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Habitat
Originating in the tropics, this twining vine grows vigorously,
especially in moist sheltered areas. Most often seen in neglected
gardens and bushland edges, it smothers understorey plants and even
large trees in its quest for light.
Description
The stem is pale and hairy and climbs by twining around a support.
Leaves are large and heart-shaped or lobed.
Morning Glory is most easily recognised by its large bluish-purple
bell-shaped flowers seen from spring through summer and autumn.
On related species, the flowers may be white or pink.
Morning Glory rarely sets fruit in Sydney. Rather it relies on its
vigorous growth habits to spread. It is transferred from garden
to bushland by the dumping of off-cuts in garden waste.
Noxious Weed Category:
4
Control & Removal Methods
Where there are large areas of Morning Glory (and no other plants
you wish to retain) the leaves can be sprayed with glyphosate.
Alternatively, vines can be removed by hand by tracing each stem
and teasing out the roots produced at each growth node. Where plants
are well established a deep tap root may be present. This must be
dug out, or if digging is too difficult, the root and stem can be
scraped with a knife (do not sever the stem) and painted with glyphosate.
Vines up trees can be cut and left to die. After it is dead, the
vine will quickly rot or you can gently pull vines from trees by
working around the tree, taking care not to damage branches.
Keep an eye out for bird nests or ring-tailed possum dreys amongst
Morning Glory. Wait until bird nesting season is over before removing
Morning Glory or leave the cut vines in place to die slowly allowing
ring-tailed possums time to relocate.
Whether you spray or hand weed, any area where Morning Glory has
been removed must be monitored monthly as any missed stem or root
will reshoot and grow very quickly. You won’t get it first
go; perseverance is the key.
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