Bridal creeper

Scrambling or twining perennial herb no taller than three metres. Bridal creeper smothers native plants and prevents seedling establishment.

Description

• Leaves are broadly oval, pointed and less than 35 x 15mm.
• Flowers are green/white and occur in winter.
• Fruits are round, red berries.
• Roots are densely clustered, white, fleshy and tuberous.
• Seeds are dispersed by birds, vegetative spread by root fragments which can be aided by water and soil movement.
• Habitat includes forests, forest margins, shrublands, roadsides, wastelands, hedgerows, gardens, and coastal areas.

What you need to know

Forms dense stands that smother low-growing native and desirable plants and prevents seedling establishment.

Management approach

Bridal creeper 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.

Rules

Any species declared a pest, including unwanted organisms, cannot be sold or be in a place where plants are being sold. Pest plants cannot be propagated, bred, multiplied, communicated, released, caused to be released, or otherwise spread.

Consider removing this invasive species from your property and consult your local council for appropriate disposal. Consider lower-risk alternatives for your garden, such as native plants.

Control

Site management

Cut and pull bridal creeper away from desirable trees and native plants before foliar spraying. Follow up treated areas three times per year. Encourage natural regeneration of native plants or replant treated areas where possible after two to three treatments to establish dense ground cover and minimise reinvasion.

Physical control

Dig or pull plants out.

Plant parts requiring disposal: tubers, roots and seeds.

Contact your local council for appropriate disposal locations.

Chemical control

No qualifications: Foliar spray with 200ml glyphosate per 10L of water.

Certified handler/experienced agrichemical user: Foliar spray with 200ml glyphosate per 10L of water and 10ml penetrant.

Do not add penetrant when spraying against tree trunks.

Caution: When using any herbicide or pesticide please read the label thoroughly to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.

Biological control

A biological control agent is bridal creeper rust (Puccinia myrsiphylli).