Common Australian Garden Weeds

Araujia hortorum

Scientific name: Araujia hortorum Fourn.


Habit of white moth plant (Araujia hortorum) with an older, robust, grey stem in the background and a younger, green stem in the foreground.


Oppositely arranged leaves of white moth vine with an elongated, triangular shape.

Synonyms: Araujia albens G. Don; Araujia sericofera auct. non Brot.

Common names: White moth plant, Cruel plant, Moth vine

Family: Asclepiadaceae

Origin:

Native of Peru.

Habit:

Robust, perennial climber with twining stems.

Habitat:

Weed of suburban bushland and some forestry plantations, also found in disturbed sites and along creek banks.

General description:

Stems and leaves

Stems are robust and grow in a twining fashion. They are finely hairy and contain a toxic milky sap. The leaves are oppositely arranged and have stalks (petioles) 6-30 mm long. Leaf blades are more or less triangular in shape (3-10 x 1-6 cm in size). They are dark green and sparsely hairy on the upper surface and bluish-green or whitish and densely hairy beneath. 'Finger glands' may be seen where the base of the leaf blade meets the leaf stalk (upper surface).

Flowers and fruit

The tubular flowers are radially symmetrical (actinomorphic), with a five-lobed calyx (sepals) and corolla (petals). They are 0.8-1.4 cm long, white or pale pink, and borne in clusters of a few to several flowers. At the centre of the flower is a crown-like structure (corona) with five incurved arms. Flowering time is from summer to autumn. The fruits are large 'follicles' that are egg-shaped (ovoid) or with a truncated base (up to 10 x 6.5 cm in size). The surface of the fruit is striated and can have a pale blue-green (glaucous) appearance. When mature, the fruit splits lengthwise to release flat seeds with long silky hairs.

Distinguishing characteristics:

A robust perennial climber with twining, finely hairy, stems containing a milky sap. The leaves are opposite and triangular, while the tubular flowers have five petals that are white or pale pink with a crown-like structure at the centre. Seeds have a silky tuft of hairs.

Noxious status:

A declared species in New South Wales.

Sources:

Anonymous. (2000). Noxious Weed List for Australian States and Territories. National Weeds Strategy Executive Committee, Launceston.

Stanley, T.E. and Ross, E.M. (1983-1989). Flora of South-eastern Queensland. Volume 2. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.