Sustainable Options Pest Plant Control 17 Climbing Plants • Banana Passionfruit • Jasmine • Japanese Honeysuckle • Cathedral Bells • Mignonette/Madeira Vine • Smilax • Climbing Spindleberry • Mile-a-minute vine • Bindweed • Blue Morning Glory • Moth Plant • Climbing Dock • Climbing Asparagus Introduction Banana Passionfruit Description Many pest plants in the Banana passionfruit Banana passionfruit is an Bay of Plenty are climbing or (Passifl ora tripartita var. evergreen climber that can creeping vines which are very mollissima, P.tripartita var. grow to a height of 10 metres. destructive to native vegetation, azuayensis, P.tarminiana) is a The dark green leaves are three particularly regenerating vigorous, high-climbing vine lobed, serrated, with soft, downy native forest. often overtopping and smothering undersides. It has large, pink, trees in native forest and scrub. hanging, star-shaped fl owers, Climbing plants smother other each with a purplish blue crown. vegetation, eventually killing it It is a native to tropical South The fruit is golden yellow when by excluding light. America, and was introduced to ripe. Inside is a sweet, orange New Zealand for its edible fruit pulp, fi lled with black seeds which and as an ornamental garden are readily dispersed by rats, plant. Banana passionfruit was possums and birds. fi rst recorded as naturalised in Progressive Control New Zealand in 1958. Control Pest Plants Manual • Banana passionfruit Pull seedlings. Dig or grub • Cathedral bells established plants. • Climbing spindleberry Herbicide In the Bay of Plenty region Large infestations may be foliar these plants are classifi ed as sprayed, taking care not to Progressive Control Pest overspray desirable plants. Plants. (Refer to Environment Bay of Plenty’s Regional Pest • Triclopyr (e.g. Grazon®) Management Strategy.) 60 ml / 10 litres water Land occupiers are required to Stump Swabbing control them on their properties. • Vigilant® gel Assistance may be available Cut the stem as close as from Environment Bay of Plenty possible to ground level by way of approved programmes. and apply the gel to the cut surface. They are banned from sale, propagation and distribution • Glyphosate (e.g. Roundup®) within the Bay of Plenty. Banana passionfruit 1 part glyphosate to 5 parts water. Cut the stem about 50 cm above ground level. Working with our communities for a better environment Sustainable Options Pest Plant Control 17 Climbing Plants Apply mixture liberally to Control Flowers of climbing spindleberry freshly cut surfaces covering Manual have fi ve petals and are greenish- the top and sides of the stem Pull seedlings. Dig or grub yellow in colour. Fruit is green, to ground level. established plants. changing to bright yellow/orange upon maturity. Whichever control method is used Herbicide follow up control of seedlings may Large infestations may be foliar be required. sprayed, taking care not to overspray desirable plants. Cathedral Bells Cathedral bells (Cobaea • Triclopyr (e.g. Grazon®) scandens), a native of Central 60 ml / 10 litres water and South America was introduced to New Zealand as Stump Swabbing an ornamental garden plant and • Vigilant® gel was fi rst recorded as naturalised Cut the stem as close as in 1946. Although frost tender, possible to ground level it fl ourishes in the Bay of Plenty. and apply the gel to the cut surface. Description Cathedral bells has purplish • Glyphosate (e.g. Roundup®) stems and light, oval green 1 part glyphosate to 5 parts leaves. Large purple lantern-like water. Cut the stem about fl owers appear from spring to 50 cm above ground level. autumn, followed by oval fruit Apply mixture liberally to Climbing spindleberry 6–10 cm long, which explode freshly cut surfaces covering during summer to release winged the top and sides of the stem Control seeds. Seeds spread only a short to ground level. Manual distance by wind and further Owing to the extensive root by soil or water movement. Whichever control method is used system which sends up suckers, Spread from vine fragments follow up control of seedlings may it is diffi cult to control plants is also possible. be required. manually. Climbing Spindleberry Herbicide Climbing spindleberry (Celastrus Take care when foliar spraying orbiculatus) is a serious threat not to overspray desirable plants. to native plant communities and forestry plantations. It is highly • Triclopyr (e.g. Grazon®) invasive because of its high 60 ml / 10 litres water plus reproductive rate, long range 20 ml penetrant (e.g. Pulse®) dispersal, ability to root sucker and rapid growth rate. Also known Stump Swabbing as oriental bittersweet, climbing • Vigilant® gel spindleberry is a native to Japan, Cut the stem as close as Korea and northern China. It was possible to ground level fi rst recorded as naturalised in and apply the gel to the New Zealand in 1981. cut surface. Description • Triclopyr (e.g. Grazon®) Climbing spindleberry is a 1 part triclopyr to 4 parts deciduous woody climber, which water plus 20 ml penetrant