Mignonette vine (also known as madeira vine) is a threat to native plants. It kills them by smothering them and blocking out available light. This vine is starting to spread in the Waikato region. It was originally introduced as an ornamental plant, but is now a ‘containment’ pest. This requires the removal of all mignonette vine plants. Find out how to recognise this plant and check out our tips for control.
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Why mignonette vine is a pest
Mignonette vine (Anredera cordifolia) can rapidly climb over and smother native plants. It kills them by blocking out light and toppling them with its thick, heavy blanket of growth. It threatens native trees and shrubs, and is a menace in urban reserves and gardens.
A native to tropical South America, mignonette vine (also known as madeira vine) was originally introduced to New Zealand as an ornamental plant. It is now a ‘containment pest’ in the Waikato region, requiring the removal of all plants (total control).
New infestations of mignonette vine come from illegal or inappropriate dumping of garden waste and it is starting to spread through the Waikato region.
How to recognise mignonette vine
Mignonette vine is an evergreen climber that grows from a fleshy underground tuber. Wart-like tubers are also produced on aerial (above ground) stems. The stem tubers detach very easily and re-sprout on the ground.
Mignonette vine thrives in warm, moist climates and fertile soils.
Identifying features
- Climbing vine up to seven metres long.
- Thick, shiny, slightly heart-shaped leaves.
- Wart-like tubers on stems.
- Fragrant cream flowers late summer to early autumn (no fruit produced in New Zealand).
Who is responsible for control?
All landowners/occupiers are responsible for controlling mignonette vine and are required to work with Environment Waikato in areas where control programmes are in place. Mignonette vine is also banned from sale, propagation, distribution or commercial display.
How to control mignonette vine
There are two main ways to control mignonette vine:
- physical control
- herbicide control.
Physical control
- Remove and burn all underground and stem tubers, or take the whole plant to a refuse transfer station. Home composting will not kill mignonette vine.
- Remove every scrap of vine from affected trees and shrubs. Any stems or tubers touching the ground will re-grow, so be careful not to drop any when moving them.
Herbicide control
There are three main methods for herbicide control:
- cut vine treatment
- stem scraping
- spraying.
Cut vine treatment
- Slash vines at ground level and immediately paint herbicide on both stem sections. Use a squeeze bottle to avoid splashes. Note that if Vigilant® is used, best results are achieved during November to April (active growth period). Cut the stem 50 to 100 millimetres above the ground before applying instead of at ground level.
- Swab hanging ends of the vine and use a dye to keep track of stumps.
- Pull out and rake up all aerial tubers, then burn them.
Stem scraping
- Use a sharp knife to carve away the outside of a stem, removing about a third of the stem’s diameter.
- Apply herbicide immediately.
- Gouge tubers carefully and apply herbicide.
- Do not remove the roots from the soil or the treated vine until the stems are quite dry (6 -12 weeks, depending on weather).
Spraying
Best results are achieved between January and April.
- Control large infestations by cutting back the top growth to two metres and spraying all leaf surfaces on remaining stems.
- Protect surrounding plants by cutting back any growth covering the vine before spraying.
- Dispose of cut growth at a refuse transfer station.
- Monitor closely and repeat spray as re-growth appears.
Follow-up management
After initial control it’s important to:
- continue control methods monthly to prevent mignonette vine from coming back
- stop other weeds from reinvading by replanting with desirable plants, preferably natives.
Summary of herbicides and application methods for control
When using herbicides:
- Always read the instructions on the manufacturer’s label closely.
- Always wear protective clothing.
- Always minimise the risk to desirable plants.
- Contact the supplier for further advice.
| Herbicide |
Application |
Method |
| Tordon® Brushkiller |
Cut vine treatment |
100 ml / litre of water |
| Vigilant® |
Cut vine treatment |
Direct application |
| Roundup® Renew |
Cut vine treatment |
100 ml / litre of water |
| |
Scraping the stem method |
Use undiluted |
| Escort® |
Cut vine treatment |
1 gram / litre of water |
| |
Knapsack application |
5 grams / 10 litres water plus 10 ml ‘Pulse’ as penetrant |
| |
Handgun application |
35 grams / 100 litres water |
| Grazon® |
Cut vine treatment |
100 ml / litre of water |
| |
Knapsack application |
60 ml / 10 litres water |
| |
Handgun application |
400 ml / 100 litres water |
| Versatill® |
Knapsack application |
60 ml /10 litres water plus 10 ml ‘Pulse’ as penetrant |
Disclaimer: Although this content has been prepared in good faith from a number of sources believed to be reliable, Environment Waikato does not give any warranty that all information contained is accurate or complete, or that advice given will be appropriate in all circumstances. Mention of product trade names implies neither endorsement of those products nor criticisms of similar products not mentioned.
Further information
For further information and advice contact your local Biosecurity Plant Pest Contractor.
Check out our publications on plant pests.
Related publications
Visit our Waikato Regional Pest Management Strategy.
Pick up, download (730 kb, 104 seconds to download, 56k modem) or order 'What makes a pest a pest? - A guide to Waikatos pest management future' for free from our offices.
Pick up or order 'Plant me instead - Plants to use in place of common pest plants' for free from our offices.
Download the National Pest Plant Accord.
Pick up or order 'Poisonous plants and fungi in New Zealand - A guide for parents, schools and child minders' for $15 from our offices.