What does it look like?
German Ivy is a scrambling or climbing vine that can reach heights of 5m. It has thin, weak, green stems and thin, soft, glossy leaves that are ivy-shaped and clammy to the touch. It’s in the same family as ragwort, with similar yellow flowers from May to October, that go on to form fluffy seeds. German ivy grows well in open environments like forest margins and scrub.
Why is it a problem?
German ivy is fast-growing and has a dense, smothering habit. It will grow in most soil types but prefers open, damp sites and is partially tolerant to shade and drought. It produces large numbers of wind-blown seeds and can also regrow from fragments of stems and roots. Natural areas that are at risk of invasion by German ivy include forest margins, coastal communities, and the edges of wetlands.
Control methods
Physical control
It’s easiest controlled at flowering, when highly visible and before seed is produced. Hand pull small plants, or dig out roots (all year round). Leave on site to rot down.
Herbicide control
Stump swab (all year round) with glyphosate (100ml/L) or metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg (1g/L). Leave on site to rot down. Or,
Cut stems below waist height, spray below this point (spring-summer to actively growing plants) using glyphosate (10ml/L (knapsack) or 2L/100L (spraygun)) or metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg (2g/10L (knapsack) or 20g/100L (spraygun)) or a product containing 100g picloram+300g triclopyr/L (60ml/10L) or a product containing 200g 2,4-D+100g dicamba/L (12ml/L) or dicamba 50g/L (24ml/L) or amitrole (150ml/15L (knapsack) or 2L/100L (spraygun)). Add penetrant to all mixes.
CAUTION: When using any herbicide or pesticide, PLEASE READ THE LABEL THOROUGHLY to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.
Related links
http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora_details.aspx?ID=2749
http://www.nzflora.info/factsheet/Taxon/Delairea-odorata.html
https://www.weedbusters.org.nz/what-are-weeds/weed-list/german-ivy
