Ice plant

Ice plant is a succulent herb, planted for its hardiness in beach gardens.

Description

• Stems are 6 metres long; leaves are triangular and finger shaped.

• It has many petalled yellow flowers that turn pinkish-orange with age developing into fleshy fruit containing seed.

• Seeds are dispersed by mammals. Vegetative spread from stem fragments.

• Habitats include coastal cliffs and sand dunes.

What you need to know

Ice plant smothers and competes with native vegetation and modifies soil chemistry. Reduces germination and survival of native vegetation and decreases native species’ richness. Affects genetic diversity of related native species through hybridisation.

Management approach

Ice plant 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.

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

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 out.

Plant parts requiring disposal: All parts.

Contact your local council for appropriate disposal locations

Chemical control

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.