Araujia sericifera
Bladderflower
(c) Jacqui Geux, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jacqui Geux · licence
Family: Apocynaceae · Type: Vine · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Araujia sericifera (Bladderflower) is a non-native California vine in the Apocynaceae family, recognized by Only Araujia in CA - a South American genus with inflated fruits and distinctive pistil head morphology unlike native Apocynaceae.
Bladderflower is a naturalized perennial vine found in coastal California regions including southern Coastal Range, Southern California, Western Transverse Ranges, and Peninsular Ranges in chaparral and woodland habitats, particularly citrus groves, at elevations of 100 to 400 meters. Flowering from August to October, this plant produces white flowers in bell- or funnel-shaped corollas 2 to 3 centimeters long with distinctive elongate pistil lobes. Growing with soft, tomentose stems that can reach up to 12 meters in length, it forms a climbing or sprawling vine. Its leaves are 5 to 12 centimeters long, smooth on the upper surface and densely puberulent underneath, with petioles longer than 1 centimeter. The plant produces large fruits 10 to 12 centimeters long, characteristic of its distinctive bladder-like appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only Araujia in CA - a South American genus with inflated fruits and distinctive pistil head morphology unlike native Apocynaceae
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, woodland, especially citrus groves
Elevation: 100-400 m
Outside California: Georgia, native to South America
Bloom period
Araujia sericifera blooms Aug-Oct.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
How to tell it apart
vs Citrus: Araujia is a twining vine; Citrus is a woody tree with thorns.; vs Ficus: Araujia has milky sap and opposite leaves; Ficus has alternate leaves and figs.; vs Lantana: Araujia is a climbing vine; Lantana is a shrub with square stems.; vs Matelea: Araujia is a climbing vine; Matelea is low and spreading on ground.; vs Asclepias: Araujia climbs as a vine; Asclepias stands upright, never climbing.
Frequently asked questions
Is Araujia sericifera native to California?
No. Araujia sericifera is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Araujia sericifera bloom?
Araujia sericifera blooms Aug-Oct.
What plant family does Araujia sericifera belong to?
Araujia sericifera is in the Apocynaceae family, genus Araujia.
Is Araujia sericifera invasive in California?
Araujia sericifera is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
What habitat does Araujia sericifera grow in?
Araujia sericifera grows in Chaparral, woodland, especially citrus groves.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.