Have you seen this plant? On the Hawaii State Noxious Weed List: Ivy gourd (Coccinia grandis) is a fast-growing, aggressive vine that smothers anything in its path. It rapidly covers power lines and invades disturbed forest, killing the plants it blankets, including mature trees.
Native to East Africa, ivy gourd is easily recognized by its white star-shaped flowers, red elongated fruit, and distinctive angular leaves. It is spread widely by fruit-eating birds and rodents, and also vegetatively by forming roots wherever a stem node touches the ground. This plant can regrow from tiny discarded stem fragments and green waste.
The Hawaii Pacific Weed Risk Assessment (HPWRA) Score for ivy gourd is 21 (high risk) and the State Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) has designated this species as one of Hawaii’s Most Invasive Horticultural Plants. Please do not plant this vine.
Ivy gourd is a KISC target. We are working to control it at several locations on Kauai. If you find this vine, please let us know – email kisc@hawaii.edu, include photos if possible.
More info:
- www.hear.org/species/coccinia_grandis
- www.kauaiisc.org/kiscpests/ivy-gourd
- Musings of a Weed Warrior – The Fight Against Ivy Gourd
