Scrambling lily

Scrambling lily is a perennial climber that grows up tall trees by winding around tree trunks.

Description

• Stems are green, wiry and self-supporting, reaching low branches before winding around the host plant.

• Leaves have a raised central vein and are dull green, stiff and absent from stems in full shade.

• Flowers are white/purpleish-green with clusters of bright yellow anthers.

• Fruit is spherical, 1cm in diameter and green turning black.

• Seeds are dispersed by birds and fragments by water, soil and vehicle movement, and dumped vegetation. They also spread via deliberate plantings.

• Habitats include forest, woodlands, and potentially riparian margins.

What you need to know

Scrambling lily forms dense infestations and strangles its host plants.

Management approach

Scrambling lily 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 scrambling lily yourself. Report any sightings to us.