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White moth vine

Photograph of a cluster of the small white star-shaped flowers and yellow centre of the white moth vine
White moth vine flower
Photograph of one of the choko-like fruit of the white moth vine
White moth vine fruit


General information

A native of Brazil, this plant is listed as a weed in several countries. White moth vine (Araujia sericifera) is a vigorous, woody creeper with a shallow root system.

White moth vine is not a declared plant under Queensland legislation, however its control is recommended.

Scientific name Araujia sericifera
Impacts
  • smothers native plants with a thick, tangled growth
  • exudes a smelly, milky latex which may cause allergic reactions in some people
Description
  • a perennial vine which can climb up to 7 m
  • leaves grow in opposite pairs up to 10 cm long
  • leaves have a white underside and are triangular
  • flowers vary from white, pink and violet
  • when fruits dry, they split open releasing wind-borne seeds on silky hairs
Habitat and distribution
  • occurs in South East Queensland
  • found in rainforest remnants, vine scrubs and wet sclerophyll forests
  • often seen draped over fence lines
  • seeds dispersed by wind and birds
Control
  • wear gloves when manually removing this plant due to the irritating latex
  • hand pull seedlings
  • cut the roots at least 10 cm below the ground
  • herbicides effective
  • see white moth vine fact sheet for further information about control methods, including registered herbicide application rates
Declaration details
  • not a declared plant under Queensland legislation but may be declared under local government law
Further information

Page maintained by Sonia Jordan
Last updated 26 May 2009
URL: http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/cps/rde/xchg/dpi/hs.xsl/cps/rde/dpi/hs.xsl/4790_7390_ENA_HTML.htm

© The State of Queensland, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries 1995 - 2009.
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