Scientific name: Araujia sericifera

Description

• Vigorous, woody creeper with a shallow root system
• Twining stems are finely hairy and contain a toxic milky sap
• Opposite paired leaves, up to 10 centimetres long, roughly triangular in shape with a white coloured underside
• Flowers are white, cream or pale pink
• Large fruit resemble choko fruits with pale green skin
• Fruits dry and split open when ripe, releasing wind-borne seeds on silky hairs.

Problem

• Smothers and can crush native vegetation.
• Poisonous.

Weed status - environmental weed

Environmental weeds are not listed under the Act and there is no regulation for their control.

Although, not declared, these weeds do cause serious environmental harm and where practical, should be managed.

Control method

Foliar Spray

Herbicide is diluted with water at a specific rate, and sprayed over the foliage to point of runoff.

Most suited to shrubs, grasses and dense vines less than six metres tall.

Manual and Mechanical Removal

Manual control uses hands or hand tools to control weeds.

This can be an effective control as it can minimize soil disturbance and can instantly remove the entire weed.

Mechanical control suits larger infestations, using power tools and machinery to reduce the bulk of the problem.

Mechanical control can include slashing, mowing, dozing, harvesting, and felling.

Cut Stump

Involves lopping the weed close to the ground and then spraying the stump immediately (within 15 seconds) with herbicide to ensure absorption.

Basal Bark Spraying

Involves mixing a suitable herbicide in diesel and spraying the full circumference of the plant’s trunk or stem, completely wetting 30 to 45 centimetres from the ground level up the stem.

Herbicide warning

Before using any herbicide always read the label carefully and ensure that the chemical is registered for use on the target weed. All herbicides must be applied strictly in accordance with the directions on the label.