Madeira Vine is a declared a Weed of National Significance. A perennial, twining or climbing vine, forming large numbers of tubers along stems and from the roots. One of the worst weeds of the Enoggera catchment. In bushland, the vines engulf native species, reducing light penetration and often killing the plant underneath. Stems are hairless and grow in a twining fashion. Opposite, slightly fleshy (succulent) and hairless (glabrous) leaves. Leaf stalks (petioles) to 20 mm. Leaves are more or less heart shaped (cordate) or broadly egg-shaped (ovate), tapering to a point or almost rounded at the tip. Knobby tubers form on the stems. Produces masses of drooping flower spikes to 25 cm. Each inflorescence bears numerous small, white, fragrant flowers. A declared species in New South Wales.
Photo: Robert Whyte
Tubers
The aerial tubers pose significant challenges for bushcarers. When disturbed, they can scatter through the site. A tuber as small as the end joint of your little finger can be cut into dozens of pieces, nearly all of which will sprout. Madeira Vine is a common weed of urban areas and bush gullies. It was originally introduced to Australia from South America as an ornamental climber. This vine spreads quickly, entwining its stems around any nearby structure or other plant up to 40 metres in height. Also (wrongly) known as potato vine (because of the tubers) and lamb’s tail (because of the flowers). New vines can sprout from even fragments of tubers, which should be bagged and taken off site. It is edible, being closely related to Vine Spinach Basella alba.
Photo: Robert Whyte
Flowers
This photograph was taken in a patch of remnant dry rainforest scrub near Walton Bridge Reserve, The Gap.
Photo: Mark Crocker
Flowers Close-up
To remove big vines, scrape the stems low down and apply neat glyphosate then wait for the vine to die. That way the vine takes up the poison and the aerial tubers die. If you dig Madiera up by the roots, you are in danger of have viable tubers rain down all around. Small plants can be treated with foliate spray or dug out by hand and removed from the site. The close-up shows the flower structure of an inflorescence of Anredera cordifolia. As with many weeds, the flowers are pretty.
Photo: Mark Crocker
