Vines in the Ipomoea genus are extremely fast growing and smother native vegetation. They can cover large areas and grow up into tall trees. Anyone familiar with the bush section between Cooloola st and Heathland drive Noosa heads will have seen the vine growing there. It’s taken a lot of hard work by the local Bushcare group to save that area.
- Common names: Morning glory indica, Coastal morning glory cairia (lobed leaf), Mile a minute, Moon flower (white flower) alba
- Scientific name: Ipomoea indica Ipomoea alba Ipomea cairica
- Native to: indica and alba Central and South America, cairica Africa and Asia
- Family: Convolvluacae.
- Habit: Vine, climbing up to 30m.
- Leaves: Vary between the species.
- Flowers: Funnel shaped with spreading lobes. Moon flower is white and closes during the day. Coastal is pink. The flower in the photos is indica.
- Dispersal method: Vegetatively
Control measures: As with all weeds early intervention is the best defence. Ipomoeas are very hard to control. Spraying works but will need follow up. Manual removal is hard due to the vine running many metres along the ground with roots attached to the soil.
For more information;
https://weeds.brisbane.qld.gov.au/weeds/morning-glory
https://weeds.brisbane.qld.gov.au/weeds/white-morning-glory
https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/plants/weeds-pest-animals-ants/weeds
All three species are in Weeds of the Sunshine Coast.
Michelle Newall