CONTROL INVASIVE PLANTS

Wilding Pines or Conifers (Pinus spp. , Douglas fir, Maritime pine or Radiata pine) are a national problem, they overwhelm our native landscapes, they suck the soil dry and their mulch and canopy discourages our native plants from growing. They are a real risk in areas where there is no native bush, they modify the natural ecosystems so much that our unique New Zealand landscape is lost and native plants and animals are evicted or die.

Aparagus scandens or Climbing Asparagus and its allies (Asparagus scandens, A. asparagoides, A. aethiopicus) smothers the forest floor and under-story preventing the establishment of native plant seedlings. As it climbs it can ringbark and kill soft-barked shrubs and trees. These plant pests can live in dry poor soils and out- compete more delicate native species on the ground as well as our already vulnerable epiphytes.

Wild Ginger, Kahili Ginger or Yellow Ginger (Zingiberaceae – Hedychium gardnerianum), is a real threat to our native species. It thrives in warm places that have rich and moist soils. Its rhizomes form dense clumps which push out all other species, including trees within native bush and on road sides and riverbanks.

Japanese HoneySuckle or Lonicera japonica, spreads extremely quickly forming dense, layered mats which smother and collapse our native plants from the forest floor to mid-canopy. It provides a framework for other weedy climbers to invade further.

Ligustrum lucidum is one of four privets that are invading our coastline. It is linked to allergies for some people and is easily spread by birds. If it is left it can form almost pure dense stands that inhibit the growth of native species and dominate the canopy.

Or Night Scented Jasmine (Solanaceae – Cestrum nocturnum) is easily spread and forms dense stands with toxic berries and leaves that dominate the wet and shady spots on the forest floor. Its similar to a lot of native species but its distinct smelly ‘solanaceae’ smell gives it away; as does its green-white jasmine like flowers and smell in the night.

English Ivy or common Ivy (Hedera helix) is destroying our native plants at all levels from the forest floor right through to the canopy. It grows on almost any surface smothering its host plants in dense mats which often lead to their collapse. Ivy covers the forest floor and stops our native seedlings from emerging. Birds spread its seed and cuttings take and grow quickly in almost any conditions.

Sweet Pea Shrub (Polygala myrtifolia) shades out other coastal species and spreads easily. It produces seed that is long lived and can grow under most conditions including poor sandy and rocky places. Its seeds spread through moving water and soil.

Cape Ivy (Senecio angulatus) out-competes our low growing native species. It is spreading quickly and is smothering our low growing native species with its dense cover along our coastlines and on embankments. Cape Ivy flowers and seeds prolifically, quickly maturing into dense mats that are long lived. It is spread easily by seed or cuttings.

Moth Plant or Cruel Vine (Araujia hortorum) is invading our native spaces, its vine strangles emerging species as it climbs into the canopy, where it fruits and spreads. Each pod contains 250- 1,000 seeds which are spread on tiny tufts by the wind for kilometres around!

Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster spp.) is taking over our margins and roadsides. A prolific seeder it is spread easily by birds and out-competes our native species. It matures quickly forming dense stands that out-compete our native shrubland species. It grows almost anywhere but prefers free draining soil. Because it is an attractive plant with white flowers and a red berries it's often left in cultivated garden plantings. From here it is easily spread by the birds into our public space

Woolly Nightshade or Tobacco Plant (Solanum mauritianum) poisons the soil, which inhibits our native species from growing. It matures quickly, producing a purple flower which soon yields yellow fruit that birds find attractive and readily spread. The berries are moderately toxic to people (especially children) and to livestock. The leaves shed fine hairs when touched, which irritate the skin, eyes, nose and throat and in some cases cause trouble with breathing.