top of page
naturesfootprintsn

Understanding and Combating Old Man's Beard: A Threat to New Zealand's Biodiversity

Updated: Nov 5


Old Man's Beard a common pest plant in New Zealand
Old Man's Beard is a common pest plant in New Zealand

New Zealand's unique biodiversity, a treasure trove of native plants and animals found nowhere else in the world, is under immediate and severe threat. Invasive species, such as Old Man's Beard (Clematis vitalba), are leading the charge and endangering our natural heritage. Native Restorations shares some crucial tips on how communities can help identify and eradicate this noxious weed to halt its rapid and continuing spread.

 

Old Man's Beard is a resilient vine from Europe and Southwest Asia that severely threatens our native ecosystems, overpowering indigenous flora and reshaping habitats. It is seen strangling native flora across New Zealand, and even though efforts to control this pest species are in full effect, Old Man's Beard's hardiness and ability to spread are leaving many scratching their heads about how to manage this issue.

 

This invasive vine is famous for smothering and killing all plants, even in the highest canopy, while also preventing the establishment of native plant seedlings. It layers profusely from its stems and produces numerous long-lived seeds. It is highly tolerant of cold, moderate shade, damp, wind, salt, most soil types, and damage, making it a robust and resilient invader.



Old Mans Beard a common pest plant in NZ
Image courtesy of the Department Of Conservation (DOC), New Zealand.

 

What is Old Man's Beard?

Old Man's Beard is a deciduous vine native to Europe, which was introduced to New Zealand for ornamental purposes. Unfortunately, it has become one of the country's most problematic invasive species. This highlights the potential risks associated with introducing non-native species, as they can often outcompete and displace native species, leading to significant ecological and economic impacts.


Key Identifying Features:

Old Man's Beard is a deciduous vine that can climb up to 20 meters tall. Its long, woody stems are characterized by six prominent ribs that appear as furrows in older vines, and its pale bark is easily rubbed off. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs along the stems and consist of five leaflets that fall in autumn. These thin, papery leaflets are sparsely hairy with bluntly toothed or smooth edges. The plant produces creamy white, fragrant flowers from December to May, followed by distinctive grey, hairy seeds with long white plumes that persist through winter, giving the plant its common name. It's important to note that Old Man's Beard can be easily mistaken for other native plants, so it's crucial to look for these specific features to accurately identify it.

 

  • Leaves: Composed of five leaflets with toothed edges.

  • Flowers: Small, creamy white flowers that appear in clusters from December to May.

  • Seeds: Carried by the wind, seeds have long, feathery tails, giving the plant its common name.

  • Vines: Woody, brown stems that can become thick and rope-like with age.

 

The Impact of Old Man's Beard

Old Man's Beard poses multiple threats to New Zealand's native ecosystems for numerous reasons. One of the most concerning is the vine's ability to smother native vegetation with its rapid growth and blanket-like properties. This can lead to a significant loss of biodiversity, as it blocks the sunlight of native plants, preventing photosynthesis and potentially leading to their decline or death.


Old Man's Beard not only smothers native vegetation but also aggressively competes for resources, often leading to the decline or death of native plants. This disruption in the vegetation structure can have severe ecological consequences, as it alters habitats for our precious New Zealand native wildlife, threatening their survival and biodiversity.



Old Mans Beard
Old Mans Beard is resistant to frost and freezing conditions

 

How to Control and Remove Old Man's Beard

Effective control of Old Man's Beard requires a combination of mechanical and chemical methods. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you manage this invasive species:


  1. Cut the Vine Cut the vine close to the ground to prevent it from pulling down native plants. Avoid pulling the vine off the vegetation, which can disperse seeds and spread the plant further.

  2. Apply Herbicide When using herbicides to control Old Man's Beard, it's important to be aware of the potential risks and safety precautions. Immediately apply a suitable herbicide, such as Corteva Vigilant Herbicide Gel, to the cut ends of the vine. Ensure the roots and the cut vine receive herbicide treatment to prevent regrowth. Always read the herbicide or pesticide label thoroughly to ensure proper use, handling, and storage of the product. It's also important to wear protective clothing, such as gloves and goggles, and to avoid applying herbicides on windy days to prevent the spread of the chemicals.

