Kapok vine (also called Moth vine) Araujia sericifera is a nasty weed that invades bushland. It is originally from South America and was introduced as an ornamental garden plant soon after the arrival of Europeans.
There are a number of reasons that Kapok vine is a problem in our bushland. It has a climbing habit and grows into a thick mat that smothers native mid-storey plants like wattles (Acacia species) and Tree violet (Melicytus dentatus). It produces pods with numerous seeds that have a fluffy plume that carries them on this wind to colonise new sites. Kapok vine has no value as food for animals; in fact, it is toxic and produces white irritating sap when the plant is broken. Overall Kapok vine reduces and degrades bushland habitat available to native wildlife.
WCS has been managing Kapok vine at Banyule Flats for several years. Control is a labour-intensive process that involves physically removing vines from trees and shrubs, bagging any seed pods present for removal, and poisoning vines at their base. Gloves and glasses are essential due to the irritating sap that oozes from vines as they are removed. During covid-19 lock downs Kapok vine control was something that could be tackled by small groups when it was not possible to have larger gatherings. We have continued to undertake ad hoc Kapok vine weeding since, most recently assisted by Duke of Edinburgh students from Viewbank Secondary College. Monitoring for new outbreaks and revisiting previously weeded sites is essential for success.
