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Alien Invader Plants
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CONTROL: DESCRIPTION: At first glance looks like bougainvillea but the stems have 2 short curved spines at the base of each leaf. Old stems are woody with clusters of long, vicious spines. A shrubby or climbing plant with long, whip-like branches. Flowers white, cream-coloured or yellowish occurring in clusters, with a faintly lemon scent, near the tips of branches. Unripe fruits are green with spines and "leaves"; ripe fruits are smooth, turn orange and contain flat, black seeds. Flowering time: November to February. ORIGIN: From south and Central America, the West Indies and Florida. WHERE FOUND/PROBLEMS CAUSED: Mostly in isolated patches along the coast with major infestations at Lake Sibaya, Lake St. Lucia, Drummond, Shongweni and Umzinto. It has occurred as far inland as Pietermaritzburg but requires shelter, as it is susceptible to frost. Completely destroys patches of forest by growing up into the canopy and smothering the trees. Stems can grow up to 1m a week in summer. Edible fruits and seeds spread by birds and animals. "Clippings" from garden refuse cause the plant to "escape". Stems and detached leaves stay alive and can form roots months after removal from the parent plant. DID YOU KNOW: In KZN, as early as 1881, the fruit was used for making jam. Many infestations occur near existing or old kraals or gravesites where they were planted as a protective barrier. The variegated and golden forms, widely planted in gardens, are supposedly not invasive, but there are reports that they revert to the green invasive form.
This page was last edited on 23 April, 2006 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