grows to 12 m high with stems e.g. Pulse®). Cut the stem Cathedral Bells 10 cm in diameter. Leaves are about 50 cm above ground alternate, variable in shape and level. Apply mixture liberally are 5–10 cm long. to freshly cut surfaces Sustainable Options Pest Plant Control 17 Climbing Plants covering the top and sides of Description Whichever control method the stem to ground level. Blue morning glory is a high- is used follow up control of climbing, fi brous-rooted, hairy re-growth may be required. Whichever control method is used perennial with twining and follow up control of seedlings and running stems. Leaves are heart- Climbing Asparagus suckers will be required. shaped and usually three-lobed. Climbing asparagus The fl owers are up to 10 cm across (Asparagus scandens) is a and are an intense purple or blue native of South Africa and was Regional Surveillance colour. They are funnel-shaped, introduced to New Zealand as Pest Plants typical of the Convolvulus family an ornamental garden plant. It • Blue Morning Glory to which blue morning glory was fi rst recorded as naturalised • Climbing Asparagus belongs. in 1959. • Jasmine • Mignonette/Madeira Vine Description • Mile-a-minute Vine Climbing asparagus is a • Moth Plant scrambling vine which invades forest areas. Stems twine around In the Bay of Plenty region and strangle host shrubs or trees. these plants are classifi ed as Regional Surveillance Pest Plants. (Refer to Environment Bay of Plenty’s Regional Pest Management Strategy.) Land occupiers are not required to control them but are encouraged to do so. Assistance may be available from Environment Bay of Plenty by way of approved programmes. Climbing Asparagus They are banned from sale, Blue Morning Glory propagation and distribution within the Bay of Plenty. Control Control Manual Manual Small plants may be dug out. If the infestation is small, cut Blue Morning Glory the plants back and carefully Blue morning glory (Ipomea Herbicide dig out all the roots and tubers. indica) is widespread in the Large infestations may be Tubers must be destroyed to tropical Pacifi c and the Americas. foliar sprayed. If possible, it is prevent re-spouting or taken to It was introduced as an best to cut the vines that are an authorised refuse collection ornamental garden plant in New growing up into trees and site. Do not deposit them in the Zealand and was fi rst recorded bushes before spraying. greenwaste collection. as naturalised in 1950. Although attractive, blue morning glory has • Triclopyr (e.g. Grazon®) Herbicide a rampant habit and regenerates 60 ml / 10 litres water Large infestations may be foliar vigorously from fragments when sprayed. If possible, it is best to dumped in waste areas. • Glyphosate (e.g. Roundup®) cut the vines that are growing 100 ml / 10 litres water + up into trees and bushes before Plants have occasionally been 20 ml penetrant (e.g. Pulse®) spraying. In spring or summer found to produce viable seed. cut the stems to about 60 cm • Banvine® above ground level and spray the 120 ml / 10 litres water remaining stems and foliage. Sustainable Options Pest Plant Control 17 Climbing Plants • Glyphosate (e.g. Roundup®) Control Wart-like tubers are produced 200 ml / 10 litres water + Manual on aerial stems and are a key 20 ml penetrant (e.g. Pulse®) Small infestations can be pulled to identifying the plant. It has or dug out, taking care to remove masses of fragrant, cream Repeat applications may be stems running along the ground. fl owers from March to May. necessary to control seedlings. Careful disposal is required. The plant spreads via the tubers which detach very easily. Jasmine Herbicide Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) For foliar spraying the following is a dense-growing climbing herbicides are reasonably plant, now common throughout effective.Take care not to the Bay of Plenty. The plant overspray desirable plants. climbs vigorously through other vegetation, forming roots where • Tordon Gold® it touches the ground. Spread 100 ml / 10 litres water + is mainly from vine fragments 20 ml penetrant (e.g. Pulse®) or from dumped garden refuse. Occasionally jasmine is spread • Metsulfuron-methyl via bird-borne seed. (e.g. Escort®, Meturon®) 5 g / 10 litres water + 10 ml Description penetrant (e.g Pulse®) Jasmine has small pointed shiny leaves arranged in a very regular • Triclopyr (e.g. Grazon®) pattern. In summer the vine 60 ml / 10 litres water smothers itself in small, starry (summer only) white fl owers. Globular, glossy black fruits are occasionally Follow up applications will be produced. necessary to achieve complete Mignonette Vine control. For advice on the control of large infestations, please Control contact an Environment Manual Bay of Plenty pest plant offi cer. Small infestations can be dug out, ensuring that all tubers are Mignonette Vine removed. The tubers must be Mignonette vine (Anredera destroyed to prevent re-sprouting cordifolia) smothers other plants or taken to an authorised refuse and is diffi cult to control.