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Managing our Environment

Cape ivy

Common name: Cape ivy

Botanical name: Senecio angulatus

Management programme: Progressive containment

                

Why is it a pest?

Cape ivy smothers ground and low-growing plants by forming thick, long-lasting mats that prevent native plant seedlings from growing. It produces lots of seeds that live for a long time and are spread far away from parent plants.

               

What does it look like?

Cape ivy is a scrambling plant, often forming a thick tangled shrub 2-3m tall, with wiry to woody stems that have few branches. It has fleshy, leathery leaves with 1-3 rough points on each side, and the top leaves are smaller, narrower and occasionally smooth-edged. Thick clusters of yellow, ragwort-like flowers (11mm diameter) are produced, followed by fluffy seeds. It is found mainly in the Dunedin City and Otago Peninsula areas with 85 known sites.

Click here to see images

 

Source Weedbusters

Source Weedbusters

                  

Progressive containment programme

The progressive containment programme aims to stop a pest from spreading and/or contain it to a certain area.

 

 

What are the rules?

Everyone in Otago must eliminate cape ivy on the land they occupy. This is to ensure infestation levels are reduced and threats to the environment are minimised.

                 

How can I control it?

  • Slash any small infestations and hand-pull any regrowth
  • Cut and paste the stump near the ground using a suitable herbicide gel like Tordon BK containing either metsulfuron, triclopyr or glyphosate
  • Foliage spray using a glyphosate based product with penetrant or Banvine.

Caution: When using any herbicide or pesticide PLEASE READ THE LABEL THOROUGHLY to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.

Disclaimer: Mention of product trade names does not endorse these products nor imply criticism of similar products not mentioned. The Otago Regional Council does not give any warranty that the information is accurate or complete or that it is suitable for all circumstances.

                                 

Images

            

Source: Weedbusters

Source: Weedbusters

Source: Weedbusters

Source: Weedbusters

Source: Weedbusters

Source: Weedbusters

Source: Weedbusters

Source: Weedbusters

                 

Source: Weedbusters

Source: Weedbusters

Source: Weedbusters

Source: Weedbusters

Source: Weedbusters

Source: Weedbusters

Source: Weedbusters

Source: Weedbusters

                 

Source: Weedbusters

Source: Weedbusters

Source: Weedbusters

Source: Weedbusters

Source: Weedbusters

Source: Weedbusters

Source: Weedbusters

Source: Weedbusters

        

Definitions

Eliminate – The permanent prevention of the plant’s ability to set viable seed.

Land occupier – An occupier is the person who physically occupies the place, the owner of the place and any agent, employee, or other person acting or apparently acting in the general management or control of the place. For example if you are renting a house owned by someone else that does not live on that property, you are the occupier and are responsible for pest management under the pest plan. You can see more about the responsibilities of occupiers (including owners) in section 3.3.1 of the pest plan.

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