Araujia sericifera (Bladder flower)

Botanical names: Araujia sericifera, Physianthus albens

Common name: Bladder flower

Family: Asclepiadaceae

Origin: South America

A bold and distinct twining evergreen climber or robust twining shrub having racemes of fragrant white or pink flowers with flat spreading terminal petals that trap nocturnal moths and hold them until dawn. Flowers all summer. The foliage is a light grey green and the plant can be kept back by pruning. After a long hot summer, large green pod like curious fruits are carried. Sometimes referred to as the cruel plant due to the moths that pollinate it being held onto by the flowers and only being released the following day. Only suitable for sunny spots in warmer counties or conservatory where the scent is more noticeable.