Biosecurity Spotters logo

Hiptage (Hiptage benghalensis)

Hiptage is an introduced perennial vine that can climb into the canopy and form dense vine towers. In Far North Queensland it threatens creek and river vegetation, rainforest and the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.

Key facts

Type: Weed, vine and creeper.

Native to: Tropical South and Southeast Asia.

Established in: QLD.

Other names: Hiptage vine, Helicopter flower.

Best time to act: Look for flowering plants outside the wet season, and treat plants as soon as they are found, with follow-up surveys.

Identification

  • A perennial climbing vine that can reach the canopy, often growing more than 15 metres tall.
  • Its flowers are scented and cream-coloured, and generally form outside the wet season.
  • Its seeds are held in a helicopter-like fruit with three papery wings, each 2–5 centimetres long.
  • The winged fruits can be carried by wind.
  • Look-alike: Other woody rainforest climbers may look similar; check for the scented pale flowers and distinctive three-winged fruits.

Where it grows

In Australia it is known from the Mossman River catchment in Far North Queensland, where it invades rainforest, seasonally dry lowland closed forest and vegetation along creeks and rivers.

Why it matters

  • Hiptage forms dense vine towers that smother native vegetation along creek and river banks.
  • It invades rainforest and seasonally dry, lowland closed forests.
  • It poses a significant threat to Mossman Gorge and the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.

How it spreads

  • The three-winged fruits carry seeds that float on the wind.
  • Plant material or seeds can be moved from infested sites on machinery, vehicles or materials leaving a property.

Control options

  • Treat known infestations as an eradication priority, and survey nearby vegetation for additional plants.
  • Use approved physical or herbicide treatment methods suited to the plant and site; use herbicides only as registered or permitted and follow the label.
  • Revisit treated sites to check for regrowth and new plants.
  • Report suspect plants to Douglas Shire Council on 07 4099 9444; in Douglas Shire, hiptage is locally declared and distributing or propagating it is an offence under local law.

Hygiene and washdown

  • Avoid taking vehicles and machinery through known infestation areas where possible, or wash them down before leaving the site.
  • Keep materials and products leaving the property free of hiptage seeds and plant material, and clean boots and gear after working in an infestation.
  • 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