An invasive plant threatening to take over Katherine has been found spreading rapidly along roadsides, and is believed to have been brought in by cattle trucks from Queensland.
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The non-native plant to Katherine, called Solanum sisymbriifolium, or sticky nightshade, might look pretty on the verges with its purple flower, but its thorny stems are a risk to animals and humans.
"If you had a paddock full of them you wouldn't want to walk through it," Katherine Mayor Lis Clark said.
In less than three months, more than 300 plants have been ripped from the ground in a small 10 kilometre radius, in a bid to stop the spread.
Today, Katherine's Mayor Lis Clark and Alderman Peter Gazey pulled up their 307th and have the scars to prove it.
"We're classing it as a weed because we've not seen it in Katherine before," Ms Clark said.
To the Department of Primary Industry, however, the plant is a native, and should not be removed.
"According to the internet it is found in Mount Isa," Ms Clark said.
"I've been told the plant is a native and that it should be left, but I've been here 50 years and my partner and I owned a nursery for 30 years and we have certainly never seen it before.
"As it is on the verges, it is within council's remit to look after them, and keep them tidy."
With high concentrations of the plant growing on the right hand side going down Florina Road, and dozens found on Zimmin Drive, it is believed the plant has fallen off cattle trucks barrelling in from Queensland.
"The first one I saw was on the road to Edith Falls, and when I saw it I almost died because I had never seen one before," Ms Clark said.
The amount spotted since has had the council on edge, and every attempt to remove them has been made.
"The fruits, which are edible, are a bit like a tomato, so filled with seeds that spread quickly," Ms Clark said.
"They have very sharp, pointy thorns and if you get a stab it's sore for weeks."
Ms Clark said she is urging anyone who sees the plant to contact the council with information about its location.
"We really wouldn't want to see this spread all over Katherine."
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