Invasive plants ~ Moth catcher

At this time of the year, there has been plenty of rain and the weather is warm, allowing the invasive plants to live up to their names. The Moth Catcher, Araujia serifera above is unusual because it's growing in the grass and has formed a bush of intertwined lianas. This plant is a vine and normally grows up trees and along fences. It grows very vigorously and quickly smothers trees and plants.

This one is growing in a more normal spot, up somebody's back wall and into the razor wire along the top. The seed pods are inedible and when they split, many seeds with parachutes are released to float on the breeze and establish themselves elsewhere. Moth Catcher belongs to the milkweed tribe of plants, Asclepiadaceae and thus contains milky latex sap from these plants is poisonous, causing skin irritation and prevents them from being eaten by most animals.

Originally from South America, it was first planted here as an ornamental garden plant but like many other invasives, it soon turned into a nuisance.