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Cape Ivy

Delairea odorata,

Invasive introduction

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Cape Ivy is a sprawling vine native to South Africa in the Asteraceae family, related to sunflowers and daisies (not to English Ivy). It is invasive in California, Hawai‘i, Oregon, New Zealand and Australia. While its yellow flowers and bright green foliage may seem attractive, this plant grows quickly and can easily smother native trees to death. To control this pesky plant, often systemic chemical herbicides are the only effective tool. Pulling out by hand can be ineffective because if any piece of root is left behind, the plant will regrow.