Cryptostegia grandiflora (vine, climber)

Ecology Distribution Management Info Impact Info References and Links Contacts

General Impact C. grandiflora is poisonous to stock when consumed and its rampant growth may restrict stock access to water points, (WA, Department of Agriculture). It damages the environment by smothering and pulling down riverside vegetation, (WA, Department of Agriculture). C. grandiflora forms impenetrable thickets and smothers vegetation; reduces productivity and pasture production; if eaten it can lead to cattle deaths; leads to decreased water catchment due to increased transpiration; results in a loss of trees and native vines, which in turn leads to a loss of biodiversity and habitat, (CSIRO Australia, 2001). In the open, Cryptostegia grandiflora forms impenetrable thickets, (PIER, 2003).          Location Specific Impacts: Queensland (Australia)   Economic/Livelihoods: Estimated cost in terms of lost beef production in north Queensland due to loss of pasture in excess of $18 million per year. Increased difficulty and expense of mustering stock. Increased fencing costs to keep cattle out of dense rubber vine areas. Impedes access of stock to water. Decreased property values. Potential to seriously threaten the World Heritage areas of northern Queensland and the Northern Territory. The Undarra Volcanic National Park was affected when rubber vine covered the entrance of the volcanic lava tubes, thus decreasing the appeal of this attraction. Ecosystem change: The environmental costs of rubber vine infestations are immense, with the potential to destroy many unique ecosystems such as gallery forest and dry rainforest. Rubber vine impacts on: four vulnerable animal species, thirteen threatened plant communities, one Ramsar site, thirteen important wetlands and a total of forty eight reserve areas in Queensland. Rubber vine spread has the potential to destroy all deciduous vine thickets in north Queensland, leading to the loss of unique ecosystems. The Big Mitchell Creek gallery forest infestation led to the disappearance of the rufous owl Ninox rufa, and bower’s shrike thrush Colluricincla boeri. Habitat alteration: Rubber vine is an extremely aggressive invader of woodlands. It is a vigorous climber which will smother and kill plants and shade out the ground layer. There is an increase in soil erosion due to loss of grasses and other ground cover species. Other: Due to the choking of river and stream edges, rubber vine infestations can cause changes to waterflow and water courses Physical disturbance: The heaviest infestations of rubber vine occur along rivers and creeks, completely choking the river edge. In some areas it forms impenetrable barriers up to 400m wide on each side of riverbanks. The species will then aggressively and invade open woodlands and pastures.