© Tina Raveneau, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC) · iNaturalist
Overview
Sarcopetalum spp. is a genus in the moonseed family (Menispermaceae) containing a single recognized species, S. harveyanum, known as pearl vine, native to eastern Australia. It is a woody, twining climber that reaches 6-30 feet (2-9 m) into the rainforest canopy, with slender stems that wind around supports. Leaves are alternate, broadly heart-shaped, 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) long, with a pointed tip and a smooth to slightly hairy surface. Plants are dioecious, with separate male and female individuals; small greenish to cream flowers are borne in slender clusters during spring and summer. Female plants produce rounded black drupes about 0.25-0.4 inch (6-10 mm) across, each containing a single curved seed. The vine grows in warm, humid forest margins and gullies and dies back where frost occurs. Without support it forms a low scrambling mass rather than climbing. Growth is rapid in warm, moist conditions, and stems can tangle through nearby shrubs.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, from coastal and subcoastal Queensland south into New South Wales. Grows in subtropical and warm-temperate rainforest, along forest margins, and in moist gullies at low to moderate elevations.Suggested Uses
Pearl vine is grown on trellises, fences, and pergolas in frost-free subtropical gardens and in rainforest-style plantings. Its twining habit covers vertical supports within a few seasons. It is unsuited to cold-winter regions and to long-term container growing.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6' - 30'
Width/Spread3' - 6'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight