Invasive Vine Species Used as Camouflage in WWII Takes Over Second Largest Island of Fiji

Invasive vine species that soldiers brought over during World War II for their camouflage tactics are taking over the second-largest island in Fiji.

Every contour on Vanua Levu, the second-largest island in Fiji, is covered in greenery. The surroundings are incredibly lush and green. On closer inspection, however, it becomes clear that almost everything is covered in vines.

Kudzu

There are a variety of vine species in Fiji, including the invasive kudzu that US troops introduced during World War II to serve as living camouflage. However, according to Judith Sumner, a botanist, kudzu quickly evolved into an invasive species in the tropical Pacific, outpacing the local flora of Fiji in terms of growth rate.

While kudzu is undoubtedly common, morning glory vines, particularly merremia peltata, are now causing chaos in Vanua Levu. This vine can spread for miles, consuming everything in its path, once it crosses the tree canopy. It can be found erupting from old cars, swamping buildings, and smothering farms. Locally, it is identified as viliyawa, which interprets as "to collect far."

Viliyawa After the Storm

From the village of Savudrodro, Inosi Ravisa, toils in the sweltering sun on his farm. He claims that the viliyawa problem didn't start to get out of hand until Cyclone Winston in 2016.

Ravisa claimed that viliyawa is spreading like wildfire after the cyclone. Because all the trees fell after the cyclone, it was very simple to build the viliyawa. Viliyawa is a widespread plant that can harm large, healthy trees and break all of their branches.

Merremia peltata has been present in the Pacific for centuries, but the Global Invasive Species Database claims that it didn't become invasive until tropical cyclones, which are more frequent and intense as a result of climate change, The Byte reports.

Ferocious, Invasive, Nuisance... and a Little Useful

Ravisa recalls that these vines took a lot of the reeds and wild yams that were used to make houses. Additionally, he needs to visit his farm more regularly because otherwise the paths will get muddy and make an already difficult task even more difficult.

In the village of Urata, about 10 kilometers from Savudroddro, Virisila Tinaniqica is battling the viliyawa from her cassava plants.

She said that it can kill a large tree and is extremely harmful to the garden. One large guava tree in her garden was dead when she arrived one day, and the viliyawa roots were incredibly thick all around it.

According to Quick Telecast, the Urata villagers have discovered some useful uses for the vines, although they are a major nuisance. Viliyawa works well as a rough string. They primarily use it to secure the dalo bundles.

Merremia peltata has also been discovered to have healing properties. Eka Dauvonu, the village healer, makes juice from the young leaves to treat menstrual cramps.

The Fijian Ministry of Forestry is aware of how serious merramia peltata is, but at the moment, mechanical removal is the only way to try to control the vines. Without careful management, it is feared that many native species will go extinct and lives will be disrupted as future cyclones increase the ferocity of the vines, The Guardian reports.