Download Madeira Vine (Anredera Cordifolia) Factsheet

e removed i
n
tb
US
STAT
Rockdale
L
the
.
GA
tricted – mu
res
s
MADEIRA VINE
Fact Sheet
Lega
lly
Madeira Vine (Anredera Cordifolia)
Status: Legally restricted – must be removed in the Rockdale LGA
DESCRIPTION:
Madeira Vine is also known as potato vine and lambs tail, due to the tubers that
grow on the stems and in the soil, and the sprays of white flowers present in
Summer to Autumn.
A vigorous, hardy, perennial vine native to tropical South America with fragrant
blossom March to April that was once popular in gardens in NSW and
Queensland, but has since been recognised as extremely invasive. It covers trees
to 30m high and smothers ground-flora. The underground tubers can survive
between 5-10 years.
Cont. overleaf
Th
Es is leg
an cape ally r
d
bu dev e’ is a estric
sh
lan asta ffect ted ‘
d. ting ing Ga
ou ou rden
rn rh
atu eal
ral th
The vine has large, fleshy, heart-shaped leaves with a glossy surface 3-12cm
long. The young stem is green or red-green, hairless and cord-like. In maturity it
looks like a rope, and can thicken to a diameter of several centimetres. Tolerant
of drought, salt and frost, in these conditions it will die back to the tuber and then
re-shoot.
SPREAD:
The vine grows from tubers that form on the mature stems and drop to sprout
from the soil, as well as seed and the root system. Tubers can develop to great
size (about 30 x 13cm) and can also grow from 10cm underground if buried.
Madeira vine is spread through dumped garden waste, water and soil erosion. The
tubers are buoyant and readily transported via waterways. It is also sometimes
exchanged by gardeners or sold at markets and fetes.
IMPACT:
Madeira Vine is a devastating weed capable of smothering all native vegetation,
particularly along waterways. It tolerates many soil and climatic conditions.
CONTROL:
Underground tubers can be dug out, and every piece must be gathered to
prevent re-growth. If poisoning, use the scrape-and-paint method, and do not
commence work unless a tarpaulin covers the area below the vine to collect the
tubers. Spraying with a non-selective or selective herbicide is effective only on
vines without aerial tubers (tubers growing up along the vine). Regrowth of large
underground tubers will require follow-up spraying 2-3 times a year for several
years before they are destroyed.
Note: Always use a registered herbicide, wear protective clothing and follow
instructions on the label.
GROW ME INSTEAD:
• Five-leaf Water Vine (Cissus Hypoglauca)
• Twining Purple Pea (Hardenbergia Violacea)
• Wonga Wonga Vine (Pandorea Pandorana)
• Dusky Coral Pea (Kennedia Rubicunda)
• Old Man’s Beard (Clematis Aristata)
• Wombat Berry (Eustrephus Latifolius)
Source: Sutherland Shire Council
Help protect our environment.
For more information about noxious weeds, visit www.sydneyweeds.org.au or contact
Council’s noxious weeds officer on 9789 9450 or at [email protected]