Aphanopetlum resinousum [Aphanopetalaceae]; Gum VineIt’s hard to understand why more landscape architects and home gardeners are not using this plant.
This is a remarkably adaptable climber: tolerant of wet conditions, surprisingly drought hardy, and moderate in its growth rate. The latter is often optimal because very fast growing climbers can be a burden in the long-term. Tolerant of all light conditions, although much preferring a little bit of shade. Doesn't tend to defoliate at the base like some climbers can. Just like the ubiquitous star jasmine, it can be treated as a ground cover or a climber. Sure, it’s flowering isn’t quite as profligate, nor profusely scented. But aren’t we all a bit tired of start jasmine by now?
Native to much of temperate eastern Australia, this plant is surprisingly easy to overlook in the wild. I have rarely, if ever, noticed it in nature.
It was once thought to be closely related to the genus Ceratopetalum, which includes Sydney Christmas Bush and Coachwood, partly because of its apparently similar flower structure. It has since been placed in its own family, Aphanopetalaceae, which contains only one other species: Ceratopetalum clematidium, native to Western Australia.
That reclassification places the family in an entirely different order, offering a striking reminder of how easily plant morphology can mislead us about genetic relationships.
