Flowers are bought and sold as gifts around the world. While they can be used to demonstrate love, care or compassion, they can also spread nationally significant weeds.
Pampas grass is a highly invasive plant that competes with native vegetation and is a fire hazard. Despite being banned from sale in parts of the country, the plant is increasingly making an appearance in floral displays at weddings, social events and on social media.
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The ban doesn’t seem to be impacting the floristry industry either. The weed is readily found along roads and urban water courses; combined with high demand in the market florists have continued to use the product.
Other weeds used in the floristry industry include asparagus fern, privet and camphor laurel.