native plants. It can also obstruct water flow.

Management approach

Mare's tail is declared an unwanted organism by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) because it is capable of causing harm to the natural environment, physical resources or human health in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

These species pose a high risk to our environment, economy, recreation, and cultural values.

Rules

Any species declared a pest, including unwanted organisms, cannot be sold or be in a place where plants are being sold. Pest plants cannot be propagated, bred, or multiplied, communicated, released, or cause to be released, or otherwise spread.

Control

Do not attempt to undertake control of mare's tail yourself. Report any sightings to us.

If you've been in a waterway and plan to move to another within 48 hours, you must clean all your gear that has been wet using the 'Check, Clean, Dry' method.

It's vital that everyone uses the Check, Clean, Dry method on all equipment and vessels to stop freshwater pests.