Rubber vine (Cryptostegia grandiflora)

Rubber vine is a many-stemmed shrub that can climb 30 m into tree canopies or grow to an unsupported height of 3 m. All parts of the plant are poisonous to livestock and people.

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How does this weed affect you?

Rubber vine is a woody shrub or climber that can form dense thickets. It:

• smothers and kills other plants
• invades pastures, waterways and natural areas
• makes livestock movement and mustering difficult
• can reduce food and shelter for native animals
• can reduce water quality of streams
• is poisonous to people and animals.

 Human health

• Sap from the plant irritates skin and can cause burning, rashes and blisters.
• Dust from dried plants can cause irritation to the throat, nose and eyes.
• All parts of the plant are poisonous if eaten.

What to do if a person is poisoned:

• If the patient is unconscious, unresponsive or having difficulty breathing dial 000 or get to the emergency section of a hospital immediately.
• If the patient is conscious and responsive call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 or your doctor.
• If going to a hospital take a piece of the plant for identification.

Livestock poisoning

All parts of rubber vine plants are poisonous to livestock including cattle, sheep, goats and horses. Grazing livestock rarely eat much rubber vine except when other feed is scarce. Animals have died from eating feed in areas where dry rubber vine leaves has fallen on the ground. 

Rubber vine contains cardiac glycosides. These compounds affect the heart, brain and gut. Cattle that eat a small amount of rubber vine may die from heart failure after vigorous exercise (e.g. mustering). The most common symptom is diarrhoea usually with blood present.

What does it look like?

Rubber vine is a perennial many-stemmed woody shrub or vine that can scramble high into tree canopies. It can grow to 3 m tall unsupported. 

Leaves are:

• glossy dark green often with a red or purplish midrib 
• oval-shaped with tapered ends and a pointed tip
• 6–10 cm long and 3–5 cm wide
• the leaf stalk is reddish or purplish 
• in opposite pairs along the stem.

Flowers are:

• trumpet-shaped with five light-purple, pink or white petals
• up to 5 cm long and wide
• present all year but mostly in summer.

Seed pods are:

• rigid 
• triangular in cross-section
• up to 12 cm long and 4 cm wide
• usually in pairs at the end of short stalks (sometimes present as single pods and less often as triple pods)
• usually present from December till April.

Seeds are:

• brown
• a flattened oval shape with a tuft of long, white, silky hairs at one end
• numerous, up to 840 per fruit.

Stems are:

• greyish brown 
• smooth
• dotted with small light coloured pores (lenticels)
• filled with milky sap that seeps out when stems are broke

There are two types of stems:

• branched with many leaves, up to 2 m long
• unbranched ‘whips’ with fewer leaves that help the plant climb onto nearby vegetation, 3–8 m long.

Roots are:

• up to 12 m deep. 

Similar looking plants:

Rubber vine looks similar to these introduced plants:

• Purple rubber vine or ornamental rubber vine (Cryptostegia madagascariensis) which has smaller dark pink flowers, smaller fruit (less than 10 cm) and never has purple leaf stalks or midribs. 
• Purple allamanda (Allamanda blanchetii), which has leaves arranged in whorls of 3 or more and rounded fruit. 

It also looks similar to this native vine:

• Bower vine (Pandorea jasminoides), which has hairy flowers with a red throat and its pods are much smaller only 6 cm long and 2 cm wide. The leaves are made up of 4-7 leaflets which are up to 6 cm long and 3 cm wide. 

Where is it found?

Rubber vine has been found at several properties in north west NSW. Plants were found growing around homesteads and sheds, and are under an eradication program.

Rubber vine is native to southwestern Madagascar. It now grows throughout East Africa, Southeast Asia, the United States and Central and Southern America.

It was planted in the 1860s in northern Queensland mining town gardens. By 1917 there were reports of infestations. During the Second World War it was cultivated as a potential source of rubber.  It has spread through many parts of Queensland including the south of Cape York, Gulf of Carpentaria, along the coast south to Bundaberg and as far west as the Northern Territory border. 

