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| Four-barred Swordtail Plant Profile |
Zig-Zag Vine (Melodorum leichhardtii , formerly Rauwenhoffia leichhardtii)
Host for butterfly: Four-barred Swordtail (Protographium leosthenes leosthenes)
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Height: These vines will reach the canopy of the rainforest.
Shape: Can be kept as a small shrub by pruning.
Growth and Features: Prefers to be planted in a shady position. The growth is slow at first, but once it gets established, it will quickly reach the canopy of the tallest tree. The soil needs to be moist but well-drained with a good covering of mulch. The fruit is edible, tasting not unlike citrus, but don't eat too many as they will remove the lining of your mouth!
Fertiliser: Generally a handful of the processed chicken manures (now readily available) upon planting, followed by a couple of handfuls every few months. Mulch to approximately 15 centimetres deep, keeping the mulch 15 centimetres from the stem.
Why Was This Plant chosen? So far this is the only known larval food plant for this butterfly. Another butterfly, the Pale Triangle ( Graphium eurypylus ) also uses this as a larval food plant.
This article was written by Bob Miller.
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