Back in January 2020 we posted: Dangerous and unwanted: Sea Spurge plants. Read that page to find out why this plant is so dangerous!
Warning: don’t touch this plant as it is toxic!
Unfortunately Sea Spurge has now been confirmed at Waikawa Beach. We’ve had this email from Ann Clark, Parks and Property Lead (South) | Kaiārahi ki te Tonga, Papa Rēhia, Rawa at Horowhenua District Council:
Sea Spurge – Horizons and Doc visiting Waikawa next Tuesday – keen to show and teach locals
Craig Davey from Horizons has confirmed that there is a patch of Sea Spurge at Waikawa Beach, and they are intending to visit the site on Tuesday [21 September 2021] along with DOC and HDC staff to see it in “person”.
They are keen to have anyone in the community join them so that others can see what it looks like and how it grows.
They aren’t intending to remove it immediately as it is currently not a threat as it’s not in flower, and it’s important for people to see it in a growing state rather than a lifeless.
At this stage we have been told Tuesday morning at 9am but a meeting location hasn’t been established.
I know they are keen to have as many people knowing what it looks like in situ so we can look to manage it going forward.
It is definitely spreading, initially there was one plant north of Foxton found 12 months ago and now there are 4 other sites identified to the south including the one at Waikawa Beach.
Will confirm meeting location as soon as we get a response.
Please join in on this plant identification meeting if you are able. The more people who can identify this plant, the better. Look out for confirmation of meeting place and time.
As a resident of Foxton Beach, I regularly walk out to Foxton Beach via forest and sand dunes so I will keep my eyes open for this Sea Splurge.
Usual residence: Other