Skunk Vine Paederia foetida
University of Florida, IFAS, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants	St. Johns River Water Management District

Skunk vine (Paederia foetida), a woody vine from Asia, actually does smell more-or-less skunk-like. The aggressive, competitive plant may grow high into the trees in a variety of habitats, from mesic hammocks to xeric sand hill communities. It appears to prefer sunny floodplains and bottomlands. It can even grow under water. Reportedly introduced in 1897 as a "potential fiber crop", skunk vine now occurs throughout the southeastern United States. Herbarium records show that skunk vine grows in at least 17 counties of central and north central Florida.

Relatively little is known about the ecophysiology and management of skunk vine. It produces seeds but it is not known if the seeds are spread by birds or other animals. (Mocking birds are said to feed on its seeds.) Its stems root freely.


Here is a line drawing of skunk vine.


Skunk vine is a woody vine. Its stems, climbing or prostrate, are reported to grow to 30 feet long. Interestingly, the stems "invariably twine to the right." The leaves and stems have a skunk-like odor, especially when crushed. There is much variation in the shapes and sizes of the leaves. However, most skunk vine leaf blades have rounded-to-heart-shaped bases and long-pointed tips. The leaves have smooth margins (entire). Leaves may be opposite on the stem or, rarely, in whorls of three. Stipules are conspicuous. Leaves and flowers are on petioles (stems), which are mostly rather long (to 2.5 in. long). Skunk vine flowers are smallish, light grayish pink or lilac, with red centers. The fruit are small, shiny brown orbs having 2 black seeds.


For general information about skunkvine, download this UF/IFAS-EDIS publication, Natural Area Weeds: Skunkvine (Paederia foetida), by K.A. Langeland, R.K. Stocker and D.M. Brazis.

For more information and pictures about skunk vine, as contained in the Langeland/Burks book, Identification & Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas, download this Acrobat .PDF file.


The UF/IFAS Assessment lists plants according to their invasive status in Florida. View the list here.

Click here to see the herbarium specimen image of the UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA HERBARIUM DIGITAL IMAGING PROJECTS.

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