Wonga wonga vine
Botanical name
Pandorea pandorana
Family
Bignoniaceae (jacaranda)
Also known as
Pandorea australis, Tecoma australis
Where is it originally from?
New Guinea, Australia
What does it look like?
Vigorous climber with stems that become woody as they mature. Leaves have 5-7 (occasionally 3 or 9) narrow, oval, glossy, hairless leaflets (15-60 x 7-40 mm). Produces clusters of numerous fragrant, tubular flowers (17-23 mm long) that are white or cream outside, and cream or flecked with crimson or deep red inside. Very rarely, these flowers are followed by a beaked seed capsule (9 x 2 cm).
Are there any similar species?
Bower vine (P. jasminoides) is similar and is also slightly weedy, with layering stems and clusters of 5-15 flowers (to 60 mm long).
Why is it weedy?
Quick growing, layering stems, reaches low canopy and long-lived. Tolerates hot to cool temperatures and high to moderately low rainfall.
How does it spread?
Seeds spread by wind, and seeds and fragments are spread with dumped vegetation and soil movement. Gardens and parks are common sources.
What damage does it do?
Forms dense layers in low canopy and prevents the establishment of native plant seedlings.
Which habitats is it likely to invade?
Disturbed shrubland and bush, mainly in warmer areas.
What can I do to get rid of it?
1. Cut and paste: Cut the stem/trunk as close to the ground as possible and again above ground (to prevent aerial roots attaching from hanging stems) and cover the entire stump with herbicide as soon as possible after cutting. Apply metsulfuron gel (10g/l strength) or picloram gel (43g/l strength).
2. Foliar spray - Apply Glyphosate (360 g/L active ingredient) herbicide at 20ml/L to cover entire plant OR Apply metsulfuron herbicide at 0.5g/L using a hand held sprayer/knapsack + organosilicone penetrant (3ml/L) OR Apply triclopyr herbicide (600g/L active ingredient) at 6ml/L plus organosilicone penetrant (3ml/L).
Note: Overspray will kill other (desirable) broadleaf plants. Metsulfuron based herbicides have residual activity in the soil which may leach through soil and kill other plants, do not use under and around other (desirable) broadleaf plants.
CAUTION: When using any herbicide or pesticide, PLEASE READ THE LABEL THOROUGHLY to ensure that all instructions and directions for the purchase, use and storage of the product, are followed and adhered to.
What can I do to stop it coming back?
Cut stumps and stems resprout so check regularly and follow up as required to eradicate.
Images
