Download Morning Glory Coastal - Information Sheet

CLASS 4 NOXIOUS WEED
Ipomoea cairica
Coastal Morning Glory
WHAT IS IT?
Originally from the tropics, Ipomoea cairica is a
vigorous, twining climber with deeply-divided
leaves. The funnel-shaped mauve-pink to
purplish flowers have a darker throat and are are
5 to 7 cm in diameter. Ipomoea cairica can flower
all year round and produces a globular shaped
fruit capsule, which mature over summer.
WHY IS IT NOXIOUS?
Ipomoea cairica is fast growing and can easily
escape from gardens into nearby bushland
reserves and neighbouring properties. The seeds
are easily dispersed by water and garden refuse.
It forms dense tangles that smother other more
desirable plants and is costly to remove.
WHAT IS YOUR LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY?
Due to its highly invasive nature, Ipomoea cairica
is listed as a Class 4 Noxious Weed under the
Noxious Weeds Act 1993. This means that;
• You are not permitted to sell, propagate or
knowingly distribute the plant.
• The plant must be prevented from spreading
into existing canopy, and
• All fruits and seeds must be removed, and
• The plant must be prevented from growing
within 1 metre of a property boundary
• If these control measures cannot be
maintained, then the whole plant must be
removed or destroyed
By law, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to control the growth and spread of
Ipomoea cairica on YOUR land.
HOW SHOULD YOU CONTROL IT?
Hand-pull, or dig out, all seedlings and smaller plants. Cut all climbing vines at chest height and
leave the aerial stems in the canopy to dry out. Carefully pull out the bases, ensuring that all
nodes are removed. If the base is too large to pull out then scraping 450 mm lengths of the
stem and applying a Glyphosate-based herbicide such as ‘Roundup’
may prove effective. Place all material in a green waste bin or
compost. If stem fragments are left lying on the ground they may
regrow. Follow up is needed to remove any resprouting vine.
If you have any enquiries please contact Hornsby Shire Councils
Bushland and Biodiversity Team on 9847 6832.