Fo-Ti

Fo-Ti is a rapidly growing perennial bushy vine that is used frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Description

• Can grow between two and four metres tall.

• Stems are pale green or red.

• Leaves range from 3-7cm in length and 2-5cm wide.

• Flowers are small, green/white, and arranged on branched stems 10-20cm long.

• Spreads from stem fragments via contaminating gardening tools and machinery.

• Habitats include forests, orchards, nurseries, and gardens.

What you need to know

Fo-Ti can quickly grow into dense infestations in forests, smothering and killing native plants.

It may be shared by people among the community who grow it for traditional medicinal purposes and might not be aware of the problems associated with it.

Traditional Chinese medicinal products can be purchased from stores.

Management approach

Fo-Ti 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, or multiplied, communicated, released, or cause to be released, or otherwise spread.

Control

Do not attempt to undertake control of Fo-Ti yourself. Report any sightings to us.