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Ivy Gourd


Ivy Gourd

Coccinia grandis (Cucurbitaceae)

Ivy Gourd (Coccinia grandis) poses a major threat to many of Hawaii's natural and developed areas and has been designated a noxious weed on the Hawaii state noxious weed list PDF icon. The Division of Forestry and Wildlife of the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources has designated Ivy Gourd as one of Hawaii's Most Invasive Horticultural Plants.

Ivy gourd is native to tropical Africa and Asia. It is a fast-growing vine with ivy-shaped leaves, white flowers, and 1-3 inch long red fruits. The vines grow over and smother vegetation and cover fences and power lines. Ivy gourd can grow up to 4 inches a day!

Despite the fact that these plants require cross-pollination between male and female plants, it has spread amazingly fast on Oahu and in Kona on the Island of Hawaii. On Maui, localized infestations occur in Kapalua, Kihei, and Lahaina. Isolated plants have been seen in Kahului, Makawao, and Waiehu. After cutting back vines, the plant regrows from deep roots, making ivy gourd difficult to control. Ivy gourd is on the Hawaii state noxious weed list.

ivy gourd (Coccinia grandis) image
ivy gourd
(Coccinia grandis)


More information on ivy gourd:
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This page was created on 24 March 2004 by EMS, and was last updated on 06 Febuary 2007 by LF. The source material for the content of this page was provided to HEAR by MISC. Valid HTML 4.01!