Cryptostegia grandiflora R. Br. 1820, commonly called Rubber Vine or Purple Allamanda, because it contains commercial quality rubber (Latex), is a tropical, flowering vine, native to Madagascar.

As the vigorous, tropical plant has been introduced to Australia in 1875, it became an invasive species and a Weed of National Significance (WONS) and is a declared Class 2 pest plant in Queensland. The Rubber Vine is considered as the worst weed in all of Australia. The woody-perennial vine grows like a shrub and reach a height of about 2 meters, with climbing support from other plants it can reach lengths up to 30 meters and smothers riparian vegetation and forms dense thickets. As the rubber vine belongs to the dogbane family (Apocynaceae), sub family Asclepiadoideae, it contains toxic glucosides. The milky sap is very irritating to the skin, so it`s highly recommended to wear gloves, while handling the plant. The tropical climber is also poisonous for lifestock, less than 10 grams of rubber vine leaves can kill a horse. If the plant got prunned, discard the garden rubbish properly, as the dust of dried rubber vine leaves is also skin irritating.

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Image: Rubber Vine (Cryptostegia grandiflora)