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Why it is a pest plant
Climbing spindleberry (Celastrus orbiculatus) is an aggressive invader that threatens native bush, forestry and open areas. It climbs over vegetation, smothering and killing underlying plants.
Mature vines are massive, reaching up to 19 m tall and up to 200 mm in diameter. Seedlings grow rapidly (0.3-3 m annually) and the plant reproduces prolifically from seed, which is rapidly dispersed to new areas by birds. It can also re-sprout from its extensive root system. Environment Waikato and Landcare Research studies have shown that climbing spindleberry is shade tolerant and will invade mature native forest.
Climbing spindleberry is currently found in localised sites stretching from Warkworth to Banks Peninsula. In the Waikato region, most sites are south of Hamilton, mainly in the Taupo and King Country areas.
How to recognise this pest plant
Climbing spindleberry is a woody perennial (continues growing year after year) vine, sometimes occurring as a trailing shrub. It climbs by wrapping its stems around other vegetation. This pest is best recognised by its distinctive yellow/orange leaf colour during autumn.
When the berries are ripe, they split open revealing three red-orange arils containing seeds. These brightly coloured fruits have made climbing spindleberry popular for use in floral arrangements. Climbing spindleberry has separate male and female plants. Both sexes will produce flowers, but only the female plants will produce berries.
Identifying features
- Leaves are glossy, variable, usually oval, and most often have drip tips. They are finely toothed and arranged alternatively along the stem.
- Leaves are 50-100 mm long (up to 150 mm in shade), green in colour turning bright yellow in autumn. It is deciduous (it loses its leaves in winter).
- Flowers are greenish in colour and in small clusters.
- Flowers are 4-10 mm in diameter with five petals.
- Fruits are 6-8 mm in diameter and green in colour, changing to yellow and then yellow-orange in early winter.
- Only the female vines have berries, which split open when ripe (in winter).
- The outer surface of the roots is characteristically bright orange.
- The vine has a diameter of up to 200 mm.
- The bark of climbing spindleberry is greyish-brown with lenticles (raised areas), which can form sharp spines on winter growth.
Responsibility for control
Environment Waikato works with land occupiers to control climbing spindleberry on their properties. Where effective control is difficult (large infestations or difficult access), Environment Waikato will undertake control work.
Climbing spindleberry is banned from sale, propagation, distribution and commercial display.
If you think you have seen climbing spindleberry, please call 0800 BIOSECURITY (0800 246 732) to report it to your local biosecuirty pest plant contractor.
How to control climbing spindleberry
Physical control
For small infestations in areas sensitive to herbicides, grubbing or cutting can be effective. Grub out all roots and runners. Any parts of the root system not removed will re-sprout. Persistence is needed to re-cut or grub new growth every two weeks so that the food stores in the root are exhausted. Treatment should begin in spring and be repeated every two weeks until autumn.
Herbicide control
Cut and treat stump
Cut the vines 5 cm above the ground and then treat the stump and the stem immediately, with Vigilant® Gel. Read and follow the instructions on the manufacturer's label. Always cut a section of vine off so the dangling vine is at lease 500 mm above the ground. Cut vines that touch the ground will re-grow.1
Foliage spray
For large infestations it may be necessary to spray the foliage with Grazon®, Escort®, Tordon® Brushkiller / Gold or Roundup®. Read and follow the instructions on the manufacturer's label. Thoroughly wet all foliage but don't over spray because herbicide dripping off the leaves will affect non-target plants underneath.
When using herbicides:
- read the instructions on the manufacturer's lable closely
- always wear protective clothing
- always minimise the risk to desirable plants
- contact the supplier for further advice.
More information
For further advice contact your local biosecurity pest plant contractor on 0800 BIOSECURITY (0800 246 732).
For more information on what we do phone Environment Waikato's freephone 0800 800 401.
For more information on pest plants, check out the Weedbusters website.
Related publications
View our Waikato Regional Pest Management Strategy.
'What makes a pest a pest? - A guide to Waikato's pest management future' download (730 kb, 104 seconds to download, 56k modem), order or pick up 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.
Pick up or order the 'National Pest Plant Accord Manual' for $10 from our offices, or view it online for free.
Pick up or order 'Poisonous plants and fungi in New Zealand - A guide for parents, schools and child minders' for $15 from our offices.
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.