Invasive Plants - Early Detection

Just like we go to the doctor for routine checkups, our greenbelt’s health is being monitored so we can nip problems in the bud before they grow.  One of our Friends is documenting all of the invasive plant species in our greenbelt and the effort we spend removing them.

Found one!  Cat Claw Vine was documented in the greenbelt today for the first time.  This invasive vine has caused a big problem in Mayfield Nature Preserve where it has formed a blanket under the trees preventing understory plants from growing and using up valuable water that the trees need to survive our harsh conditions. 

 

These photos are of the cat claw vine in our greenbelt.

Surgery - Luckily the amount in our greenbelt is very small right now, so our Friend is talking with the Parks and Recreation Department and the Watershed Protection Department to let them know about the plan to remove it.  Once approved, our Friend will simply dig up the small tuber and throw it away.

Prevention is the Best Medicine – Cat Claw Vine is a woody vine that is sold as an ornamental plant.  It spreads by seeds and by runners.  If you have it in your yard then you can remove it by digging up the tubers and throwing them away.  Great native alternatives that you can use in your landscape include:

• Trumpet Vine
• Crossvine
• Passion Vine

Happy Gardening! For more earth-wise gardening tips for Austin visit www.GrowGreen.org

crossvine         passion vine         trumpet vine

January 10, 2013 Update

The Parks and Recreation & Watershed Protection Departments gave approval for the removal of this small grouping of cat claw vine sooooo.....

tonight was spent digging up invasive plant tubers.  We will continue to monitor the area to see if there are any new shoots but initial prognosis is good.