For a ground breaking idea with a difference, the Department of Conservation in Kaitaia is offering ‘cash for weeds’, in a campaign aimed at ridding the Far North of two particularly nasty plants. 

Ochna Serrulata.

Mickey Mouse plant (Ochna serrulata) and Chocolate vine (Akebia quinnata) are the targets of the campaign.  The cute names and good looks of these weeds are deceptive, as they may appear innocent, but if they are allowed to gain a strong-hold in our forests, they could have serious consequences on our native plants and trees.  

Kaitaia Department of Conservation Weeds Ranger, Evan Ward, said the plants are still only found in a few places in the Far North.

“This gives us a fantastic opportunity to eradicate Chocolate vine and Mickey Mouse plants, as if we can locate them all, we can get rid of them before they become a major problem,” Mr Ward said.  DOC is keen to involve the people of the Far North in the eradication programme, as by getting the community involved, the chances of locating the plants is much higher.  

“That’s where the ‘cash for weeds’ scheme comes in.” 

“We’ve partnered with some of our local garden centres to provide free $20 plant vouchers to anyone who tells us of the location of Chocolate vine and Mickey Mouse plants. 

“If the plants are positively identified, we will remove the plants and give a $20 voucher to the person who provided us with the information.”

The scheme will be running throughout August and September. 

Information about the campaign, as well as identification sheets, is available at Lemonwood, CBEC and River of Life and at the DOC office in Kaitaia, 25 Matthews Ave (next to RD1).

Akebia Quinata.

Are you wanting to identify an unknown weed, but not sure where to start? Here are some useful information sources:

Books

The best weed identification books for New Zealanders are published by the New Zealand Plant Protection Society. They are:

• A Guide to the Identification of New Zealand Common Weeds in Colour compiled by E.A. Upritchard

• An Illustrated Guide to Common Weeds of New Zealand by Roy, Popay, Champion, James and Rahman

You can find out more about these books on the Plant Protection Society website: http://www.hortnet.co.nz/publications.

Websites

Here are some of the relevant ones to New Zealand lifestyle block owners:

• http://www.envbop.govt.nz/Weeds/Weed-Index.asp: Environment Bay of Plenty hosts an excellent site for the identification of weed species in New Zealand.

• http://weeds.massey.ac.nz: Massey Univer-sity has a website called New Zealand Weeds, designed for members of the public as well as students studying weed science.

• http://www.doc.govt.nz: The Department of Conservation website, features fact sheets on banana passionfruit, climbing asparagus, ivy, Japanese honeysuckle, Mexican daisy, old man’s beard, pampas, Tradescantia, undaria, wild ginger, wilding pines.