MADEIRA VINE, LAMB’S TAIL, POTATO VINE (WEED)
Anredera cordifolia, Fam. Basellaceae
Rampant fleshy twiner with tuberous roots. Produces numerous (1,000’s) small, knobby, reproductive potato-like ‘bulbs’ in leaf axils.
| Form or habit: | Climbing or twining plant |
| Latex: | Basellaceae |
| Leaf: | Simple Alternate Heart-shaped, 70 x 45mm fleshy, light green. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: | White |
| Flower description: | Small, white on long drooping axillary spikes resembling a lamb’s tail, 100mm long; fragrant. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Unknown |
| Fruit colour: | |
| Fruit: | |
| Fruit description: | Not known to produce viable fruit in Australia. |
| Habitat: | |
| Distribution | |
| Food source for: | |
| Toxicity: | No toxicity known |
| Origin: | South America |
| Weed: | Yes |
| Weed status: | Declared class 3 |
| Notes: | Spread by: ‘Bulbs’ spread by water, gravity and in garden waste. Invades/threats: Creek banks, smothers and destroys trees and shrubs. Introduced as garden ornamental. Large infestations on Cattle Creek in the Pioneer Catchment. Category 3 restricted invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014. It must not be given away, sold, or released into the environment without a permit. The Act requires everyone to take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise the risks associated with invasive plants and animals under their control. This is called a general biosecurity obligation (GBO). |
| Information sources: | Mackay Regional Pest Management Group (2011) Weeds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region. |
