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Title / Identify common weeds in amenity areas and describe control measures
Level / 3 / Credits / 10
Purpose / This unit standard is for people working, or intending to work, in amenity horticulture. People credited with this unit standard are able to: identify, collect, label and present a range of common horticultural weeds; identify, either in situ or ex situ a range of common horticultural weeds; explain the way common weeds survive and spread; and describe methods to control weed growth and spread.
Classification / Horticulture > Amenity Horticulture
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
1Primary Industry Training Organisation holds a list of weeds considered common in most areas, or that are well known. However, other species may be common in localised areas, and should not be excluded.
2Definitions
Unique identifier refers to a personal identifying object in the photograph that is used to determine that individual actually took the photograph themself.
In situ refers to in its original place.
Ex situ refers to away from its original place.
3Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes but is not limited to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996, and subsequent amendments.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Identify, collect, label and present a range of common horticultural weeds.
Evidence requirements
1.1Ten common horticultural weeds are identified; plant specimens are collected, pressed, dried and mounted, or photographed with a unique identifier.
Rangeweeds collected may include but are not limited to Primary Industry Training Organisation List.
1.2Plant specimens and/or photographs with a unique identifier are labelled and presented.
Rangelabel includes – botanical, common, and family names; identifying features, and site location.
Outcome 2
A range of common horticultural weeds are identified either in situ or ex situ, excluding previously collected or uniquely photographed specimens.
Evidence requirements
2.1Twenty common horticultural weeds are identified either in situ or ex situ, excluding previously collected or uniquely photographed specimens.
Rangeidentification includes – common and family names; identifying features.
Outcome 3
Explain the way common weeds survive and spread.
Evidence requirements
3.1Physical characteristics of weeds are identified.
Rangerhizomes, tubers, root or shoot segments, bulbs, seeds, stolons, physical and chemical defences.
3.2Weed adaptations for survival under common horticultural practices are described.
Rangegrowth rate and habit, seed production and dispersal, seeding height, pesticide resistance.
3.3Different environmental conditions are described in relation to weed growth and distribution.
Rangea minimum of three environmental conditions experienced in the local area.
Outcome 4
Describe methods to control weed growth and spread.
Evidence requirements
4.1The detrimental effects of weeds are explained in terms of problems caused to amenity horticulturists.
Rangeeffects – competition for light, moisture, and nutrients, aesthetic appearance.
4.2Weeds are categorised to assist in their control.
Rangedicotyledons, monocotyledons, broadleaf weeds, grass weeds, annuals, biennials, perennials.
4.3Methods of weed management are outlined in terms of their application methods and safety procedures.
Rangecultivation, mulching, chemicals, crop management, integrated management.
4.4Herbicides to control horticultural weeds are classified by mode of action.
Rangepre-emergence, contact, systemic, residual.
This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the standard must take place by the last date for assessment set out below.
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 28 January 1995 / 31 December 2013
Review / 2 / 28 November 1997 / 31 December 2013
Revision / 3 / 19 July 2001 / 31 December 2013
Revision / 4 / 24 February 2006 / 31 December 2013
Review / 5 / 20 June 2008 / 31 December 2015
Review / 6 / 18 August 2011 / 31 December 2015
Rollover / 7 / 17 October 2013 / 31 December 2015
Rollover / 8 / 17 September 2015 / 31 December 2019
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0032
This CMR can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Primary Industry Training OrganisationSSB Code 101558 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2019