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Morning Glory
Botanical name: Ipomoea indica
Noxious Weed Category: Class 4
Morning Glory Management Plan
Photo: Ku-ring-gai Council
Description
Originating in tropical America, Morning Glory is a vigorous, twining, herbaceous perennial climber growing to the top of the canopy and forming a dense blanket over all vegetation. Common in moist, disturbed places.
Leaves are large, light green and heart shaped, usually three lobed. Both leaves and stems are hairy. Flowers are distinct violet-blue, 5 to 8cm in diameter occurring anytime in the year, particularly in warmer months. Rarely sets seed in Australia. Spreads vegetatively.
Dispersal
Spreads from dumping on bushland edges. New plants can grow from stem fragments, rooting at nodes where they contact the ground.
Impact on bushland
Has the ability to smother trees and understorey vegetation. This weed is invasive and poses a significant threat to the bushland environment. It may cause distress to neighbouring properties both through the plant stems spreading over boundary lines. Due to the plants' invasive nature, treatment to contain this weed must start immediately. As this weed is likely to continually grow and spread, total removal is recommended.
Control Requirements
This weed must be continuously prevented from climbing and spreading within 1 metre of the property boundary. All fruits and seeds must be removed. For more details see the Purple Morning Glory Management Plan.
Control
Manual:
- Cut the vines close to the ground and dig out as much of the root system as possible or use the stem scrape technique applying neat Glyphosate-based product.
- Some regrowth is likely and should be retreated in the same way.
- The remaining vines in the tree can either be removed or left to rot in situ. Lengths of vine can be coiled up and left off the ground to dry.
- Note: Do not yank stems running along the ground as rooted fragments will snap off and grow again. Careful follow up needed.
See Manual Weed Control Techniques.
Chemical: Please contact your local control authority for advice on chemical control.
Similar species
Native climbers, Sarcopetalum harveyanum and Stephania japonica, may be confused with Morning Glory. These also have heart shaped leaves, but tiny white flowers. Another native species, found on coastal sand dunes, Ipomoea pes-caprae subsp. brailiensis may also be confused with this weed.
Another weed, Coastal Morning Glory (Ipomoea cairica) has similar flowers with five-fingered leaves.
Suggested alternatives
- Wonga Wonga Vine (Pandorea species)
- Old Man's Beard (Clematis aristata, Clematis glycinoides)
- Milk Vines (Marsdenia species)
References
Weeds of Blue Mountains Bushland, Blue Mountains City Council and NPWS-Blue Mountains