Ecology Distribution Management Info Impact Info References and Links Contacts

General Impact Cape ivy is an oppurtunistic and aggressively growing perennial vine that can form dense vegetative groundcover mats that can prevent seedling establishment of native forbs and grasses (Alvarez, 1997). The climbing nature of the plant allows it to access light resources higher in the canopy and can prevent forest stand regeneration by smothering trees (Bossard, undated). The weight of large masses of Cape ivy have been known to bring down trees (Bossard, undated). D. odorata also competes for other resources like soil nutrients and water (Alvarez & Cushman, 2002). The reduction in diversity also effects higher trophic level organisms like several sensitive species of insects and predator complexes that rely on these invertabrates for food (Starr et al. 2003). Cape ivy has several negative impacts on riparian communities, including increased soil erosion along watercourses due to its shallow root system not capable of holding loose soils together (Bossard, undated). Toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids and xanthones are found within the plant that are toxic to humans, mammals, and in particularly aquatic organisms. Due to the toxic compounds in this plant it is not considered widely palatable to most species, reducing forage quality (Starr et al. 2003). The dense vegetation can also displace burrowing shorebirds, like little penguins (see Eudyptula minor in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species), by taking up available space used for nesting (Dann, undated). No Impact information recorded for Delairea odorata