Climbers & creepers

All 11 climbers & creepers
Weed profile

Creeping Groundsel

Senecio angulatus

Also called Climbing Groundsel

Family
Asteraceae
Origin
South Africa
Type
ENVEnvironmental weed
Plant instead Bower Spinach Tetragonia implexicoma
Creeping Groundsel growing Creeping Groundsel, close up
Photos from SGLN’s 2017 weed guide

About Creeping Groundsel

Senecio angulatus is a perennial climber or large spreading shrub. 5-20m. Has yellow florets which carry seed which disperses through wind blown parachutes and birds. Climbing groundsel invades cultivated areas, coastal areas and bushland.

Manual control

Hand weed. Young plants can be hand-pulled or dug. When removing any species of vines, be careful about pulling them down, as this can damage the supporting plant. Generally they are better left to die off and break up in place, unless this would involve leaving a lot of seed in the canopy. Try to control vines before seed has formed to avoid this problem. Small plants or non climbers can be solarised.

From SGLN’s 2017 weed guide.

Herbicides must be applied at the appropriate rate as specified on the label and all safety precautions followed. If chemical control is necessary near drainage lines or streams, use extreme caution as the effects on aquatic life can be devastating even in minute amounts. Always seek expert advice.
Chemical control notes from SGLN’s 2017 weed guide

Cut and paint with Round Up or Vigilant Gel. No registered chemical available to date. Always check the herbicide label before use.

These notes are from 2017, and some information, particularly herbicide information, may be out of date. Please ask local suppliers and do your own research in selecting herbicides if choosing chemical control.

Family, origin, type, plant instead, control methods and the note above are from SGLN’s pocket guide Common weeds of South Gippsland (2026).