Protecting Australia's Coastal Ecosystems
Innovative biocontrol research to manage the spread of Polygala myrtifolia
About The PolyGone Project
Our Mission
The PolyGone Project aims to identify and introduce natural insect and/or fungal biocontrol agents to manage the invasive South African weed Polygala myrtifolia along Australia's southern coastlines. Our scientific research focuses on ecological solutions to protect Australian native ecosystems. Please join us in preserving Australia's unique coastal environments.
Please join our iNaturalist Project
Videos
As If For a Thousand Years
This video by Garry Kerr explains the genesis of the PolyGone Project
The Invasion of the Bellarine Peninsula 2026
Our ancestors built Fort Queenscliff in 1860 to repel the Russians (believe it or not!). The Russians never turned up. Instead, Queenscliff (and many other parts of the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula) were invaded by a South African weed: Polygala myrtifolia. Nothing has yet been done to attack this successful invader!
In the Koonya Grassy Bowl with Blairgowrie Friends
Blairgowrie Friends of Mornington Peninsula National Park have been removing Polygala myrtifolia from Koonya Grassy Bowl for several years. It's hard work doing this by hand!
Poly m on the Bellarine in 2026
More on the invasion of Queenscliff near the Fort
The Invasion of Queenscliff 2026
We plan to build a biological fortress to defeat this enemy in the 21st century
The PolyGone Project photo gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
Please contact us at polygoneproject26@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Polygala myrtifolia (common names include Myrtle-leaf Milkwort and Cascade Curse) is a flowering shrub which grows to around 3 metres high and wide. It is a member of the pea family of Polygalaceae plants. It appears to have originated in South Africa but can be found today around the world, especially in sandy coastal zones where it grows prolifically. Its botanical name comes from Ancient Greek: "poly" means much and "gala" means milk - deriving from an ancient myth that consuming polygala increased milk supply in mammals, which turns out to be completely false!
Polygala myrtifolia is a problem in Australia because, unlike South Africa, Australian Polygala myrtifolia has no natural predators. No animal, insect, bird or fungus in Australia eats Polygala. So wherever Polygala myrtifolia grows in Australia, it grows out of control. Also, Polygala myrtifolia loves temperate coastal sand dune areas. Australia has lots of these, from WA through SA to Victoria, NSW and Tasmania. Unsurprisingly, this is where Polygala myrtifolia thrives best in Australia.
Polygala myrtifolia grows all across the Southern coastal regions of Australia, from WA through SA to Victoria, NSW and Tasmania. It is spreading up the Eastern coast and has been recorded in Port Stephens.
A bioconrol is a natural biological agent that eats or poisons a host plant. Typically biocontrols are insects or fungi.
In its native environment, South Africa, there are several insects and at least one fungus that are known to predate upon Polygala myrtifolia. That is why Polygala myrtifolia is not regarded as a pest weed in South Africa. None of these biocontrols exist in Australia, which is why Polygala myrtifolia is a major invasive pest weed here.
The PolyGone Project has started in Australia, with the collection of seeds and other preliminary works for the scientific testing of the biocontrol vectors (insects and fungi) in South Africa. If the vectors prove to be safe and effective for Australian conditions, then a process of appproval will begin with the Austrailian authorities which are responsible for biological safety. The whole PolyGone project will take between 5 and 8 years to complete, depending upon progress in its various stages.
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PolyGone Project Progress Reports
Further information about the PolyGone Project
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