Moth plant is a fast-growing vine that can reach 10m tall.  The twining stems release a milky sap when they're broken.  The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs along the stems and are dark green with greyish-downy undersides.  The flowers are usually white but can sometimes be pink. They are bell-shaped and about 25mm across.  It produces very distinctive, large (approx. 10cm long), pear-shaped pods full of tiny seeds that are attached to long, silken hairs.

Moth plant can grow in almost any frost-free habitat, including intact and disturbed forest, forest margins, tracks, cliffs, riparian margins, shrublands, and islands.  It is also a problem in urban reserves and gardens where it can spread quickly.  It prefers loose, fertile soils in warm, wet areas.  It establishes most freely in semi-shade but will tolerate exposure to full light once it reaches the canopy of shrubs, hedges, or trees.

Moth plant can rapidly smother and replace native vegetation. It easily overtops shrubs and small trees, weighing and breaking them down. It also spreads over the ground, dominating seedlings and native plants of small stature. Easily spread by wind dispersal, due to it's prolific seeding abilities.

Physical control

• Gloves are recommended when handling moth plant. Pull out seedlings. Roots of large plants should be cut off at least 5cm underground; or
• Bag all pods with a cup of water and allow to rot down for 6months, then compost.

Herbicide control

• Cut down and stump-treat larger stems with 200mls Banvine® per 1 litre water or 100mls Brushkiller per 1 litre water or Metgel.
• Treat 50cm of lower stem with metgel. This will kill the whole plant.
• Clear off desirable trees and spray carefully with 120mls Banvine® per 10 litres water or 120mls Brushkiller per 10 litres water or 5g metsulfuron-methyl (600 g/kg e.g. Escort®) + 10mls penetrant per 10 litres water. 

CAUTION: When using any herbicide or pesticide, PLEASE READ THE LABEL THOROUGHLY to ensure all instructions and safety requirements are followed.