Alien Invader Plants
Izihlahla Zokufika Ezhlaselayo
Uitheemse Probleem Plante

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CONTROL:
Manual: Relatively easy to pull out root, but quickly covers large areas.
Chemical: No herbicide registered.  Try Stalk immersion: Garlon®4 75ml/10l water.  Foliar spray: Garlon®4 75ml/10l water, Tordon®101 50ml/10l water, Roundup® etc 150ml/10l water.  Basal Stem: Garlon® 4 200ml/10l diesel.

DESCRIPTION: Now a serious invader in many parts.  A vigorous, vine-like climber with a spread of 6m or more; hairy leaves/stems; white or yellow flowers grouped together in clusters - pleasant smelling with two tendrils at the base of each cluster; fruits a large round capsule; seeds round changing from green to black when ripe with an oblong white spot (hilum).  Reproduces only by seed.  Flowering time: October to January (all year round in some places).

ORIGIN: Originates from tropical and sub-tropical South America.  Probably introduced into South Africa as an ornamental.  First recorded in KZN at Eshowe in 1937.

WHERE FOUND/PROBLEMS CAUSED: Where it occurs, it forms dense but localised infestations. It can grow to enormous lengths and is capable of smothering a tree 10m tall.  Competes with and smothers indigenous plant species. Invades forest margins, watercourses and urban open spaces in subtropical regions.

DID YOU KNOW: Its name is derived from the Greek kardia (heart) and sperma (seed) referring to the heart-shaped white spot that marks each black seed.

This page was last edited on 23 April, 2006