Years ago this little evergreen with its colourful leaves and tiny white summer flowers became a popular groundcover because it grew well throughout most of South Africa, remaining low and spreading willingly through the garden. Its unusual ivy-shaped leaves were the main attraction, sporting multi-coloured hues of yellow, red, pink, green or orange, hence it other common name “harlequin plant”.

However, it was noted early on that this plant could become invasive, and certainly was very invasive in damp areas that are semi-shaded, where the plant flourished and spread at a rapid rate. So rapidly that it is now a Category 3 invasive in South Africa, meaning it may no longer be sold or propagated, and its invasion on a property must be controlled by a Competent Authority. You can’t simply dig it up, bag it, and allow the municipality to take it to the dump, because this will only spread the plant even further abroad. So if you have a large property which is overtaken find out who is in charge of overseeing the disposal.

I assume that for smaller gardens it would be fairly easy to eliminate by continually digging up any growth and allowing it to dry out totally before burning it or burying it deeply. If you have this plant try to eradicate it completely, as if you wish to sell one day, you are legally obliged to notify the purchaser of the presence of any Category 3 invader species on the land.