Weed Potential
As a weedCape Ivy is wide spread in high rainfall areas of Australia and is highly invasive growing in a variety of native habitats including woodlands, forests or dunes and along water courses. It also occurs in disturbed soils and neglected landscapes.

Growth occurs during the warmer months and the plant smothers the ground and climbs into the lower canopy cutting out the light for the host. The vine matures in 2-years preferring an open sunny position with moist soils.

It can produce over 30,000 seeds yearly and the stem fragments can also form new plants. It tolerates salt laden winds or drier conditions once established commonly appear in bushland margins. The seed is dispersed by water or wind and in garden waste.

Control methodsinclude physically digging out small infestations including the roots or the vine may be severed at the base and the foliage left in the canopy to dry out if no seeds are seen.

Fruiting stems should be cut and bagged where possible then all plant material should be removed off site and destroyed.
Plants may also be sprayed with a non-selective herbicide taking care not to spray the native vegetation. Follow up applications are required as seeds mature on sprayed plants. Best to apply chemical sprays before flowers appear as the seeds form with in 4 to 8 weeks.