Growing
- Forest layer: Vine.
- Growth habit & lifespan: Vigorous perennial climber, capable of smothering whatever it climbs over.
- Size: Can climb 5m or more given a structure or tree to scramble over.
- Site preference: Full sun to part shade, adaptable to a range of soils.
- Water needs / drought tolerance: Moderate.
- Fruiting / flowering season: Pale pink-white trumpet-shaped flowers, followed by a large, pear-shaped seed pod packed with silky-haired seed, similar in structure to a milkweed pod.
- Propagation: Seed, wind-dispersed via the silky coma, prolific once a pod splits.
- Harvesting technique: Not applicable, removal target.
Permaculture Function
- Permaculture functions: None of value.
- Wildlife value: Minimal; can trap small insects, including butterflies, on the sticky flower parts.
- Edibility / medicinal use: Not edible.
- Companion notes: Not applicable, removal target.
Safety & Control
- Toxicity: Milky sap irritates skin and eyes on contact. Wear gloves and eye protection when removing.
- Control method: Never herbicide as the plan. Hand-pull young plants including the roots. For established vines, cut at the base and remove from whatever it's climbing. Bag and remove seed pods before they split open, since a single pod releases large numbers of wind-borne seed.