INVADERS A POOR INVESTMENT

Some of Australia's worst plant invaders were originally intended to
bring in a dollar, but now they're costing the country millions.


''Dr McFadyen says that it is vitally important to establish controls
and management practices where plant species are of high economic
benefit, but where they could also pose a threat as weeds.

"In only a few cases here and overseas has there been any serious
attempt to develop guidelines for particular species," she says.

Recent proposals of dubious value, according to Dr McFadyen, include
schemes to establish plantations of physic nut (Jatropha curcas) for
biodiesel in northern Australia. A close relative of bellyache bush
(Jatropha gossypifolia), the idea has already been rejected by
scientists as unwise. Not only is the plant a serious weed risk, it
is also highly toxic to people and animals, she says.''
http://www.sciencealert.com.au/stories/CRCA/investment.htm