Dipogon lignosus
NPPA pest plant
Common names
mile-a-minute
Family
Fabaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Lianes & Related Trailing Plants - Dicotyledons
Conservation status
Not applicable
Habitat
Terrestrial. Forest edge, shrublands, track or road sides in open sun
Detailed description
A scrambler climber with three delta shaped leaflets up to 55mm. Typical pea type flowers of purple, red, pink and white shadings to 15 mm. Seed pods, boat shaped to 40 mm. (T. McCluggage)
Similar taxa
Climbing perennial herb with pea-like flowers (National Surveillance Pest Plants)
Flowering
July, August, September, October, November, December, January.
Flower colours
Red/Pink, Violet/Purple
Life cycle
Perennial. seeds (T. McCluggage pers com). Suspected water dispersal and possible spread by birds in nesting material (DoC, 1998). Gravity, water, birds?, humans. (T. McCluggage pers com)
Year naturalised
1871
Origin
S Africa
Reason for introduction
Ornamental
National Pest Plant Accord species
This plant is listed in the 2020 National Pest Plant Accord. The National Pest Plant Accord (NPPA) is an agreement to prevent the sale and/or distribution of specified pest plants where either formal or casual horticultural trade is the most significant way of spreading the plant in New Zealand. For up to date information and an electronic copy of the 2020 Pest Plant Accord manual (including plant information and images) visit the MPI website.