The Problem with the invasive Rubber Vine
Rubber vine is a vigorous climber which can grow either as a many stemmed shrub 1-2 meters in height or scrambling up to 30 meters in trees. It was originally introduced into Australia as an ornamental shrub during the 1800’s. Rubber vine spreads through seeds borne by water or wind. It invades riparian vegetation along waterways hillsides and pastures and is poisonous to stock if eaten.
Rubber Vine is a Weed Of National Significance and is also Restricted Matter – Category 3 under the Biosecurity Act 2014. This means that it cannot be distributed or disposed of in any way.
The Rubber Vine plant
- Rubber Vine stems, leaves and unripe pods expel a milky sap when broken or cut.
- Leaves are in opposite and dark green, glossy 6-10 cm long and 3-5 cm wide.
- Flowers, they have five petals ranging from white to light purple arranged in a funnel shape.
- Seed pods 10-12 long, ridged and grow in pairs at the end of a short stalk.
- The seed pods contain 450 brown seeds. These seeds each have a tuft of long white silky hairs.
Case Studies
Rubber Vine Case Study
References
Qld Department of Agriculture and Fisheries fact sheet