Leichhardtia rostrata (Common Milk Vine)

Leichhardtia spp.

bush banana

Apocynaceae

Australia, with extensions into Southeast Asia and the Pacific

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 10–11

Overview

Leichhardtia spp. is a genus of twining, woody-stemmed vines in the family Apocynaceae, native largely to Australia with some species reaching Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Plants climb by twining stems that exude a milky white latex when cut, bearing opposite leaves that range from narrow to broad depending on species. The small flowers are five-lobed and star-shaped, cream to yellow-green or pinkish, carried in stalked clusters along the stems. Fruits are paired or single follicles that split to release flat seeds, each tipped with a tuft of silky hairs for wind dispersal. L. australis, the bush banana or doubah, is a well-documented Australian species whose young fruit, flowers, and tubers have long been eaten as bush food. The genus grows in woodland, scrub, and arid shrubland, often scrambling through host shrubs, and many species tolerate extended dry periods once established. Several were formerly classified in the genus Marsdenia spp.. As twining climbers, plants need support or a host to reach their full height, and the milky sap can irritate skin in some people.

Native Range

Leichhardtia spp. is native mainly to Australia, where it occurs across tropical, subtropical, and arid regions, with additional species in Southeast Asia and the western Pacific. Plants grow in woodland, vine thickets, and dry shrubland.

Suggested Uses

Grown on trellises, fences, and over shrubs in warm-climate and native gardens, and used in bush-tucker plantings for the edible parts of L. australis. Climbing stems are trained on supports spaced according to the vigour of the species.

How to Identify

Recognized as a twining vine with opposite leaves and milky white sap that bleeds from cut stems. The small star-shaped flowers grow in stalked side clusters, and the paired follicle fruits split open to release silky-plumed seeds. Stem twining and latex separate it from many other climbers.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 20'

Width/Spread3' - 10'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering is mainly in the warmer months, from spring through summer, varying with region and rainfall. The clustered cream to greenish flowers open over several weeks and give way to follicle fruits. In arid areas flowering follows rain rather than a fixed season.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

cream to yellow-green or pinkish

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

2-4 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants grow in full sun to part shade and require well-drained soil, tolerating sandy and rocky ground. A support such as a trellis, fence, or host shrub is needed for the twining stems. Established vines tolerate dry conditions, and arid-zone species need little water once rooted. Frost tolerance is generally low, with most species suited to warm, frost-free climates. The milky latex can irritate skin, and the foliage of some species can be toxic to grazing stock.

Pruning

Stems can be cut back in late winter to control spread and remove tangled growth. Vines reshoot readily from the base and lower stems after pruning. Cut stems release milky sap that can stain and irritate.