Parsonsia straminea: belongs to the Apocynaceae family and is known as the Common Silkpod.
Parsonsia straminea is a twining climber that has adventitious roots (in this case roots arise from where the leaves join the stem) . These enable the vine to cling to the trunks of trees and shrubs.
Juvenile leaves are about five centimetres long, ovate with a heart-shaped base, greenish above and purplish beneath (see photo).
Adult leaves are glossy, elliptical, opposite with a rounded or heart-shaped base. They may be up to 20 centimetres long.
The flowers usually appear in spring and summer but may be present at other times. Blooms are small, cream, yellowish or pink, sweetly scented and attract butterflies.
Flowers are followed by long, narrow pods that are up to 20 centimetres long, one centimetre wide and tapered at both ends. When mature the pods open they release large numbers of silky seeds. The seed appearance has given rise to the common name.
The distribution, of the Common Silkpod, extends from far northern Queensland to northern New South Wales. The species may be found in many habitats including heathland, open forest and rainforest. The specimen illustrated was growing in open forest in Bongil Bongil National Park on the North Coast of New South Wales.
Parsonsia straminea is large enough and dense enough to cover large areas.
Propagate from fresh seed or cuttings.

Plants