Cryptostegia madagascariensis glaberrima

Description

Cryptostegia are evergreen and are grown for their showy ornamental vines. They are vigorous and self-supporting and their vines sometimes attain a length of 15m. Leaves are ovate, opposite, glossy and dark green. They are 6�10 cm long and 3�5 cm wide. Clusters of large, showy, funnel-shaped flowers with 5 white to rose-pink or reddish-purple petals bloom in summer after the wet season. Seed pods are rigid 10�12 cm long and 3�4 cm wide, and grow in pairs at the end of a short stalk. The seeds are attached to a silky white floss. The plants grow rampantly in a favourable climate and are invasive in some areas. In Australia Cryptostegia grandiflora in particular has been declared a Weed of National Significance. It is regarded as one of the worst weeds in Australia because of its invasiveness, potential for spread, and economic and environmental impacts.