IT'S a weed that makes a perfect Instagram photo, yet farmers don't want to see the purple flowers in their paddocks.
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A quick search for the hashtag #patersonscurse certainly depicts some great photography though.
Paterson's Curse appears to be thriving across the Riverina landscape this spring on the back of some of the best rain the region has seen in years.
And while it might make a picturesque backdrop, primary producers want to get rid of it.
Agronomist and Mangoplah Farmer Don Kirkpatrick of "Maxwell Park," said when compared with years gone by the amount of Paterson's Curse about at the moment was certainly less.
He said Paterson's Curse was much worse 40 years ago in the 1970s. Yet it's still a talking point when people see large tracts of the characteristic purple plant.
He said the weed was a great example of how effective the use of biological control could be.
Australia has multiple different insects that attack the various stages of Paterson's Curse growth.
There's an array of beetles and moths that help to control the weed, however, landholders still use methods such as herbicide application and slashing to try and beat the growth and spread.
The same conditions which have allowed our winter crops to thrive and the rain which boosted pasture growth has also helped Paterson's Curse to take off this season.
Mr Kirkpatrick said the abundance of Paterson's Curse we were currently seeing had built up after a number of years of the seedbed forming.
And for those who are trying to control it there were several options to consider including spraying herbicide.
However, controlling Paterson's Curse once it was established in a pasture, and flowering, was more challenging than if it was found within a crop.
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Mr Kirkpatrick said it was important to control it without damaging the competing pasture.
"It's a resilient (weed)," Mr Kirkpatrick said.
Slashing can be effective, if done before flowering to prevent seed set. However, much of the Paterson's Curse in the Riverina is currently flowering.
He said once it was in flower there was sometimes an opportunity to graze it with sheep. Sheep were known to eat the purple flower.
Yet for horse owners Paterson's Curse was a bane because of it's dangerous toxicity.
Paterson's Curse is known by other names including Riverina bluebell, salvation Jane and blueweed.
Initially the weed was brought to Australia in the 1880s from the Mediterranean region as an ornamental garden plant.
- Do you have photographs of Paterson's Curse on your camera or phone? Share with The Rural by sending to nreynolds@therural.com.au