Balloon vine

Balloon vine is a woody, perennial, canopy climber that can climb up into trees or spread at ground level.

Description

• Yellow hairs on a ribbed stem, and compound leaves of nine thin, coarsely toothed, light green, hairy leaflets (2.5-10 cm long) arranged in groups of three. Small balloon vine is very similar, just smaller and not hairy.

• Clusters of white to pale yellow flowers with four petals produced from summer to winter. Tendrils grow from the base of the flower stalk.

• Balloon-like fruit has three thin, papery walls, ripening from green to straw-coloured in autumn, containing three black seeds.

• Seed capsules are spread by wind and water, and also by suckering and root fragments.

• Habitats include riparian and forest margins, wetlands, disturbed forest, roadsides, and wasteland.

What you need to know

Balloon vine aggressively smothers native vegetation in wetlands, forests, and riparian margins. Can cause canopy collapse.

Management approach

Balloon vine is declared an unwanted organism by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) because it is capable of causing harm to the natural environment, physical resources or human health in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

These species pose a high risk to our environment, economy, recreation, and cultural values.

Control

Do not attempt to undertake control of balloon vine yourself. Report any sightings to us.