Group declares weed war on moth plant

 

Until recently it was thought that moth plant was found in a few isolated patches in the Mangawhai area. Unfortunately, some well-established plants have recently been discovered in Waipu Village and at Mangawhai Heads. The plant has become a scourge in many other areas of Northland and Auckland and needs to be controlled promptly.

Easily disguised as a choko-like pod, moth plants are now ready to burst and unleash hundreds of seeds to choke gardens and bush in the local area. Each thistle-like seed is dispersed on the wind up to 30km away. 

Moth plant seedlings can grow quickly in almost any condition to rapidly form large, long-lived vines that kill their host plant and can prevent native plants from getting established. Monarch butterflies can also be killed when they feed on the flowers, their mouth parts gummed up by sticky sap.

A moth plant can be indentified by the smelly, milky sap of the vine, arrowhead-like leaves that are dull green and hairless on top, clusters of bell-shaped creamy coloured flowers, and the kapok-like pulp of the choko-shaped pod. It forms a tough vine that quickly climbs through other shrubs and trees. Local group Weed Action is keen to help land owners identify the pest plant and control it as quickly as possible. 

Students at Mangawhai and Waipu primary schools are being offered a bounty for bringing in moth plant pods. Due to the potential for the sticky sap to act as a skin irritant parents are being advised to pick the pods for children or use gloves.

“The goal is to get on top of this pest plant as quickly as possible,” says Weed Action group coordinator Nancy Halse.”
To help with disposal a wheelie bin will be accessible during open hours at Orang-Otang, Mangawhai Heads Rd for locals to drop off bags of pods. The pods will be destroyed using an incineration method to prevent seeds germinating and spreading.

During May and June the quickest control method is to cut the seed pods off the vines before they open. Smaller seedlings can be hand pulled and set aside so they don’t grow again, and herbicides can be used for bigger plants. 

 If you think you might have moth plant on your property contact Nancy Halse, Weed Action group coordinator 021 321 017 or email nancy_halse@hotmail.com. A working bee could be organised with volunteers to help local landowners clear moth plant from their property.

For information on the best herbicides and their safe use talk to Nancy or go to weedaction.org.nz/moth-plant/.

Claire Nichols (left) and Nancy Halse inspect moth plant vine and seed pods found on the corner of The Braigh and Shoemaker Rd, Waipu.