A million moth plant seeds removed from local environment

 

Schools, residents and businesses from Waipu and Mangawhai rallied behind a recent moth plant eradication campaign, delivering hundreds of seed pods to drop-off bins and saving the environment from the release of a million moth plant seeds.

The campaign was launched by Weed Action Piroa Brynderwyns after moth plants were unexpectedly found in Waipu township and in rural Mangawhai. 

Moth plant is a pest vine that is one of the ‘dirty dozen’ worst identified weeds. 

“It is not in the Piroa-Brynderwyn Ranges and we would like to keep it out!” urges Weed Action Piroa Brynderwyns coordinator Nancy Chaves. “We now know moth plant can be found throughout Waipu township and along the coastline of Mangawhai Heads. There are smaller populations of the plant down South Rd, Waipu and in Avocado Lane, Mangawhai.” 

Throughout the campaign Weed Action PB received calls from residents reporting locations of the plant and seeking advice on how to control it. 

“With vigilance from residents checking their backyards this weed can be eradicated from our area while plant numbers are still low,” says Nancy.

Moth plant quickly grows to smother all plants around it. The vine is long-lived, and the white sap of the plant is a skin irritant. Moth plant grows seed pods that look like chokos. 

Pods begin to develop around April and take a few months to mature before splitting open, releasing up to 1000 seeds per pod. 
Weed Action PB sought a quick solution to stop the spread of the plant before pods opened leading to the drop-off bins and public campaign.

Moth plant can be controlled by hand pulling seedling and small vines. Gloves are recommended. Roots of larger plants should be cut off at least 5cm underground if they can't be pulled whole. Once roots are pulled, the vine can be left to die while still in the trees. 

“Weed Action would like to publicly thank Orang Otang, Waipu Hammer Hardware, Mangawhai Beach School and Waipu Primary School for kindly hosting drop off bins,” says Nancy. “Your generosity enabled this campaign to happen.”

 Weed Action Piroa Brynderwyns is supported by funding from Northland Regional Council. For more information contact Nancy Chaves, coordinator, WAPB, email nancy_halse@hotmail.com

Moth plant is a fast growing vine with large seed pods. PHOTO/NRC