English ivy

Evergreen, perennial, root-climbing vines around 4m tall with woody stems when mature. English ivy smothers other plants as well as causing contact dermatitis.

Description

• Leaves usually have three to five lobes with midrib veins radiating from a single point.
• Flowers are yellow/green and grow on pedicels from a single point in late winter to early summer.
• Berries are deep purple/black and occur in autumn.
• Seeds are dispersed by birds or wind. Vegetative spread occurs from stem fragments.
• Human-mediated dispersal occurs through the dumping of garden waste and deliberate plantings.
• Habitats include roadsides, fences, gardens, near waterways, cliffs, forests, forest margins, and wastelands.

What you need to know

Smothers other plants, forms dense mats, preventing regeneration of other vegetation. Potential to alter decomposition dynamics and nutrient cycling. English ivy can cause contact dermatitis.

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 metsulfuron gel.

Certified handler/experienced agrichemical user: Cut stump and spray freshly cut base with 2g metsulfuron-methyl per 1L of water.

Alternatively, foliar spray with 5g metsulfuron-methyl 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.