General description

Deciduous, perennial woody climber < 6m tall. Leaves are bi-pinnate and < 15 x 12 cm. Flowers are white, < 3 cm in diameter, and borne in January – March. Seeds have a white hairy plume and ripen in May.

What you need to know

To help protect our environment:

You must not breed, distribute, release or sell Clematis flammula. As Clematis flammula is a National Pest Plant Accord species, these restrictions apply within the Auckland region and across the whole of New Zealand.
You must not plant Clematis flammula within the Auckland region, unless you are transferring an existing plant on your land to another location within the boundaries of the same property.
You must destroy any Clematis flammula on land that you occupy if it has been planted in breach of the above rules and you are directed to do so by an authorised person.

If you see Clematis flammula anywhere on Aotea/Great Barrier Island group, please report it to Auckland Council at pestfree@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

Habitats

Roadsides, scrub, forest margins, gardens, farmland, hedgerows, fencelines.

Dispersal

Seeds dispersed by wind and water. Vegetative spread from stem fragments.

Impact on environment

Smothers vegetation.

Control

Site Management

Cut and pull vines away from desirable trees and native plants before foliar spraying. Follow up treated areas 3 times per year. Encourage natural regeneration of native plants or replant treated areas where possible after 2-3 treatments to establish dense ground cover and minimise reinvasion.

Recommended approaches

Do not attempt to undertake control of this species on Aotea/Great Barrier Island group. Please report to Auckland Council if seen on Aotea/Great Barrier Island group.

Physical control

Method: Cut vines and leave upper stems to die in trees or dig out

Plant parts requiring disposal: All parts (except vines if left to die in trees)

Disposal options: Compost in a composting weed bag or remove to greenwaste or landfill

Biocontrol

Biocontrol is currently not available for this species.

Community agrichemical control recommendations

No qualifications
For small infestations:
Cut stump and paste freshly cut base of stems with metsulfuron gel

Basic Growsafe certified
For small infestations:
Cut stump and spray freshly cut base with 1g metsulfuron-methyl per 1 L of water

Certified Handler/Experienced agrichemical user
For medium to large infestations:
Cut vines at waist height and foliar spray vines on the ground with 5g metsulfuron-methyl per 10L of water and 20ml penetrant

CAUTION: When using any herbicide or pesticide please read the label thoroughly to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.

Similar species

Clematis vitalba

Old man's beard has pinnate leaves rather than the bi-pinnate leaves of Clematis flammula.

Clematis paniculata

Native Clematis spp are evergreen, have 3 leaflets, much larger flowers, flower in spring not summer, have smooth or slightly rough bark that is not ribbed.

Search tags

RPMP status

Aotea (Exclusion)
National Pest Plant Accord Species
Whole region (Sustained Control)

Clematis Flammula