“Help us stop the spread of pest plants before they come a problem

The Greater Wellington Biosecurity team needs your help to prevent the spread of moth plant, woolly nightshade and blue passionflower, which are becoming more established in the Wairarapa area. The damage caused by these three pest plants ranges from smothering and replacing native species, forming large masses, invading productive land to harming humans through poisonous seeds. 

These plants are still in relatively low numbers in the Wellington Region. Our specialists can help to identify and manage other potential pest plant species that identified in the Regional Pest Management Plan.

If you think you’ve seen one of these plants, contact Greater Wellington on 0800 496 734, email pest.plants@gw.govt.nz or visit www.gw.govt.nz/pest-plants/”

This month’s pest, the moth plant

Evergreen climbing vine that can grow up to 6 metres high Leaves: Dark green on top, greyish-green on the underside and arrow shaped. Older leaves may be thick and wavy Flowers: Clusters of cream and tubular-shaped flowers withpinkish centre

Fruit: Spongy, green, wrinkled fist-sized pods that once dry split open releasing hundreds of black seeds with silky threads attached

Stems: Light yellow, softwood, may ooze a sticky white sap which may irritate some people’s skin

Roots: Shallow taproot
 Where found: Gardens, forest edges, wasteland, coastal areas

What’s the problem?

Moth plant is a fast-growing vine that grows into the tree canopy and forms large masses that rapidly smother and replace vegetation. Also known as ‘cruel vine’ it can trap moths and butterflies in its flowers causing a slow cruel death. Mainly invades disturbed or low-canopy forest and forest margins .

What do I do? 

If you suspect you have moth plant or have seen it somewhere in the Wellington region, please contact us and we’ll come and have a look 

If it is moth plant, we will control it for free and record the sites location for future work 

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