Funastrum cynanchoides

Funastrum cynanchoides (formerly called Sarcostemma cynanchoides[1]), fringed twinevine, twining milkweed or climbing milkweed, is a perennial plant in the family Apocynaceae that grows twining through other plants in the Mojave Desert and Sonoran Desert.[1] It has milky sap and smells pungent.[1] It is similar to Funastrum hirtellum.[1]

Funastrum cynanchoides
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Funastrum
Species:
F. cynanchoides
Binomial name
Funastrum cynanchoides
(Decne.) Schltr.
Synonyms

Sarcostemma cynanchoides Decne.

Habitat and range

It grows at the edge of desert dry washes below 2,000' in the eastern Mojave Desert and Sonoran Desert.[1]

Growth pattern

It is a twining vine-like plant that grows over other shrubs.[1] In urban areas the vine freely climbs on plants, trees, as well as having a preference for chain link fencing in neglected areas.

Leaves

Its narrow, arrowhead shaped leaves are opposite and 1" to 1 1/2" long.[1]

Flowers

Flowers are pink to purplish, and are produced in umbrella-like heads (umbels).[1] Flowers are actively visited and fed on by butterflies, similar to other milkweeds.

Fruits

It has a fruit that is 3" to 4" long, with tufted seeds about 1.4" long.[1]

References
  1. Pam MacKay (5 March 2013). Mojave Desert Wildflowers, 2nd: A Field Guide to Wildflowers, Trees, and Shrubs of the Mojave Desert, Including the Mojave National Preserve, Death Valley National Park, and Joshua Tree National Park. FalconGuides. p. 74. ISBN 978-0-7627-8033-4.


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