Cape ivy

Cape ivy is a perennial scrambling herb about 2m tall with arrow-shaped and toothed leaves. It smothers plants and prevents the regeneration of native vegetation.

Description

• Flowers are yellow and occur in clusters during autumn and winter. Seeds are fluffy.
• Seeds are dispersed by wind. Vegetative spread occurs from runners (horizontal stem near the ground that produces shoots and roots).
• Human-mediated dispersal occurs through the dumping of garden waste.
• Habitats include coastal areas, dunes, cliffs, roadsides, fences, gardens, near waterways, forests, forest margins, wastelands, grasslands, and shrublands.

What you need to know

Smothers other plants, forms dense mats, preventing regeneration of other vegetation.

Management approach

Community Led

These organisms have not been legally declared as pests but may be of interest to the public as they occur regularly in the environment. They may be capable of causing adverse effects to the values of Waitaha/Canterbury.

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 vines 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 six treatments to establish dense ground cover and minimise reinvasion.

Physical control

Dig or pull plants.

Plant parts requiring disposal: all plant parts.

Contact your local council for appropriate disposal locations.

Chemical control

No qualifications: Cut stump and paste freshly cut base of stems with glyphosate gel or cut stump and spray freshly cut base with 100ml glyphosate per 1L of water.

Certified handler/experienced agrichemical user: Foliar spray with 100ml glyphosate per 10L of water and 20ml penetrant.

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

Biological control

Biological control is currently not available for this species.