Weedbusters

66

Moth vine

Location: North Island, top of the South Island Also known as: kapok vine, mothvine, milkvine, milk weed, wild choko vine, Araujia hortorum

Distinctive features: rampant, evergreen vine that can climb up to 10m. Smelly, milky sap and twining flexible stems are covered in down and woody near the base, with dark green leaves that are grey and downy underneath.

Why is it weedy: able to grow rapidly, creating large, heavy mass that smothers other plants and trees, shade and drought-tolerant, can grow in any soil.

How does it spread: its fruit produce huge numbers of seeds that can drift for long distances.