Listing of Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) as a declared weed

The petition of the undersigned Residents of Tasmania draws to the attention of the House:

• The introduced ornamental plant commonly known as Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is an annual, biennial, or perennial plant that reproduces from seed, which spreads easily by wind, water, garden waste, bumblebee pollination, wildlife dispersal and transport by vehicle and machinery movement;
• It flourishes in a wide variety of conditions, from open and sunny through to damp, shady places, especially in disturbed soil; Tasmania's acidic soils provide ideal conditions for its growth;
• It excludes native flora and consequently native fauna;
• Its leaves, flowers and seeds contain the cardiac glycoside digitoxin, which can be absorbed through the skin and is extremely poisonous, even fatal, to humans, wildlife and livestock;
• The exponential growth rate of this plant across Tasmanian private land, agricultural land and bushland is alarming, due to the ease with which it reproduces and the difficulty inherent in its complete removal from sites of infestation;
• Seeds may remain viable for decades; and
• Despite the dangers of the plant, it is still sold in garden centres and promoted as an ornamental plant for home gardens.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to call on the Tasmanian Government to declare Digitalis purpurea a declared weed under the Weed Management Act 1999 due to its adverse impact on the Tasmanian landscape, flora and fauna, as described in Section 9(1) of the Act.