Moonflower (Ipomoea alba)

Also known as: white morning glory

Moonflower is a scrambling vine with white flowers that open at night. It smothers native plants and reduces food and habitat for native animals.

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How does this weed affect you?

Moonflower is a fast-growing vine that:

• climbs over shrubs and trees limiting their growth
• spreads over the ground and forms dense mats that prevent the growth of other plants
• can reduce food and shelter for native animals.

Invasion and establishment of exotic vines and scramblers has been identified as a key threatening process for many vulnerable and endangered species in NSW. Moonflower is one of the main species listed as a threat.

What does it look like?

Moonflower is an annual or perennial plant with twining stems.

Leaves are:

• 7–11 cm long and 5–10 cm wide 
• heart-shaped or with 3 shallow lobes
• on stalks (petioles) 7–11 cm long
• sometimes slightly fleshy
• alternate on the stem.

Flowers are:

• white with 5 cream to greenish-yellow bands
• trumpet-shaped with 5 lobes, the tube is 8–14 cm long and the flower is 7–11 cm in diameter
• open at night, and usually wither by the next morning
• present mainly in summer and autumn.

Seedpods are:

• green when young, dark brown or blackish when mature
• 18–23 mm wide
• oval with a pointed tip
• split into 4 valves each containing 1 seed.

Seeds are:

• white, brown or black
• up to10 mm long.

Stems are:

• hairless with milky sap
• smooth or sometimes with soft prickles and/or lots of small projections

Similar looking plants

Moonflower can look like other weeds in the Ipomoea genus including:

• Common morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea), which has funnel shaped flowers, smaller than moonflower and often purple (but can be white).
• Purple morning glory (Ipomoea indica), which has pink or purplish funnel-shaped flowers.
• Coastal morning glory (Ipomoea cairica), which has deeply divided leaves with 5-7 lobes.

Where is it found?

In NSW, moonflower is found in the North Coast region and a few sites in the Hunter region. It was introduced as an ornamental garden plant and is still grown in some gardens. It is a garden escapee and in NSW most plants are found near urban areas.

It is native to tropical parts of America.

What type of environment does it grow in?

Moonflower grows in tropical and subtropical climates. It prefers moist soils and can grow:

• along the edges of rainforests
• in gaps of wet sclerophyll forests and rainforests
• along waterways
• in disturbed areas such as roadsides and trails.

Maps and records

• Recorded presence of Moonflower 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

Moonflower seeds can remain viable for at least 18 months. The seeds are spread:

• by water and wind
• as contaminant in seed crops and soil
• by machinery
• by people dumping garden waste.

By plant parts

Plants can grow from stem fragments which can be spread by:

• moving water
• people dumping garden waste.

References

Harden, G. J., McDonald, W. J. F., & Williams, J. B. (2007). Rainforest climbing plants. Gwen Harden Publishing.

Identic Pty Ltd. and Lucid central (2016). Environmental Weeds of Australia Fact sheet: Ipomoea alba. Retrieved 10 October 2023 from: https://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/media/Html/ipomoea_alba.htm

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

Muyt, A. (2001). Bush invaders of South-East Australia: a guide to the identification and control of environmental weeds found in South-East Australia. RG and FJ Richardson.

Office of Environment and Heritage. (2017). Invasion and establishment of exotic vines and scramblers – profile. Retrieved 10 October 202 from: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspeciesapp/profile.aspx?id=20052

PlantNET (The NSW Plant Information Network System). Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney. Retrieved 10 October 2023 from: https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Ipomoea~alba

More information

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Control

Successful weed control relies on follow up after the initial efforts. This means looking for and killing regrowth or new seedlings. Using a combination of control methods is usually more successful.

Physical removal

By hand

Seedlings and small plants can be hand pulled or removed by a hoe. For larger vines cut the stems at ground level and then dig out as much of the roots as possible. Dispose of plants because the stems can regrow if they are in contact with the ground.

Mulching

Heavy mulching can discourage regrowth.

Chemical control

Spot spraying

Spray actively growing plants and ensure that all of the foliage is covered with the herbicide mix. For plants growing over trees or shrubs

• cut stems about waist height
• move intact stems away from native plants
• spray all of the foliage that is still connected to the soil.

This will limit off-target damage to the plants that morning glory is growing on. Regrowth can be spot sprayed with herbicides.

Basal barking

Apply herbicide mixed with diesel to cover the lower stem, all the way around.

Splatter gun

Splatter-guns use small amounts of concentrated herbicide. They spray large droplets that limit spray drift. They are useful for very dense infestations of weeds that are difficult to reach.

Cut scrape and paint

Cut stems at least 40 cm from the ground. Lightly scrape at least 20 - 30 cm of the stem that is still attached to the roots. Do not scrape all the way round the stem. Apply herbicide the cut and the scraped parts of the stem within 15 seconds of cutting. The upper parts can be left to die.

Weed wipers

Wipers or wands apply herbicide directly onto leaves. This can better target the weed and minimise damage to other species.

Disposal

Contact your local council for advice on how to dispose of this plant.

Herbicide options

See Using herbicides for more information.

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PERMIT 11916 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 1 part product to 50 parts water plus surfactant
Comments: Spot spray: Urban bushland, forests and coastal reserves.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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PERMIT 11916 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L (Various products)
Rate: Undiluted
Comments: Scrape stem/cut stump: Urban bushland, forests and coastal reserves.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Fluroxypyr 333 g/L (Starane™ Advanced)
Rate: 300 to 600 mL per 100 L water
Comments: Spot spray
Withholding period: Do not graze failed crops and treated pastures or cut for stock food for 7 days after application. See label for more information.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Fluroxypyr 333 g/L (Starane™ Advanced)
Rate: 21 mL per L diesel/kerosene
Comments: Basal bark
Withholding period: Do not graze failed crops and treated pastures or cut for stock food for 7 days after application. See label for more information.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L (Various products)
Rate: One part product to 50 parts water
Comments: Spot spray
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L (Various products)
Rate: One part product to 1.5 parts water
Comments: Cut, scrape and paint
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L (Various products)
Rate: One part product to 9 parts water
Comments: Splatter gun
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L (Various products)
Rate: One part product to 20 parts water
Comments: Wipe onto leaves
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Metsulfuron-methyl 600 g/kg (Various products)
Rate: 10 - 20 g per 100 L water plus surfactant
Comments: Spot spray
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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PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Metsulfuron-methyl 600 g/kg (Various products)
Rate: 10 g per 1 L of water plus surfactant
Comments: Wipe onto leaves
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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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.
North Coast Exclusion (eradication) zone: Bellingen Shire LGA, Lord Howe Island, Nambucca Valley LGA, Port Macquarie-Hastings LGA. Core infestation (containment) zone: Ballina Shire LGA, Byron Shire LGA, Clarence Valley LGA, Coffs Harbour City LGA, Kempsey Shire LGA, Kyogle Shire LGA, Lismore City LGA, Richmond Valley LGA, Tweed Shire LGA.	Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Containment) Whole of region: Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. A person should not buy, sell, move, carry or release the plant into the environment. Exclusion zone: Notify local control authority if found. Land managers should eradicate the plant from the land and keep the land free of the plant. Core infestation: Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant from their land. Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant on assets of high economic, environmental and/or social value.
	*To see the Regional Strategic Weeds Management Plans containing demonstrated outcomes that fulfil the general biosecurity duty for this weed click here

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Reviewed 2024