Blue Bell Creeper

[Bluetongue]

We don't really have every weed known to Victoria, but have thought of another to mention here.

Bluebell Creeper - Sollya heterophylla, I think.

Indigenous to WA, but a weed here in VIC. I'm guessing it's spread by birds (?) Noticed in Shaman Australis Botanicals forum that someone has fresh fruit to share. It's a beautiful plant Wouldnt try eating it though.

[kieran]

[size=12]Its deffinetly sread by birds!!!
i work for a small business called Bush Repair in SA and we do alot of work with blue bell creeper. its a horrible weed!!!
..i wouldnt eat it either!!! [/size][/size]

[Mycke]

I have Sollya growing here. A lovely plant with blue flowers most of the year. Mind you, this is the 'proper' range for it. I have tried eating the fruit, when it is really ripe, but it is insignificant and not worth the effort IMHO.

[roughbarked]

We humans have treated our environment rather arrogantly, apparently due to ignorance.

"Evidence pointed to a disturbing conclusion: conservation arguments appear to have influence with decision-makers only when it is too late'', he said.

''If the history of our engagement with this environment has taught us anything at all, it should be that we have been blind-sided by our arrogance. It should have taught us humility. There was a rapidly expanding body of research pointing to a hard-wired fallibility in human interaction with the environment." ~ from Ken Henry's damning report on the disgrace of environmental management in Australia. http://www.smh.com.au/environment/water ... -r59k.html

Moving weeds about whether they are native to Australia or not is definitely irresponsible mismanagement of our surrounds.

[eataust]

I've got one on the front verandah. I did try the fruit but as noted above, it's not worth it - not actively toxic, but not worth the effort either.

While it's managing our freezing/baking climate very well, I haven't seen it becoming weedy in this area (that is, I'm yet to see another plant self-seeded on my 117 acres or on neighbouring properties). It may have specific germination requirements that our climate or soils doesn't supply *phew*

I'll keep in mind that it could become weedy, however.

[flo]

Sollya or blue-bell creeper- Billardiera heterophylla although a rather lovely native in Western Australia is known to be weedy in the Adelaide Hills and some coastal districts where it can become a serious "garden escapee".
It is usually spread by birds after they have eaten the cylindrical berries when they ripen to a purplish colour.
This is different to Bridal Creeper, Asparagus asparagoides, from South Africa, although also spread by birds and foxes eating the ripe berries. This is a Weed of National Significance and a proclaimed plant in SA.
The Sollya or Blue-bell creeper in SA should not be confused with the native Billardiera cymosa or Sweet Apple-berry that has similar leaves but different flower structure. This one has dark purple to brown fruits in late summer to autumn. It is known to have widely been used as a food plant by Aboriginal people. There are other species B. scandens and B. longiflora that grow in the East of the country.
http://www.sgapqld.org.au/bushtucker19.html

[flo]

Apparently the WA Blue-bell Creeper has had a name change and is now referred to as Billardiera fusiformis, it is a Pittosporaceae.

[flo]

....but wait there's more...
Western Australian bluebell creeper, Billardiera fusiformis has a weedy distribution in ACT, NSW, SA, Tas, and Vic as well as in USA.
This text says "this plant contains toxins, which can cause skin irritation and nausea" and to wear gloves when handling.

(Blood, 'Environmental weeds-A field Guide for SE Australia', 2001, p120.)

[Bluetongue]

Thanks for the info, flo!

[boylesg]

Thanks for the info, flo!

Is Sollya heterophila as bad as Boxthorn or artichoke thistle any where in southern Australia?

It is my observation to date that Aus native weeds are never really as bad as most of the exotic weeds. Pittosporum undulatum is probably the worst of the native weeds in the northern metropolitan Melbourne region but never the less infestations always seem to be fairly localised and managable. Compare that to Boxthorn and artichoke thistle that are spread quite thickly over vast areas.

[roughbarked]

Thanks for the info, flo!

Is Sollya heterophila as bad as Boxthorn or artichoke thistle any where in southern Australia?

It is my observation to date that Aus native weeds are never really as bad as most of the exotic weeds. Pittosporum undulatum is probably the worst of the native weeds in the northern metropolitan Melbourne region but never the less infestations always seem to be fairly localised and managable. Compare that to Boxthorn and artichoke thistle that are spread quite thickly over vast areas.

It stands to reason that the introduced weeds which out compete natives, have the advantage.

Though I'd be wary of planting the wrong wattle for the location.