Araujia sericifera

Araujia sericifera is a perennial vining plant in the genus Araujia, of the family Apocynaceae, that is native to South America. The species was described in 1817 by the Portuguese botanist Félix de Avelar Brotero. The synonym Araujia hortorum is in more frequent use in New Zealand. Its common names include bladderflower, white bladderflower, bladder vine, cruel vine, cruel plant, moth plant, moth vine, common moth vine, and false choko. It was introduced to Europe and other areas as an ornamental plant, but it is now considered a noxious weed. In some countries, such as France, the attractive and abundant fragrant flowering make it a specimen considered worth cultivating. However its strong robustness combined with high seed production can make it invasive in most environments, but not in France due to its sensitivity to frost.

Description

A climbing plant. The stems are twining. The leaves are opposite and grey-green. They are sword shaped with a wavy edge. They are 5-12 cm long by 5-6 cm wide. They are green above and grey-green and hairy underneath. The flowers are bell shaped. They are white or pale pink and 30 mm long. They are in clusters. The fruit are pear shaped. The stalk is at the larger end. The fruit are 6-15 cm long by 3.5-8 cm wide. There are many seeds. The seeds are egg shaped and dark coloured. They have silky hairs attached.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Edible Uses: Fruit - after preparation. No further details are given but the fruit is a long grooved pod 12.5 x 7.5cm, tapering to a fascicle of hairs 2.5cm long.

Traditional Uses

CAUTION The sap is toxic and irritates the skin. The raw peeled root is eaten. The fruit are eaten after roasting.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

Moth plant is toxic for some people. Skin contact with its sap can cause rashes. Contact with the eyes, in particular, can cause severe discomfort.

Distribution

It is a subtropical plant. It suits low rainfall areas. It needs a well drained soil. They cannot tolerate frost. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,300 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 9-10.

Where It Grows

Argentina, Australia, Brazil*, Europe, New Zealand, Paraguay, Peru, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Uruguay,

Cultivation

Prefers a good loamy soil but succeeds in any fertile soil. Requires a sunny position. Plants are not very hardy outdoors in Britain, they succeed outdoors only in the mildest areas of the country. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun. Plants produce fruit when growing on a wall at Glendurgan gardens in Cornwall. A very vigorous twining plant when growing in a suitable position. The flowers have a very strong scent that can be offensive if approached too closely. This scent attracts night-flying moths who are seeking nectar, but the flowers are designed in such a way as to trap the moths by their tongues until morning when those who have survived the ordeal can escape.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. The seed can be sown at any time of the year if the greenhouse is heated. Germinates in 3 - 6 weeks at 20°c according to one report whilst another says that it takes 1 - 6 months at 25°c. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, late autumn in a frame.

Other Uses

Fibre A strong fibre obtained from stems is used in making textiles. As an ornamental. The plant can be used as an alternative food source for caterpillars of the Monarch butterfly. Special Uses Scented Plants

Other Information

The fruit are enjoyed by children.

Notes

There are 2 or 3 Araujia species. They are climbers in temperate and subtropical South America. This one can become invasive.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Abaty, Angelica-de-rama, Chuchu-do-mato, Itsawa

References (14)

• Bircher, A. G. & Bircher, W. H., 2000, Encyclopedia of Fruit Trees and Edible Flowering Plants in Egypt and the Subtropics. AUC Press. p 37
• Brack, P., et al, 2020, Frutas nativas do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil: riqueza e potencial alimentício. Native fruits of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil: richness and potential as food. Rodriguésia 71: e03102018.
• Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 172
• Flora of Australia, Volume 28, Gentiales, Melbourne:CSIRO Australia, 1996. p 211, Map 242, Fig 66 p 148
• Fox, F. W. & Young, M. E. N., 1982, Food from the Veld. Delta Books. p 103

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