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Blue morning glory (Ipomoea nervosa)

This rampant introduced climber can smother other vegetation and is recorded as naturalised in parts of Western Australia. It is also suspected to be toxic to livestock and people.

Key facts

Type: Weed, vine and creeper.

Native to: India, tropical Asia, and tropical Central and South America.

Established in: QLD.

Other names: Oceanblue morning glory, Blue dawn flower.

Best time to act: Look for and treat actively growing vines, with flowers reported from November to December or January to May.

Identification

  • A vigorous, twining and scandent herbaceous vine that can become rampant.
  • It has blue-purple flowers.
  • It may be found growing in gardens or apparently naturalised nearby.
  • Flowers are reported from November to December or January to May.
  • Look-alike: Similar introduced species include Ipomoea cairica.
  • Look-alike: Ipomoea purpurea and Ipomoea hederacea are also listed as similar exotic species.

Where it grows

It is grown in gardens and is recorded as naturalised in parts of Western Australia, including the Esperance Plains, Gascoyne, Geraldton Sandplains, Swan Coastal Plain and Warren regions.

Why it matters

  • Dense growth can smother other vegetation.
  • Slashed stems can resprout, making control difficult.
  • The plant is suspected to be toxic to livestock and humans.

How it spreads

  • It can regenerate from stolons, stem fragments and stems that root.
  • Water, garden refuse, animals and machinery can disperse it.

Control options

  • Hand-remove stems that are in contact with the ground, and carefully remove roots.
  • Where appropriate, sever vines at the base, leave them to dry in the canopy, then dig out the roots.
  • Stem-scrape and paint or cut-stem treatments may be used with a herbicide registered for the situation; follow the product label and safety directions.
  • Monitor the site for at least one year after removal and check with the state or territory biosecurity agency for local advice or reporting requirements.

Hygiene and washdown

  • Clean plant fragments and soil from machinery, tools, boots and other gear before leaving an infested site.
  • Contain and dispose of vine material carefully, and do not spread it in garden refuse.
  • Inspect and clean vehicles, plant and footwear before leaving an infested area, paying attention to tyres, radiators, belly plates, tracks and floor mats.
  • Wash down at a designated bay where runoff is contained and can be monitored for seedlings.
  • Record each washdown so the client has evidence of clean entry and exit.

Classification by state

  • Australia (national): No national listing. Managed under state and territory law.
  • Queensland: Restricted matter, category 3. Do not give it away, sell or release it into the environment. Everyone must also take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise its risks (the general biosecurity obligation).
  • New South Wales: Not a priority weed. Not a state or regional priority weed in NSW. The general biosecurity duty applies: anyone dealing with it must prevent, eliminate or minimise the risk it poses.
  • Victoria: Not declared. Not declared under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. Other Victorian laws may still apply.
  • South Australia: Not declared. Not declared under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019. Other laws may still apply.
  • Western Australia: Not listed. Not found in the Western Australian Organism List. Check with DPIRD before moving or keeping it.
  • Tasmania: Not declared. Not a declared weed in Tasmania. Other laws may still apply.
  • Northern Territory: Check NT list. There is no NT weed profile for it. Check the NT declared weeds list for its current status.
  • Australian Capital Territory: Not declared. Not declared under the Biosecurity Act 2023 (ACT). A general biosecurity duty still applies.

Legal obligations

Every state and territory places a duty on landholders and people working on land to prevent the spread of invasive species, such as the general biosecurity obligation in Queensland and the general biosecurity duty in New South Wales. Declarations and control requirements differ between states and local government areas, so check the current official list before work starts.

  • Queensland: Biosecurity Act 2014 (Qld), administered by Biosecurity Queensland (13 25 23)

Sources