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Common dolichos pea (Dipogon lignosus)

Common dolichos pea is a vigorous garden escape that has naturalised in coastal parts of New South Wales. Dense growth can smother native plants and climb over trees and shrubs.

Key facts

Type: Weed, vine and creeper.

Native to: Southern Africa.

Established in: QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS, SA, WA.

Other names: Dolichos pea.

Best time to act: Treat actively growing plants before they produce mature pods, and revisit sites to check for regrowth.

Identification

  • A perennial, twining herb with stems up to 3 m long.
  • Leaves are made up of three oval to diamond-shaped leaflets, 3–6 cm long and up to 4 cm wide, paler underneath.
  • Pea-shaped flowers are usually pink-purple and up to 1.5 cm long, but are sometimes white.
  • Pods are up to 5 cm long and 1 cm wide, with 3–6 seeds.
  • Look-alike: It can resemble other twining pea-family plants; check for the combination of three leaflets, pea-shaped flowers and seed pods.

Where it grows

In New South Wales it has naturalised along the coast in the Hunter, Greater Sydney and South East regions, including areas with native vegetation.

Why it matters

  • Dense infestations smother and outcompete native plants, especially ground covers.
  • Vines climb over trees and shrubs and can cause branches to collapse.
  • The plant can change nutrient levels in soils in areas with native vegetation.

How it spreads

  • The pods contain seeds that can produce new plants.
  • Its garden-escape habit allows it to establish beyond cultivation, including in coastal areas.

Control options

  • Hand-pull or dig out seedlings and small plants, removing as much of the root system as possible.
  • For larger climbing plants, cut the stems and leave the upper growth in the canopy to dry, then dig out the roots.
  • Where appropriate, use a herbicide registered for the plant and site, following the label and any permit conditions; spot spraying, wiping leaves or a splatter gun are described control methods.
  • Check treated sites for regrowth and contact the local council weeds officer for identification or control advice.

Hygiene and washdown

  • Avoid carrying seed-bearing pods or plant material from infested sites, and clean soil and plant debris from boots, tools and machinery before leaving.
  • 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: Not prohibited or restricted. Not listed as prohibited or restricted matter in Queensland. 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: Declared plant. Depending on the declaration, it can be an offence to move it on public roads or sell it, and landowners may be required to control it on their land.
  • Western Australia: Permitted, not declared. Listed as a permitted organism in WA, so it can be brought in, but it is not a declared pest.
  • 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)
  • New South Wales: Biosecurity Act 2015 (NSW), administered by NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
  • Australian Capital Territory: Biosecurity Act 2023 (ACT), administered by ACT Biosecurity
  • Victoria: Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (Vic), administered by Agriculture Victoria
  • Tasmania: Biosecurity Act 2019 (Tas), administered by Biosecurity Tasmania
  • South Australia: Landscape South Australia Act 2019 (SA), administered by the regional landscape board
  • Western Australia: Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (WA), administered by the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

Sources