Cruel plant, Moth plant, Moth vine
Araujia sericifera

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

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.

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

Where it is found

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.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Australia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Europe, New Zealand, Paraguay, Peru, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Uruguay

How it is used for food

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

The fruit are enjoyed by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, root, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

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

Synonyms

Araujia albens G. Don.; Araujia hortorum; Araujia sericofera; Physianthus albens Mart.;