Caustic Vine

Sarcostemma viminale subsp. brunonianum
Family: APOCYNACEAE
It doesn’t sound like a desirable plant, does it? The early white settlers’ dislike of the environment they found themselves in is often reflected in the names they gave to the plants around them.
Kingsthorpe Hill was live with the sound of bees, last weekend, as they jostled with a multitude of other insects which wanted to feed on the nectar of these sweet-smelling flowers. There were butterflies aplenty, the males pursuing females, and duelling with other males for the best hilltop positions.
Caustic vines are peculiar leafless things. They have white sap which is said to irritate the skin and be a danger to the eyes, though it’s probably no more dangerous, really, than a frangipani plant.
Kingsthorpe Hill has a number of interesting dry rainforest plant species, and a very good view. The walk up to it is quite short, and you could take a picnic for all the family. You can get there by finding Graman Street and Emmanulla Drive, and looking out for the “lookout” signs.