Slender, branched, perennial climber with tuberous roots.
Weed Category:
Weed:
No
Form or habit:
Vine (Climbing, Twining or groundcover)
Family:
Laxmanniaceae
Leaf:
Alternate, linear to broadly ovate, 2.5-12 x 2-35mm, venation parallel with several veins conspicuous on underside, sessile or with a petiole up to 1mm long.
Flower conspicuous:
Conspicuous
Flower colour:
White, Pink
Flower description:
Axillary cymes of a few, small pink to white flowers with fringed petals. August to June.
Fruit conspicuous:
Conspicuous
Fruit colour:
Orange, Yellow
Fruit:
Fruit description:
Fleshy, bright yellow orange capsules, 1-2cm in diameter. Capsules split to reveal the black seed and fleshy white aril. Any month of the year.
Habitat:
Gallery (riverine or riparian) forest, rainforest, woodland.
Distribution
Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, New Guinea.
Food source for:
Fruit eaten by the Lewin's honeyeater and Australian king parrot. Larval food plant of the ivy leafroller moth Cryptoptila immersana and the beetle Aproida balyi.
Toxicity:
No toxicity known
Origin:
Australia, New Guinea.
Notes:
Most soils are suitable but it requires fairly good drainage, will grow in sun or semi-shade. Seed germinates readily. The tubers are edible raw and quite sweet.
Information sources:
Melzer R. & Plumb J. (2007) Plants of Capricornia.
