Chilean glory creeper

Chilean glory creeper is a perennial twining vine that grows to 6 metres tall.

Description

• Stems are branched and woody near the base and evergreen or deciduous in colder climates.

• Leaves are thin, alternate and generally oval with prominent veins.

• Flowers are tubular, orange/red 25mm long visible from September to May.

• Fruits are oval slightly wrinkled capsules 45mm long that contain black-winged seeds.

• Seeds are dispersed by wind and fragments by water, soil, and vehicle movement.

• Habitats include open scrub, forest and riparian margins, and wasteland.

What you need to know

Chilean glory creeper smothers and suppresses native vegetation.

Management approach

Chilean glory 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 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.

To help protect our environment:

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 3 times per year. Encourage natural regeneration of native plants or replant treated areas where possible after 2–3 treatments to establish dense ground cover and minimise reinvasion.

Physical control

Dig or pull-out small plants and seedlings

Plant parts requiring disposal: all parts (except vines if left to die in trees)

Contact your local council for appropriate disposal options

Chemical control

Where possible, trace the vines back to ground level, clear a small area around the base, and cut vines close to the ground and any aerial vines at waist height.

Immediately treat freshly cut stumps with herbicide gel containing glyphosate. The hanging vines can be left to die on the tree, shrub, or hedge, but ensure that they are clear of the ground so that they cannot take root again.

Foliar spray with 20ml glyphosate plus 2ml penetrant per 1L of water.

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