skunk-vine
Paederia foetida L.
Overview
- Appearance
- Paederia foetida is a perennial, climbing or trailing vine that can grow to 30 ft. (9.1 m) long. Plants originate from a woody root-stock and can invade natural and disturbed areas of Hawaii and the southeastern United States.
- Foliage
- The opposite leaves are up to 4.5 in. (11.4 cm) long, lance-shaped, often lobed at the base, and on petioles up to 2.5 in. (6.4 cm) long. The stems and leaves have a strong, unpleasant odor when crushed, giving this plant its common name, skunk-vine.
- Flowers
- Flowering occurs in late summer to fall, when small, pink or lilac flowers occur in clusters, either terminally or in leaf axils.
- Fruit
- Fruit are nearly-round, shiny, brown and up to 0.3 in. (0.7 cm) wide.
- Ecological Threat
- Paederia foetida has the potential to invade a large variety of disturbed and high quality habitats. Currently, it is widespread in Florida and in small areas of other southeastern states and Hawaii. Trailing infestations can completely cover and kill low-growing plants and small shrubs. Climbing infestations can strangle even large trees and restrict light availability to species below. Paederia foetida is native to Asia and was first introduced into the United States before 1897 as a potential fiber plant.
Resources
- Invasive Species Management Plans for Florida - University of Florida - Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
- Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the EAstern United States - USDA Forest Service
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State List - This map identifies those states that list this species on their invasive species list or law. For more information, visit Invasive.org
Invasive Listing Sources
- Alabama Noxious Weeds - Class B Noxious Weed
- Alachua County Cogongrass Initiative
- Apalachicola Invasive Working Group
- Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council - Category I
- Florida Noxious Weeds
- Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council - Category 1 Alert
- Invasive Species of Concern in Georgia
- John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
- Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
- Treasure Coast Cooperative Invasive Species Mgmt. Area
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
Taxonomic Rank
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Subclass: Asteridae |
| Order: Gentianales |
| Family: Rubiaceae |
| Genus: Paederia |
| Subject: Paederia foetida L. |
Synonyms and Other Names
Other Common Names:
skunk vine, stinkvine
Related Scientific Names:
Paederia scandens L. (Synonym)
References
Common Name Reference: Weed Science Society of America Common Names List
Scientific Name Reference: PLANTS Database