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Bladderflower

Araujia sericifera (ar-RAW-jee-uh ser-eh-SIFF-er-uh)

Family: Apocynaceae Unknown Vine (vertical)

Native to South America, Bladderflower can be found growing in grasslands, along creek banks, forest margins, roadsides, waste areas, and woodlands. It will climb on any vegetation that will support its weight. The dense growth habit will smother the supporting vegetation. It is no longer cultivated for use as a garden ornamental. In some worldwide locations, it has been banned from sale. It is a common weed in citrus groves, and if not managed, can destroy crops and trees. Seeds from this wildflower are spread primarily by the wind. To promote an abundance of flowers, plant in full sun in a loam based soil. It will grow in any fertile soil. During the winter months, keep this plant in a bright, cool location. It will germinate from seeds in 3 to 6 weeks. It prefers moderate, moist soil. This plant is grown as a tender annual or as a container plant in most zones. Fibers from the stems are used in the manufacturing of textiles. Pruning can be done after flowering has ended. Emitting an odor considered foul to humans, the scent is attractive to night flying moths. Seeking the nectar, the moths are drawn to the flowers, where they are trapped by their tongues until the next morning. Some survive the ordeal, others don't. The common names, Moth Vine, Moth Plant, and Common Moth Vine originates from this sticky pollen. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Glasshouse red spider mite can be an issue.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 69 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 6 - Vine (vertical) Optimal soil pH Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Fills a similar niche Clematis x hybrida Lonicera periclymenum Wisteria sinensis

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Annual; Perennial; Vine
Life cycle
Annual; Perennial
USDA zones
8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
6 - Vine (vertical)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Climbing; Creeping; Dense; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green; White
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Deltoid; Oblong; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Leathery
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The upper surface of the leaves is dark green and typically hairless. The undersides are a lighter green to white and covered with dense hairs.
Flower color
Cream/Tan; Pink; White
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Umbel
Flower shape
Bell
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
This plant has fragrant, white or pale pink, waxy flowers from summer to fall. They may have pink streaks in the throat area. They form as clusters in the upper leaf forks.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit color
Blue; Gray/Silver; Green
Fruit type
Follicle
Fruit size
> 3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Fruit detail
This plant also has large, blue-green or gray-green grooved pods that attract moths. They can reach lengths of up to 5". The fruits will split open and release 1/4" seeds covered with long silky hairs.
Stem color
Gray/Silver; Green
Stem detail
The gray-green stems are climbing and twining vines. The vines have fine hairs and contains a sticky, milky sap.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Paraguay and Uruguay
Wildlife value
This plant attracts bees, moths and butterflies.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Moths; Pollinators
Play value
Attractive Flowers; Attracts Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Follicle

Uses (ethnobotany)

Ornamental

Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Houseplants; Pond; Slope/Bank
Landscape theme
Butterfly Garden; Pollinator Garden
Design feature
Accent; Specimen
Garden tags
#evergreen #moist soil #twining #dappled shade #pink flowers #white flowers #moth caterpillar host #fragrant flowers #fast growing #partial shade tolerant #frost tender #weedy vine #poisonous to livestock #disease resistant #tropical #problem for dogs #vine #moth friendly #long lived #weedy
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Contact Dermatitis; Invasive Species; Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Dogs; Weedy
Resistant to
Diseases
Propagation
Seed
Poison severity
Medium
Poison parts
Leaves; Sap/Juice; Seeds
Poison symptoms
Skin irritation from the sap, difficulty breathing
Toxic principle
Grayanotoxin
Contact dermatitis
Yes
Toxicity summary
Medium severity poison; parts: Leaves; Sap/Juice; Seeds; contact dermatitis

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.