Araujia sericifera

Species

Moth plant (Araujia sericifera) is a long-lived, evergreen climbing vine that is native to southern Brazil and Argentina. It was introduced to New Zealand as a garden ornamental and was first recorded in the wild (naturalised) in 1888. The plant has twining stems containing a white, milky sap, opposite dark green leaves, and white bell-shaped flowers that are sometimes streaked with pale pink. It flowers from December to May, which develop into large, pear-shaped seed pods. The pods split open when mature to release many black seeds attached to silky hairs. It reproduces by seed. Seeds are dispersed by wind and remain viable for at least five years. The white latex in all parts of the plant is poisonous.

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