  3. Managing the Cut Vine One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is attempting to pull the vine from the foliage around them. However, the most effective way of completely killing Old Mans Beard and preventing its spread is to leave the cut vine in place and ensure it is off the ground to allow the herbicide to take full effect. Secure the cut vine to other vegetation to keep it elevated.

  4. Follow-Up Treatments Revisit the site after a month to check for surviving vines. Reapply herbicide to any new growth to ensure thorough eradication. Once the vine is dead, removing it from adjoining foliage will be easy.

  5. Preventing Regrowth Stumps can resprout quickly, and cut stems can root at nodes. To prevent regrowth, replant bared areas promptly to minimise seedling regrowth and regularly check for and remove seedlings.

  6. Careful Disposal Leave the cut stems in the air to die and dispose of segments at a refuse transfer station or by burning. Do not add vines to compost or other garden waste areas.

 

Tips for Effective Control of Old Mans Beard

  • Persistence: Control efforts must be ongoing. Repeated treatments over several months may be necessary.

  • Preventing Spread: Always work carefully to avoid spreading seeds or plant fragments that can take root.

  • Professional Help: For large infestations, seek professional advice and services to ensure effective management.

 

Community Involvement and Education

At Native Restorations, we firmly believe in the power of community to combat invasive species like Old Man's Beard. Your involvement can make a significant difference. Here's how you can empower yourself and contribute:

 

Learn to Identify Invasive Plants: It's crucial to familiarise yourself with invasive species using resources such as field guides and online databases. This knowledge will empower you to take effective action against threats like Old Man's Beard.

 

Early detection and reporting of Old Man's Beard are crucial in preventing its spread: If you spot Old Man's Beard in your area, it's important to inform local authorities or conservation agencies immediately. This can help in the early identification and control of the invasive species, potentially preventing its establishment and spread in new areas.

 

Participate in Conservation Activities: Join local eradication efforts and support habitat restoration projects.

 

Native Restorations' Commitment To Removing Old Mans Beard

Native Restorations is dedicated to preserving New Zealand's natural heritage through invasive species control, habitat restoration, and community education. Our comprehensive approach includes:

 

  • Pest Plant Removal: Manual removal and herbicide application to eradicate invasive species.

  • Invasive Species Control: Implementing a combination of control measures to manage and prevent the spread of invasive plants.

  • Community Education: Empowering individuals to identify and manage pest plants in their backyards.

 

Old Man's Beard is a formidable enemy of New Zealand's native flora, but we can protect our natural ecosystems with informed action and community effort. By learning to identify and control this invasive plant, you are a key player in safeguarding New Zealand's biodiversity. Let's unite to restore and preserve our unique environment for future generations.

 

Key Takeaways for Combating Old Man's Beard in New Zealand

 

Identification: Recognise Old Man's Beard by its woody stems with six ribs, opposite pairs of leaves with five leaflets, creamy white flowers (Dec-May), and grey, hairy seeds with long plumes.


Impact: Smothers and kills native plants, competes for resources, and disrupts habitats, threatening biodiversity.


Spread: Disperses seeds through wind and water; spreads via stem fragments in dumped vegetation.


Control Methods: Cut the vine close to the ground, avoiding seed dispersal. Apply herbicide immediately to cut ends to prevent regrowth. Manage cut vine and leave in place to let herbicide take full effect. Check and treat new growth after a month. Replant areas and regularly check for seedlings. Dispose of cut stems by burning or at a refuse transfer station.


Community Involvement: Learn to identify invasive plants, report sightings, and participate in local eradication and habitat restoration efforts.


Persistence: Ongoing control and repeated treatments are necessary to effectively manage and eradicate Old Man's Beard.


AS SEEN IN:

 

Page 13, The Blenheim Sun Newspaper

233 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page