Call to action on moth plant spread

People are being urged to tackle the perennial invasive moth plant as soon as possible before its kapok-like seed pods mature, then burst and infest new areas.

The plant, which is native to South America, is an issue because it’s a tough, fast-growing vine that can rapidly climb and smother native and exotic trees.

It grows equally well creeping over the ground, shading out low vegetation such as regenerating seedlings.

Moth plant is one of Auckland’s and Northland’s worst weeds, and as well as a common pest along roadsides, forest edges and coastal sites, it is also a problem in urban reserves and gardens, where it can grow up to 10 metres tall.

The plant has easy-to-see prolific white flowers in January about 25mm across that turn into large hanging kapok-type pods, each of which splits open to release hundreds of seeds with silky threads that are carried by the wind to new sites.

Northland Regional Council’s biosecurity and biodiversity working party chair Jack Craw says that at this time of the year, moth plant vines are often heavy with flower and immature seed pods and its best to tackle the plant now as it is easy to see, before the pods ripen and burst over the next few months.

If pulled or dug out before the pods mature it is not necessary to remove the vine or pods from the tree it is climbing up.

Councillor Craw says the seeds are poisonous to humans, and the pods and stems also contain a milky sap which is a skin irritant, making gloves a recommended option when handling moth plant.

“Options to control moth plant include spraying or removing them by hand and collection of mature seed pods, the latter which unfortunately can be quite labour-intensive.”

Cr Craw says if caught early enough, small moth plant seedlings can simply be pulled out. However, the roots of large plants should be cut out at least five centimetres underground or herbicide used to control the plant.

More information about how to control moth plant and other pest plants and animals can be found on both the Auckland Council and Northland Regional Council websites.