Dangerous, invasive plants are high on the threat list

An increased spread of dangerous or restricted plants online due to the COVID-19 lockdown has seen fears that potentially eco-system devastating plant life will spread to the region's waterways.

Both water hyacinths and frogbit are among the plants currently listed as prohibited, and carry a hefty punishment if anyone is found to possess or been trading in them.

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"It can be a very, very large number in fines or 3 years in jail, but we find that about ninety percent of people who are putting it up for sale, or have acquired some, don't really have any idea what things like water hyacinth and frogbit actually are," Local Land Council's Megan Wyllie said about the campaign.

"There's been a lot of instances where people have purchased it or put it up for sale on the facebook marketplace and things like that, we contact them and they've had no idea it was as dangerous or illegal as it is."

Frogbit is a particular cause for concern, as many purchase it for decorative purposes, then dispose of the water it's behind held in into local waterways.

The highly invasive and tough to eradicate plant then clogs the waterways up, and has even been known to cause livestock deaths.

"We've seen birds and other animals drown and stock often mistake it for grass, get too close and fall in and die in that way, so it can cause a lot of issues," Ms Wyllie said.

While it's unlikely that anyone who has received the plant unknowingly would face punishment, Local Land Services are urging those with any information to come forward so the plants can be eradicated.

"We are urging people who see these plants traded online or even at local markets, to call Crime Stoppers so the trader can be contacted and educated and any prohibited matter destroyed," Ms Wyllie said.

While frogbit in Australia is typically associated with the North Coast in NSW, an outbreak was traced back to a region as close as Cowra only late last year.