Sarcopetalum harveyanum
pearl vine
Overview
Sarcopetalum harveyanum is a slender twining vine that climbs by winding its stems through surrounding plants, reaching 10-20 feet (3-6 m) into the lower canopy. The thin, heart-shaped leaves are 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) long, bright green, with a pointed tip and a notched base where the leaf stalk joins. Small greenish flowers are borne in slender clusters; male and female flowers grow on separate plants, so both are needed for fruit. Female vines carry rounded, fleshy drupes about 0.3 inch (6-8 mm) across that ripen from green to black with a pale bloom, giving rise to the pearl vine name. It grows in subtropical and warm-temperate rainforest and along moist forest margins in eastern Australia. The stems are not woody and twine rather than clinging, so the vine relies on nearby shrubs and trees for support. Growth is steady in warm, sheltered, moist conditions and slows in cold or dry sites. Because plants are either male or female, a single vine grown on its own will flower but set no fruit.
Native Range
Sarcopetalum harveyanum is native to eastern Australia, from Queensland to New South Wales. It grows in subtropical and warm-temperate rainforest and along moist, shaded forest margins.Suggested Uses
Sarcopetalum harveyanum is grown on trellises and low supports in shaded, frost-free gardens and in rainforest restoration in eastern Australia. Its fruit suits habitat plantings for native birds where both male and female plants are grown together.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height10' - 20'
Width/Spread6' - 10'
Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years
Bloom Information
Small greenish flowers open in spring and early summer, roughly September to December in eastern Australia. They are carried in slender hanging clusters and are easy to miss against the foliage. On female plants, rounded drupes follow and ripen black with a pale bloom.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
bright greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-6 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Sarcopetalum harveyanum grows in moist, sheltered, partly shaded positions on humus-rich, free-draining soils, with its roots in cool, damp ground. It twines through shrubs, trellises, or low trees, which it needs for support. Young plants benefit from steady moisture and shelter from drying wind, and established vines tolerate brief dry spells. It grows in frost-free to light-frost areas, roughly USDA zones 10-11, and is cut back by hard frost. Both a male and a female plant are needed for the female to set its pearl-like fruit. Growth is moderate, so the vine suits small to medium supports.Pruning
Trimming long or tangled stems after flowering keeps the vine tidy and within bounds, and it reshoots from cut stems. The soft stems are easy to cut and untangle from supports. Older vines can be cut back to renew growth from the base.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons