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Cape Ivy
Environmental Weed
Botanical name: Delairea odorata
Photos: Adam Burrowes
Description
Originating in Africa, Cape Ivy is a twining succulent climber and scrambler. The stems can root at the nodes when in contact with soil. Bright green ivy shaped leaves. Small kidney-shaped leaf structures occur at the base of the leaves.
Flowers are small yellow daisy-like clusters from winter to early spring. Fluffy dandelion-like fruit 1 to 2mm long.
Dispersal
Cape Ivy is dispersed by wind and water, and is often spread by dumping on bushland edges. It will grow from stem fragments.
Impact on bushland
Suppresses native vegetation by carpeting the ground and climbing into the canopy.
Control
Manual: Hand remove all stems. Cut climbing stems, leaving to dry out in the canopy. Cut and paint stumps, applying an undiluted Glyphosate-based product.
See Manual Weed Control Techniques.
Chemical: Please contact your local control authority for advice on chemical control.
Suggested alternatives
- Yellow Passion-flower (Passiflora herbertiana)
- Climbing Guinea Flower (Hibbertia scandens)
- Morinda (Morinda jaminoides)
References
Weeds of Blue Mountains Bushland, Blue Mountains City Council and NPWS Blue Mountains