Climbing spindle berry

What does it look like?

Climbing spindle berry is a perennial, deciduous, twining climber that grows 12-15 metres high. Branches are greyish brown. Young branches are green and often have sharp spines. The serrated leaves are 5-10 cm long, tapered, alternately spaced, and turn yellow in autumn. It produces clusters of small (4-10 mm across), green flowers. Yellow-orange capsules split open to reveal scarlet fruit in early summer.

This aggressive woody vine climbs over rocks and trees and sometimes covers the ground. In New Zealand it tolerates a range of climates and soils but is less common on drought-prone soils. It’s mainly found in scrub, shrubland and young forest and can establish on forest margins. Climbing spindleberry seedlings establish under moderate shade in New Zealand, primarily in the early stages of vegetation succession, then grow up more or less simultaneously with the supporting trees.

Why is it a problem?

Climbing spindle berry aggressively climbs over rocks and trees, with individual plants covering up to 170m2. The weight of climbing spindle berry vines can cause canopy collapse.

Its roots sucker when damaged and stems will take root wherever they touch the ground. This creates a dense, impenetrable thicket - smothering and displacing natives while strangling host plants.

Climbing spindle berry grows rapidly, with well dispersed seeds that remain viable for 2-5 years.

Control methods

Physical control
Dig out seedlings and small plants: Dispose of as much as possible either at refuse transfer station or by burning.

Herbicide control

• Stump and stem swab (during spring to summer): Cut and dispose of most stems. Slice and treat both ends of remaining stems with glyphosate (250ml/L) or a product containing 100g picloram+300g triclopyr/L (100ml/L). Or,
• Spray (during spring to summer): Overall spray with glyphosate (150ml/10L + penetrant) or metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg (5g/10L + penetrant) or triclopyr 600 EC (20ml/10L + penetrant).
• For large stands, it’s best to cut and dispose of stems in autumn, and spray regrowth in spring.
• Stumps and suckers resprout and dropped stems take root. Maintain at least 6 monthly follow up until eliminated.
• CAUTION: When using any herbicide or pesticide, PLEASE READ THE LABEL THOROUGHLY to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.
• For further advice, please contact us on 06 835 9200.

Related links

• Ministry for Primary Industries
• New Zealand Plant Conservation Network
• NZ Flora
• Unwanted Organisms Register
• Weedbusters
• NPPA and the control of weeds | NZ Government