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Bluebell Creeper | CW0007 |
Coast Action/Coastcare
August, 2001 |  |
Introduction
Botanical Name: Sollya heterophylla
Family: Plttosporaceae
Origin: South-west Western Australia
Distribution
Weed Dispersal
Mature seed capsules burst open to release seeds. Birds and foxes eat the berries and spread the seed in their droppings. Creeping garden escapes can invade adjoining bushland.
Indigenous Look-a-likes
Common Apple-berry, Billardiera scandens
Has thick, narrow, non-parallel veined leaves. Bell-like, yellow-green, 5 petalled flowers.
Identification
Form
CLIMBER- A shrubby, evergreen twining climber, growing to a height of 4m.
Leaf
Glossy, oval or lance-shaped leaves, 5-7cm long, varying from light to dark green. Leaves occur singly on alternate sides of stem.
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Flower
Mainly blue, but somethimes pink or white, bell-shaped flowers occur in drooping clusters from Spring to Summer. Flowers are about 1cm long.
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Fruit
Oval, fleshy berries up to 2cm, ripen from green to blue-purple in Summer and Autumn.
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Management
Permission should be sought from the land manager before any weed control is undertaken.
Removal methods
Remove small and scattered plants first and then target outer edges of larger infestations. Best removed before plants flower and fruit.
Bluebell Creeper has wide, spreading, shallow roots.
Small Plants and Large Established Plants
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Hand pull plants, including all root parts. Disturb the soil as little as possible. Roots remaining in the soil will reshoot. Remove before flowering and fruiting.
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If necessary, spray or paint foliage with a suitable herbicide.
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Disposal
Stack plants and burn in a very hot fire, or seal in strong bags and take to the tip.
Maintenance
Monitor site regularly for regrowth and new seedlings. Hand pull. Heavy mulching with appropriate material will suppress new growth.
Life Cycle
The life cycle may vary according to seasons and site conditions such as soil type, aspect and location.
Replacement Plants
Replace Bluebell Creeper with appropriate indigenous plants. Encourage indigenous plant regeneration. Seek advice from your local indigenous nursery or your NRE Coast Action/Coastcare facilitator.
Herbicide Recommendations
- Always consider manual weed removal methods before herbicide treatments, to avoid the unnecessary introduction of herbicides into the natural environment.
- Information on up-to-date herbicide treatment is available from herbicide companies.
- Users of herbicides should read the label fully, follow directions carefully and ensure that correct precautions and procedures are applied. To do otherwise is at the user’s own risk.
- It is advisable for at least one member of any environment group to have undertaken an approved chemical safety course. See local TAFE courses.
Did you know?
- Bluebell Creeper is an invasive twining plant that is a very serious threat to indigenous vegetation.
- This Western Australian plant has easily adapted to coastal locations.
- Its slender, vigorous, twining stems strangle indigenous plants, eventually killing them.
- Bluebell Creeper is a popular garden plant available from commercial nurseries.
- Seedlings and large established plants can be easily removed by hand.
Feedback
New information is vital. Please inform your local NRE Coast Action/Coastcare facilitator of your weed management results.
References
- Carr, G.W., Yugovic, J.V., Robinson, K.E. (1992). Environmental Weed Invasions in Victoria. Department to Natural Resources and Environment, & Ecological Horticulture Pty Ltd, Melbourne
- Regional Pest Plant Strategy Working Group (1991). Common Garden Plants that are Environmental Weeds in the Middle Yarra Region. Regional Pest Plant Strategy Working Group. Belgrave, Victoria.
- City of Frankston, Shire of Hastings, Shire of Mornington. Mornington Peninsula Pest Plants. City of Frankston, Shire of Hastings, Shire of Mornington.
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The advice provided in this publication is intended as a source of information only. Always read the label before using any of the products mentioned. The State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.
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