Introduction:
Confederate vine (Antigonon leptopus) Weed.
Antigonon leptopus is a smothering vine that invades disturbed areas and forest edges. It produces many seeds, which are spread by water currents and animals that consume the fruit. It has become invasive in some Pacific Islands, and is naturalised in many other parts of the Pacific.
Description:
Antigonon leptopus is a “Robust vine growing to 10m long or more; petioles 0.6-1.5cm long; leaf blades 2.5-7.5 (10)cm long, cordate-ovate, hastate-ovate, or triangular, prominent reticulately veined, acutish to acuminate (and often apiculate), the lower ones much larger; inflorescence paniculate, the branches bearing flowers in clusters along the rachis, the rachis tip tendrillate; flowers bright pink or white, enlarging 1-4 (5)cm long; achenes conical, sharply 3-angled above, calyx 6mm long, much exceeded by the veiny, persistent, enlarged perianth.
Occurs in:
Ruderal/disturbed, urban areas.
Habitat description:
Prefers dry to moist lowland areas and limestone (basic) soils.
General impacts:
Antigonon leptopus is a smothering vine that invades disturbed areas and forest edges.
Distribution Map:
Confederate vine (Antigonon leptopus) Distribution in North America shown in green.
Notes:
Extensively invading disturbed areas and forest edges on the northern half of Guam; much less so on Saipan, Tinian and Yap. Although only a few cultivated plants were noted on Pohnpei, it is apparently not a recent introduction, as it was noted in cultivation by Glassman. Invasive in the Virgin Islands. Often escapes cultivation.
Close up of Confederate vine (Antigonon leptopus) Weed.
Geographical range:
Native range: Mexico, now common in tropical and warm countries.
Known introduced range: American Samoa , Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Fre
Local dispersal methods:
Consumption/excretion: Fruits and seeds are eaten and spread by domestic and wild animals such as birds and pigs.
Garden escape/garden waste: Often escapes cultivation.
Water currents: Seeds float on water, which helps transport them to new locations.
Management information:
Preventative measures: A Risk Assessment of Antigonon leptopus for Hawai‘i and other Pacific islands was prepared The alien plant screening system with minor modifications for use in Pacific islands. The result is a score of 19 and a recommendation of: “Likely to cause significant ecological or economic harm in Hawai‘i and on other Pacific Islands as determined by a high WRA score, which is based on published sources describing species biology and behaviour in Hawai‘i and/or other parts of the world.”
Physical: Cutting alone is ineffective. Underground tubers must be removed or plants will re-sprout.
Sourced From:
