May 2006. Samoa asked if the plant in the photo was Coccinia grandis: white flower, 6-8cm; fruit turns red when ripe. It was thought to be that species, and that more information can be obtained at the HEAR website: www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/images/thumbnails/html/coccinia_grandis.htm

A Google search produces many results, e.g., http://tinyurl.com/mn9np, and links to more online information in general (from HEAR) can be found at:

http://www.hear.org/species/coccinia_grandis
http://www.hear.org/Pier/species/coccinia_grandis.htm
http://tinyurl.com/n9ek4

Other than HEAR, the Global Invasive Species Database, can be searched for information, and there are other links from the references page: http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp.

Other countries, too, have experienced problems from this weed. Fiji, said it was a pest now and expected it to be worse in years. It was reported that Northern Marianas and Guam are conducting a biological control program on Coccinia. India reported that there are edible forms (it is eaten in Fiji), and Coccinia sp. attracts parakeets.

It was reported from Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, that Garlon 4 is used in an eradication program. If only sprayed on the foliage, it may need to be used two or three times. Another way is to inject 100% Garlon (1 ml) into the tuber. A third option is to cut the plant and apply Garlon onto the cut stems.

Members were also reminded that C grandis is a very good host of Bactrocera cucurbitae, melon fly.