Our Biosecurity Team have recently discovered the noxious weed bomarea (Bomarea multiflora) in the Milnthorpe Park and Collingwood area.
This climbing vine produces attractive red and yellow clustered flowers but is a significant pest plant. A fast-growing ornamental garden escapee, it invades along stream edges and riverbanks, shrublands, forest edges, forest remnants and intact low canopy forest.
The vines grow into the forest canopy, forming large masses, which overtop and smother supporting trees. Large infestations can alter light levels in forests, kill mature trees and prevent seedlings from establishing.
This noxious weed has the potential to cause significant ecological damage to a special part of our region and is something that our Biosecurity Team would like to get a better understanding of.
If you have seen Bomarea in the Golden Bay region, please contact our biosecurity staff on Biosecurity@tasman.govt.nz or 03 543 8400.
