Climbing spindleberry is a deciduous climbing vine, notable for the sharp spines sometimes found on the young shoots. It can grow up to 12 – 15 metres high.
The leaves are round, 5 – 10 cm long, alternate on the stem and have fine teeth on the margins. Climbing spindleberry produces round yellow to orange fruits from late summer to early winter, which are eaten by birds.
This pest weed is spread by birds and seeds can be viable for up to five years. It is shade tolerant, meaning it will grow in most places.
It is an aggressive, rapidly growing scrambling climber with suckering roots and stems that can take root when they touch the ground. It can smother native trees and form dense thickets, and even strangle pine trees!
Because of its unremarkable appearance, this pest can be hard to spot among other vegetation during summer. There is a small window in late autumn when it becomes visible, as the leaves change to yellow before dropping off. This should be occurring now.
Climbing spindleberry is an eradication species in our Regional Pest Management Plan. If you think you have seen it around our region, please get in touch with our Biosecurity Team at biosecurity@tasman.govt.nz or on 03 543 8400.