Diplocyclos palmatus
Diplocyclos palmatus (L.) C. Jeffrey
Family: CucurbitaceaeCommon name: lollypop climber, striped cucumberCategory: proposed 1a (NEMBA)
Diplocyclos palmatus leaves
Description
Slender, much-branched climber, perennial, with stems to 6 m long. Leaves simple, alternate, 5 lobed, hairy above, pale and smooth beneath, margins irregularly toothed, with unpleasant odour when crushed. Flowers white to yellowish, unisexual, male flowers in small fascicles and females flowers solitary. It flowers from March to April. Fruit green with white longitudinal stripes, which become brightly red to orange with maturity.
Diplocyclos palmatus fruits
Distribution
Lollypop climbers are native to Australia, Malesia, Papua New Guinea and Tropical Africa. It is largely distributed in warmer rain forests. It has been recorded in India as growing and spreading in the wild.
How it spreadLollypop climber spreads mainly by seeds.
Diplocyclos palmatus leave and fruits
History in South Africa
This species was probably introduced into South Africa as a garden ornamental because of its decorative fruits. It has been recorded in KwaZulu Natal at Kloof Memorial Park and Edgecliff Nature Reserve in Pinetown.
Environmental and economic impact
Lollypop climber invades a variety of habitat types, e.g. forests and floodplains, where it threatens native vegetation.
How to eradicate
There are no herbicides registered for this species in South Africa. It can be controlled physically by hand pulling, preferable before seeding.
What can you do to help?
Report sightings of these plants to the Early Detection and Rapid Responce Programme (EDRR) at SANBI. We will need to know its locality (the exact locality, supply any landmarks of GPS information if possible).
Contact details
Kanyisa NyafuEmail address: alienplants@sanbi.org.za Tel: 021 799 8762
References
- Germplasm Resourcess Information Network. Diplocyclos palmatus (L.) C. Jeffrey. Available on line at: . Accessed 22 June 2011
- Invasive species in South Africa. 2010. Available on line: http://invasives.org.za/flora-listed-invasives/diplocyclos-palmatus.html accessed on 22 June 2011
- New South Whales Flora on line. Diplocyclos palmatus (L.) Jeffrey.
- Bosch, C. H. 2004. Dilpocyclos palmatus (L.) C. Jeffrey. In : Grubben, G.J.H. and Denton, O. A. PRORA 2: Vegetables/Ledumes. PROTA, Wageningen, Nertherlands. Available on line at:http://database.prota.org/PROTAhtml/Diplocyclos%20palmatus_En.htm. Accessed 22 June 2011
See more information about this series and categories of alien invasive plants
Compiled by Thulisile JacaJuly 2011