Citation: Fourn. in C. Martius, Fl. Bras. 6, 4:293 (1885).

Synonymy: A. sericofera of some authors, non Brot.

Common name: Cruel plant, (white) moth-plant, (white) bladder-flower.

Description:
Stems ribbed, young growth with dense white pubescence, less so with age; leaves distant in pairs, ovate-oblong or subdeltoid, truncate to shallowly cordate at the base, 5-10 cm long, 2.5-5 cm wide, mid-vein at the base of the leaf with 2-4 minute glands, upper leaf surface pale-green with scattered appressed hairs, lower leaf surface with a dense cover of short whitish appressed hairs; petioles c. 2-3 cm long.

Flowers white or cream-coloured, 2-3 cm across; sepals large, cordate; corolla tube c. 12 mm long; pollen masses pendulous; peduncle and pedicel enlarging in fruit.

Follicles more or less ovoid, grooved, to 12 cm long, c. 5 cm wide; seeds dark-brown, with a silky coma c. 3 cm long.

Published illustration: Kleinschmidt & Johnson (1977) Weeds of Queensland, p. 137.

Distribution:  Grown as a garden climber and spontaneous in suburban gardens.   W.Aust.; Qld; N.S.W.   Native to Brazil. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: Aug. — May.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: Seeds readily dispersed by wind. Mature seeds are poisonous to poultry. (Everist (1974) Poisonous plants of Australia).

Author: Not yet available