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Moth Vine Wikimedia Commons
Apocynaceae

Moth Vine

Araujia sericifera

Entrapment and allure.

Family
Apocynaceae
Genus
Araujia
Native to
South America, Brazil, Peru
Bloom season
Summer, Fall
Type
vine
Height
15-30 ft
Sunlight
full sun to partial shade
Soil
well-drained, fertile
Water
moderate
Hardiness
9-11
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • Moth vine earned its name because night-flying moths become temporarily trapped by their tongues inside the waxy flowers.
  • The large, pear-shaped seed pods are called 'chokos' in some regions and can grow up to 5 inches long.
  • When the seed pods burst open, they release hundreds of silky-haired seeds that float on the wind like tiny parachutes.
  • The plant produces a milky latex sap that was traditionally used as a natural adhesive.
  • It is considered a serious invasive weed in Australia, New Zealand, and parts of southern Europe.

Color meanings

0

captivation

1

persistence

2

hidden trap

Uses

  • ornamental vine
  • trellis cover
  • traditional adhesive