What type of environment does it grow in?

Rubbervine grows in semi-arid regions with tropical or subtropical climates. Although it can grow in semi-arid regions it needs adequate water and is often found growing along waterways or in areas with water run-off. It grows in many soil types but is more likely to germinate in soils that retain moisture. It can tolerate shade and a wide range of temperatures. Frosts will kill the aerial parts of the plant. 

Maps and records

• Recorded presence of Rubber vine during property inspections (Map: Biosecurity Information System - Weeds, 2017-2024)
  These records are made by authorised officers during property inspections under the Biosecurity Act 2015. Officers record the presence of priority weeds in their council area and provide this to the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Records reflect the presence of the weed on the date of inspection.
  
  

How does it spread?

By seed

One hectare of rubber vine can produce millions of seeds each year. The fresh seeds have high viability (95%) and most can remain viable for 6 to 8 months. If conditions are too dry, most seeds will die after one year. Seeds can remain viable for more than a month within the seed pod, even when the pods are floating in saltwater. 

Seeds are spread short distances by wind and longer distances by water. Seed pods float, helping spread seed along waterways. Seeds can also spread attached to animal fur and in soil or mud stuck to machinery.

References

CRC for Australian Weed Management. (2003) Weed Management Guide: Rubber vine. CRC for Australian Weed Management and the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Heritage.

McKenzie, R. (2012). Australia's poisonous plants, fungi and cyanobacteria: a guide to species of medical and veterinary importance. CSIRO.

Parsons, W.T., & Cuthbertson, E. G. (2001). Noxious weeds of Australia. CSIRO publishing.

Queensland Government (2016). Weeds of Australia, Biosecurity Queensland edition Fact sheet: Cryptostegia grandiflora (Roxb.) R. Br. Retrieved 6 November 2021 from https://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/media/Html/cryptostegia_grandiflora.htm

Tomley, A. J. (1998). Cryptostegia grandiflora Roxb. ex R.Br. In R.H. Groves, R.C.H. Shepherd, & R.G. Richardson, (Eds) The Biology of Australian Weeds. Vol 2. RG and FJ Richardson. Melbourne.

More information

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Control

Please do not attempt to treat or dispose of this weed yourself. Report this plant if you see it anywhere in NSW by calling the helpline listed at the top of this page immediately. 

NSW DPI will lead an initial response for the treatment and disposal of the plant to stop it from spreading.

Chemical control

Spraying, basal bark applications and the cut stump method can be used to control rubber vine. Contact the helpline and assistance will be provided to eradicate this weed.

Biological control

Currently the aim is to eradicate all rubber vine in NSW so there is no need to release biological control agents, which only help to contain weeds.

Two biological control agents have been released in Queensland where rubber vine is widespread:

• rubber vine rust Maravalia cryptostegiae
• a moth Euclasta whalleyi

Both biological control agents cause leaf damage, reduced flowering, less seed pods and death in some rubber vine plants.  The caterpillars of the moth feed on the leaves between March and October. The rust causes leaves to turn yellow and drop off, mostly in the wet season. These agents have spread in Queensland where there are heavy infestations of rubber vine.

Herbicide options

See Using herbicides for more information.

