Coccinia grandis

Ivy Gourd

(Ivy Gourd, Coccinea grandis, Cucurbitaceae)

Kaupe kan:

• E kin kemehla soangesoangen dihpw teikan pwehki eh inenen par mehlel.
• E kak osada nan wasa tohto, lel pahn ketipin oh pahn mwete.
• E kak dipwihala wasakan me tuhke kin kak osadaie oh pil kemehla soangen kisin tuhke kesemwpwal teikan.

Sawas me anahn:

• Dehr mwatih oh kesehla nan peihnkid akan.
• Mwetpwelih oh weihrada kanenge kan.
• Usada oh sarepedi nan pwohr me lol.
• Dehr kesehla nansed de nanpilap akan.

MA MIE PEIDEK DE SAWEHWE AH KOMW KALELEHKI WASA KAN ME SANSAL PAH:

Office of Agriculture and Forestry --- 320-2400/320-7457
The Nature Conservancy --- 320-4267

Hawaiian Materials on Ivy Gourd

What is Ivy Gourd:

(Coccinia grandis)

Ivy Gourd is a vine that is capable of smothering forests and desirable plants. Growing aggressively and vigorously, this vine forms a dense canopy smothering vegetation, grounds, fences, utility lines and forests in low elevation areas. This thick covering chokes out the sunlight to anything below.

Ivy Gourd is widespread on Oahu, and parts of Kona on the Big Island. In May, 1997, a small infestation was found in Anahola Valley, on Kauai. Although its to late to stop the vine from taking over on Oahu and in Kona, there is hope to control the spread of this pesky vine on Kauai.

Identifying Ivy Gourd

Ivy Gourd can be distinguished by its five-point, palm-shaped leaves.

White, star-shaped flowers distinguish this weed from other vines. These white flowers give way to small, green, pickle-sized fruits which eventually turn scarlet in color.

Each of these fruit contains numerous seeds which contribute to the rapid spread of this weed to new locations. Ivy Gourd is primarily spread by rats and birds that eat the fruit and seed. Humans, who plant it for food or ornamental purposes also contribute to the movement of this weed to new locations and islands.

Working together -- residents, private sector and government -- we can take our best shot at controlling the spread of this weed.

What to do if you sight Ivy Gourd on Pohnpei

1. Dig out the root of the vine, if possible;
2. Otherwise, cut the vine near the root of the plant;
3. Treat cut stump immediately with a herbicide, such as Roundup;
4. Destroy all parts of the vine to prevent regrowth; (Be especially careful when handling fruit of plant, try not to break open fruit which contains numerous seeds).

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