Chilean flame creeper

Chilean flame creeper is a perennial deciduous climber with bright flowers. It smothers native vegetation.

Description

Leaves are five-fingered, with leaflets less than 35 x 16mm.
Flowers are tubular, red or pink, less than 15mm in diameter and visible from November to April.
Berries are blue/black, less than 1cm in diameter and ripen from December to March.
Seeds dispersed by birds. Vegetative spread from root fragments.
Human-mediated dispersal through dumping of garden waste and deliberate planting.
Habitats include forest, scrub, disturbed sites and canopy gaps.

What you need to know

Smothers and suppresses native vegetation growth in forest and scrub ecosystems.

Management approach

Chilean flame 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 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 three treatments to establish dense ground cover and minimise reinvasion.

Physical control

Cut vines and leave upper stems to die in trees or dig out.

Plant parts requiring disposal: All parts (except vines left to die in trees).

Compost in a composting weed bag or contact your local council for appropriate disposal locations.

Chemical control

No qualifications: For small infestations, cut stump and paste freshly cut base of stems with double strength glyphosate gel or cut stump and spray freshly cut base with 200ml glyphosate per 1L of water.

Basic Growsafe certified: For small infestations, cut vines at waist height and foliar spray vines on the ground with 200ml glyphosate per 10L of water.

Certified handler/experienced agrichemical user: For medium to large infestations, cut vines at waist height and foliar spray vines on the ground with 200ml 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.