ORIGIN

South Africa

COMMON NAME

Port St John creeper

BOTANICAL NAME

Podranea ricasoliana

IDENTIFICATION

Vigorous evergreen, hairless vine. Leaflets 20-70 mm long, long-oval and serrated, larger (50-90 mm long) on strong vegetative shoots. Flowers trumpet shaped to 80 mm, pink with rose red veins especially inside tube, Dec-May. Related to Wonga wonga-vine (Pandorea pandorana) from which it can be identified by the inflated calyx (green bracts at the base of the flower tube) with its much larger teeth (4-7 mm).

HABITATS

Waste places, abandoned gardens, scrambling over other vegetation. Commonly cultivated.

IMPACT TO BIOTA AND ECOSYSTEMS

Reproduces by layering and the dense masses of foliage and branches tend to smother surrounding vegetation. Grows rampantly in warm areas.

DISPERSAL ROUTES, VECTORS, INFESTATION SOURCES

Garden escape. Capsule rarely formed and seed winged. Spreads by layering.

MANAGEMENT

Physical Control
Hand pull whenever possible or dig plant out at the roots.

Disposal
Mulch or compost. Beware of regrowth of cut material.

Chemical Control
Climbing character of the plant means support plant will also be damaged by herbicide sprays used. Spray with Glyphosate at 100 ml in 10 litres of water if support plant damage is not an issue. In large stands cut at ground level and treat with herbicide.

Biological Control

Recommended Approach
Hand pull small infestations. Cut and treat larger areas.

FURTHER COMMENT