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PERMIT 90342 Expires 31/12/2025
Picloram 100 g/L + Triclopyr 300 g/L + Aminopyralid 8 g/L (Grazon Extra®)
Rate: 350-500 mL / 100 L water
Comments: Spot spray using hand held equipment. Can be used around domestics residences, homesteads gardens, sheds, and agricultural buildings when detected as part of an eradication program. See permit for further critical use comments.
Withholding period: Where product is used to control woody weeds in pastures there is a restriction of 12 weeks for use of treated pastures for making hay and silage; using hay or other plant material for compost, mulch or mushroom substrate; or using animal waste from animals grazing on treated pastures for compost, mulching, or spreading on pasture/crops.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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PERMIT 90342 Expires 31/12/2025
Triclopyr 240 g/L + Picloram 120 g/L (Access™ )
Rate: 1 L / 60 L diesel
Comments: Basal bark and cut stump application. Can be used around domestics residences, homesteads gardens, sheds, and agricultural buildings when detected as part of an eradication program. See permit for further critical use comments.
Withholding period: Nil
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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PERMIT 90342 Expires 31/12/2025
Triclopyr 600 g/L (Garlon® 600)
Rate: 1 L / 60 L of diesel
Comments: Basal bark and cut stump application. Can be used around domestics residences, homesteads gardens, sheds, and agricultural buildings when detected as part of an eradication program. See permit for further critical use comments.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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Metsulfuron-methyl 600 g/kg (Various products)
Rate: 15 g per 100 L of water
Comments: Hand gun application. Do not apply to bushes more than 3 m tall. Apply October to April, ensuring thorough spray coverage of all foliage.
Withholding period: Nil (recommended not to graze for 7 days before treatment and for 7 days after treatment to allow adequate chemical uptake in target weeds).
Herbicide group: 2 (previously group B), Inhibition of acetolactate and/or acetohydroxyacid synthase (ALS, AHAS inhibitors)
Resistance risk: High

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Metsulfuron-methyl 75 g/kg + Aminopyralid 93.7 g/kg (Di-Bak AM)
Rate: 1 capsule for every 10 cm of circumference
Comments: Capsule herbicide: See critical comments on the label for details on how to apply and seal the capsule into the sapwood of the tree trunk.
Withholding period: Nil
Herbicide group: 2 (previously group B), Inhibition of acetolactate and/or acetohydroxyacid synthase (ALS, AHAS inhibitors) + 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: High/Moderate

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Picloram 100 g/L + Triclopyr 300 g/L + Aminopyralid 8 g/L (Grazon Extra®)
Rate: 350 or 500 mL in 100 L of water
Comments: Hand gun application
Withholding period: Where product is used to control woody weeds in pastures there is a restriction of 12 weeks for use of treated pastures for making hay and silage; using hay or other plant material for compost, mulch or mushroom substrate; or using animal waste from animals grazing on treated pastures for compost, mulching, or spreading on pasture/crops.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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Triclopyr 240 g/L + Picloram 120 g/L (Access™ )
Rate: 1 L per 60 L of diesel (or biodiesel such as Biosafe).
Comments: Basal bark application for plants with stems up to 5 cm diameter at the base. Cut stump application can be used for plants with stems up to and in excess of 5 cm diameter at the base. Treat all stems on multi-stem plants. See label for information about biodiesel. For Agricultural non-crop areas, commercial and industrial areas, fence lines, forestry, pastures and rights-of-way.
Withholding period: Nil
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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Triclopyr 600 g/L (Garlon® 600)
Rate: 1 L per 60 L of diesel
Comments: Basal bark application for plants up to 5 cm basal diameter Liberally spray or paint all the way around the stem from ground level up to 30 cm high, wetting thoroughly to the point of runoff. DO NOT apply to wet stems as this can repel the diesel mixture. For Agricultural non-crop areas, commercial and industrial areas, forests, pastures and rights of way.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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Triclopyr 600 g/L (Garlon® 600)
Rate: 1.0 L in 60 L of diesel
Comments: Cut stump method: cut all stems within 15 cm above the ground. Paint or spray the herbicide mix onto the cut surface and sides of the stem mixture within 15 seconds of cutting. For Agricultural non-crop areas, commercial and industrial areas, forests, pastures and rights of way.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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Biosecurity duty

The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.

Area	Duty
All of NSW	General Biosecurity Duty All pest plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable.
All of NSW	Prohibited Matter A person who deals with prohibited matter or a carrier of prohibited matter is guilty of an offence. A person who becomes aware of or suspects the presence of prohibited matter must immediately notify the Department of Primary Industries

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Reviewed 2024