This category 1b Invasive Alien, fastgrowing creeper is native tosubtropical South America. It has lush, heart- shaped, bright green, succulent leaves and masses of white lamb’s taillike flowers that appear from February to May.
A distinguishing feature is the greyish-brown or greenish coloured warty likeaerial tubers that form in the joints alongthe stems. The plant does not produceany fruit, but reproduces from thesetubers, which fall to the ground andeasily take root.
Madeira vine has the potential to transform natural habitats because the weight of the dense covering of foliage can smother trees and sometimes causes the canopy to collapse. When horizontal growth develops into a dense ground cover it inhibits the germination, growth and regeneration of surrounding indigenous plants.
To eradicate this plant,
This creeper is difficult to eradicate, as great care must betaken not to dislodge the round tubers as if these fall to the ground they will take root. Cut the creeper about 10cm from the ground and either carefully pull out the roots and tubers and place in a black bag to rot, or spray the foliage left on the ground with a suitable herbicide. Constant follow up is needed and any new growth can be sprayed.
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