Bellbird vine
Melodinus australis, Fam. Apocynaceae
Woody climbing plant with milky sap.
| Weed Category: | |
| Weed: | No |
| Form or habit: | Vine (Climbing, Twining or groundcover) |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Leaf: | Simple, opposite, ovate to elliptic, 4.3-12.5 x 1.2-6.5cm, smooth; margin entire to undulate, conspicuous, numerous and more or less parallel veins. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
White, Yellow |
| Flower description: | Small racemes of five to nine small, white or white to yellow flowers; subtle fragrance. Spring to Autumn. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Orange, Red |
| Fruit: | |
| Fruit description: | Fleshy oval berries, orange red when ripe, up to 6cm long. |
| Habitat: | Rainforest |
| Distribution | Queensland, New South Wales, New Guinea, Melaneisa. |
| Food source for: | Fruit eaten by grey-headed flying fox, southern cassowary and sulphur crested cockatoo. |
| Toxicity: | No known toxicity |
| Origin: | Australia, New Guinea, Melaneisa. |
| Notes: | Ripe fruit reported to be edible but it is not known whether pre-treatment is required. |
| Information sources: | Melzer R. & Plumb J. (2007) Plants of Capricornia. |
