Click on any image to open the slideshow
Paederia foetida
Skunkvine
Stinkvine
Not native to Florida
This plant is an invasive exotic that is altering native plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structures or ecological functions, or hybridizing with natives.
This species should never be planted (many with this designation are prohibited by law), and generally should be removed whenever possible.
This native of Asia is a problem invasive plant in the north and central peninsula of Florida. It is also now found in Texas, Louisiana, South Carolina and Hawaii.
These twining vines grow from woody rootstock to over 20 feet long. The oval to linear-lanceolate leaves are petioled, opposite and often lobed at the base. When the leaves and vine are crushed a pungent, skunky smell is emitted. The cream to greyish-pink, small, trumpet shaped flowers appear on cymes and have lilac colored centers. The small shiny, golden-brown fruit can persist through the winter.
Paederia foetida is a member of the Rubiaceae - Madder family.
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants (Institute for Systemic Botany) profile for this species
USDA Plant Profile for this species
Date record last modified: Aug 07, 2016
