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 | |
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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.
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
- 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.
External links
- Calflora Database: Funastrum cynanchoides (Fringed twinevine)
- USDA Plants Profile for Funastrum cynanchoides (fringed twinevine)
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Funastrum cynanchoides. |