What is Cape Ivy?

Cape Ivy

Cape ivy is native to South Africa. It used to be called "German ivy" (Senecio mikanioides).

Around houses and yards. It may have been used as a container plant and escaped, or it may have been used in landscaping.
Along streets, roads and streams. Pieces can fly loose from a vehicle carrying yard debris, or pieces can break off and get transported in running water.
In the Redwood National and State Parks, populations exist at Nickel Creek and the Davison Ranch.

Cape ivy grows rapidly, and takes root wherever a leaf node touches the ground.
Tiny portions of stem can survive for long periods before resprouting.
Plants can live an extended period without light or water.
The dense vines overtop and smother out native shrubs, tree seedlings, and associated herbaceous plants.
Cape ivy is a threat to the integrity of coastal scrub and riparian vegetation.

The entire plant, including roots, are manually removed. Great care must be taken NOT to drop any fragments of the plant for they WILL sprout. The plants are allowed to dry and then burned.
On a monthly basis, resprouts need to be removed and burned.
Map out and begin the removal of cape ivy infestations from riparian areas at the headwaters. This will prevent fragments of cape ivy carried downstream by floods from re-infesting areas where you have removed it.

Do not attempt to remove the plant yourself. This plant spreads easily and sprouts from tiny, broken fragments. Ask your County Agricultural Agent for assistance. If in a park, contact the park Superintendent. If in the Redwood National and State Parks, notify the Vegetation Management branch at the South Operations Center in Orick (707-464-6101, ext. 5282).
Report all new sightings.
Discourage people from planting Cape ivy.
To get even more involved in control of exotic species, sign up as a Volunteer in Parks (VIP).