The RangiToTo obseRveR Page 10
February 18, 2022
War on weeds in seasonal full flight
Cut it out... Tabitha Becroft (left) and Hilary Miller deal to moth plant at Barrys Point Reserve. Its seed pods are shown below. Alligator weed at Lake Pupuke, shown flowering by the water (above, right), is being targeted by Michelle Morrison (opposite page). A group of volunteers is trying to rid Takapuna of moth plant, a “smotherer” that can kill natives. The Society Totally Against Moth Plants (STAMP) held an information session last month to educate the public about the white-flowering weed. Few people turned up on a summery evening, but Hilary Miller gave a rundown on what to look for – its white flowers and green fruit-like seed pods – and how to tackle the fast-growing vine. “It’s a smotherer and grows over and above the native plants,” Miller said. It is best to pull it out, including its roots, or if
it is too big, to cut the stem just above the ground and apply picloram. The vine can be left to dry out and die, but any seed pods must also be removed to prevent spread – they carry 600-800 seeds each, Miller said. The plant’s sap can cause a rash, so gloves and long sleeves are recommended. It is a myth that the plant is good for the caterpillars of monarch butterflies, Miller says. She had never seen them on it, but she has seen an adult monarch stuck in its sap. Tabitha Becroft from environmental group Pupuke Birdsong said the plant is a problem across Auckland.
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