Not so long ago I wrote about a local plant known as Snake Vine (or Hibbertia scandens), a favourite in gardens and landscaping for its bright yellow flowers and ability to cope in really tough seaside conditions.

But there's actually another local Snake Vine, and one that's very dear to my heart, although it definitely isn't a favourite in gardening and landscaping.

It's the toughest of the tough, doesn't have beautiful big yellow flowers, and can in the right circumstances actually look like a snake! This crazy vine, with the scientific name Stephania japonica, is one you've probably seen around if you live near rainforest or woodland (i.e. if you walk in any local natural area).

You can tell it by the fact that the leaf stalk is attached to the middle of the leaf, rather than at one end – like a Nasturtium leaf. And does it run wild??? Yes, it does. 

This Snake Vine doesn't have showy yellow flowers. I'm not sure it will grow well on a trellis. But it does have absolutely stunning fruit, in tones of yellow, orange, red and green. 

I always enjoy seeing the Snake Vine in fruit, whether in the tall rainforest along the escarpment or in the tangled coastal rainforest thickets. It might mean yet more Snake Vine in years to come, but for now it's the most colourful, cheerful thing.

See if you can spot it!