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Identification: Cape ivy is an aggressive, smothering vine that can grow up to 6 meters long. It has been widely used across the world as an ornamental and is known to easily escape from cultivation. Its leaves are "ivy-shaped," broad, up to 4" wide and 2.4" long. Many leaves have small "ears" at their base. It produces flowers that are tube-shaped, yellow, and clustered along the stems or at the tips of the stems. Its seeds are small and dandelion like. All parts of the plant have a characteristic odor.
Impacts:This rapid-growing vine climbs shrubs and trees to form impenetrable mats that shade the plants beneath it, smothering native vegetation and preventing regeneration. Cape ivy has the potential to occupy a variety of ecological zones in Hawai'i and could threaten areas of native shrubland and dry and mesic forests. Its shallow root system can lead to erosion and it
contains alkaloids that are toxic to humans, mammals, and aquatic organisms. Once established, this vine is very
hard to eliminate, requiring numerous treatments over many years.
Dispersal Mechanism: Cape ivy spreads vegetatively by runners or stem fragments that are capable of resprouting after they have been broken off and by its tiny, wind-dispersed seeds. Very small pieces of the stem can grow into a new infestation. Plants are moved long distances in contaminated garden waste and soil.
Cultivation:: The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources considers cape ivy one of Hawaii's most
invasive horticultural plants. It has been classified as "High Risk" by the Hawaii-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment
and should not be cultivated.
More information about this pest 
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English Ivy (Hedera helix):
English ivy is a nonative vine that has a similar leaf shape as cape ivy. It does not have the ear like
appendage at the base of the leaf stalk.
THIS LOOK-ALIKE IS ALSO A PEST!
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