Dipogon lignosus

Botanical Description

Dipogon lignosus is a climbing, perennial plant with twining stems that become more or less woody, especially near the base. The stems can be up to 4 metres long, scrambling over the ground and twining into the surrounding vegetation for support[ 413 Title Global Invasive Species Database Publication Author Website http://www.issg.org/database/welcome/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Very detailed information on almost 400 species (with more being added) of plants that have become weeds in areas outside their native range. , 1009 Title New South Wales Government; Pest and Weeds Management Publication Author Website http://weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A website with very well-produced factsheets on over 300 noxious and environmental weeds of New South Wales ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. An ornamental plant, it is grown in gardens for its attractive flowers and dense foliage, and is also sometimes used as a green manure and cover crop[ 317 Title Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants Publication Author Website http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336 Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Terse details of a huge range of useful plants. ]. Often cultivated as an ornamental, especially in S. Africa, Australia and New Zealand, Dipogon lignosus has escaped from gardens, especially in coastal areas, and become invasive in bushland, heathland and dunes. The plant vigorously seeds and its growth is relentless. In a short time period this species can smother indigenous vegetation. It climbs over shrubs and trees weighing them down and eventually causing them to break. It will also spread horizontally over the ground, smothering native groundcover plants. As a nitrogen fixer, it can increase soil fertility, paving the way for other weeds to invade. It is a locally controlled weed in parts of eastern Australia[ 413 Title Global Invasive Species Database Publication Author Website http://www.issg.org/database/welcome/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Very detailed information on almost 400 species (with more being added) of plants that have become weeds in areas outside their native range. , 1009 Title New South Wales Government; Pest and Weeds Management Publication Author Website http://weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A website with very well-produced factsheets on over 300 noxious and environmental weeds of New South Wales ].