Image - jardinage.ooreka.fr
Climbers are wonderful: they allow us to hide walls and walls that we do not want to be seen, and they also produce flowers that bring joy back to the place where they are. But sometimes, they adapt so well in some areas that they grow and grow ... becoming harmful to the natural environment. This is the case of the Araujia sericifera, better known as jasmín de Tucumán or miraguano.
In many countries, including Spain, is considered an invasive species and it has been included in the Spanish Catalog of Invasive Alien Species. For this reason, we are going to talk about it so that, in this way, you can identify it and avoid problems.
What is its origin and its characteristics?
Our protagonist is a native climber from South America. As we mentioned, its scientific name is Araujia sericifera, and it is known as miraguano, jasmine from Tucumán and cruel plant. It develops stems that grow in a spiral and that they can reach a length of up to 7 meters. The leaves are evergreen, pale green, ovate-oblong and hairy on the underside.
The flowers are tubular in shape, and are composed of 5 very attractive lobes for butterflies and bees. They are fragrant, appearing from summer to fall. The fruit is very reminiscent of the appearance of the pear, and inside we find many black seeds that are covered with long silky hairs.
Where is it considered invasive?
La Araujia sericifera It is a really beautiful plant that could be kept in a garden as long as there were no frosts, but having such a rapid growth it can weaken other plants that are around it. For this reason, in places outside its natural distribution it is not seen with good eyes.
And, if its undeniable ornamental value has led it to Southern Europe, South Africa, North America, Australia and New ZealandNow it is precisely in those places where it is wreaking havoc on the natural environment. For this reason, its possession, transport, traffic and trade is prohibited.
A real shame, really. But the native fauna and flora must be protected first of all, since they are what make each ecosystem unique and special.