Monkey’s comb

Monkey’s comb is a fast-growing woody vine with heart shaped leaves. It smothers and outcompetes other plants.

Description

• Leaves are soft bright green, oval to heart shaped, are 2.5-8cm long and 2-6cm wide.

• Arranged in opposite pairs along the stem. Made up of 2-3 leaflets, with the third leaflet often replaced by a coiled tendril.

• Flowers are white or creamy yellow on the outside and yellow on the inside. They are fleshy with velvety hairs, tubed-shaped and bent over at the base.

• Fruit is a large, spiny, flattened woody capsule that contains winged seeds.

• Habitats include disturbed areas, along roadsides, along waterways and on forest edges.

What you need to know

Monkey’s comb forms a dense root mat and can climb into canopy, smothering native vegetation and inhibiting native regeneration.

Management approach

Monkey's comb 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

Physical control

Dig or pull-out small plants and seedlings

Plant parts requiring disposal: all parts

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. Immediately treat with herbicide gel containing glyphosate.

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.