Weedy vines are very hard to control once they have taken hold in an area. They are fast growing and make their way into the canopy and then smother the tree they are climbing up. Siratro often shows up in tree planting sites and smothers then kills new plantings.
- Common names: Siratro
- Scientific name: Macroptilium atropurpureum
- Native to: Central and South America
- Family: Fabaceae
- Habit: Vine, climbing and usually stays low to spread over the supporting vegetation. Also runs along the ground.
- Leaves: Alternate compound trifoliate. The easiest way to identify Siratro is by the kink in the leaf margin.
- Flowers: Pea shaped (three petals) that are bigger than most other weedy vine flowers. They are a striking dark red or burgundy colour.
- Dispersal method: Narrow, long 5 to 10 cm pods that release seeds.
Control measures: As with all weeds early intervention is the best defence. Small plants are easily pulled out by hand but older ones are prone to breaking off and leaving the root in the ground that reshoots. Mowing over the plants causes the root to become woody and even harder to kill. Spraping and painting the vine with a herbicide is a recommended treatment however this will need follow up. One positive to controlling Siratro is that it only reproduces from seed. Cutting the vine at ground level will kill the plant above that level and so if the plant is not let to form seed pod, it can not spread.
For more information refer to Weeds of the Sunshine coast page 223 1st edition
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macroptilium_atropurpureum
Michelle Newall
