Alien Invasives
Moth Catcher (Araujia serifera)
07 October 2016
- Other names
- Motvanger (Afrikaans)
- Invasive status
-
NEMBA Category 1b
CARA 2002 Category 1 - Description
- The Moth Catcher is a vigorous climber with sticky, milky sap that grows to 5 metres or higher. The sap is poisonous and can cause skin irritation. Leaves are dark green and smooth above and pale green or whitish below with short, dense hairs. White, cream or pale pink flowers appear from November to April followed by green, spongy fruits which turn brown and woody and split to release numerous blackish seeds.
- Originally from
- South America
- Where is it a problem?
- Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Free State, Gauteng and Mpumalanga
- How does it spread?
- Seed dispersal by wind
- Why is it a problem?
- Overtops and smothers local species and produces a poisonous milky latex that can cause skin irritation. Seeds are also poisonous.
- Planting alternatives
- Traveller’s Joy (Clematis brachiata), Flowering Ivy (Senecio macroglossus), Starry Wild Jasmine (Jasminum multipartitum)
- Uses
- Ornamental
Please help...
Any donations would be greatly appreciated and are much needed to support these efforts. Please consider setting up a stop order with your bank for a regular monthly contribution rather than (or in addition to) a one-off donation. This would greatly assist us in budgeting and planning for the future.
Please EFT to the following account:
| Bank: | Nedbank |
| Branch name: Branch code: |
Morning Glen Branch 198 765 |
| Account Name: | Sandspruit Ullmann Park Association |
| Account Number: | 1014 852 641 |
| Reference: | Your name |
Any questions? Please contact us by clicking here.