| 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. | |
Funastrum cynanchoides (formerly called Sarcostemma cynanchoides), also known as 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. It has milky sap and smells pungent. It is similar to Funastrum hirtellum.
Description
It is a twining vine-like plant that grows over other shrubs.
Its narrow, arrowhead shaped leaves are opposite and 2.5 to 3.8 centimeters (1 to 1+1⁄2 inches) long.
The flowers are pink to purplish, and are produced in umbrella-like heads (umbels) up to 10 cm (4 in) wide.
It has a fruit that is 7.5 to 10 cm (3 to 4 in) long, with tufted seeds about 3.5 cm (1+1⁄2 in) long.
Distribution and habitat
It can be found from Southern California to Utah, Oklahoma and Texas. It grows at the edge of desert dry washes in the eastern Mojave Desert and Sonoran Desert at altitudes below 610 meters (2,000 feet).
In urban areas the vine freely climbs on plants, trees, as well as having a preference for chain-link fencing in neglected areas.
Ecology
The flowers are actively visited and fed on by butterflies, similar to other milkweeds.
References
- ^ MacKay, Pam (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.
- ^ Spellenberg, Richard (2001) . National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers: Western Region (rev ed.). Knopf. p. 350. ISBN 978-0-375-40233-3.
External links
Media related to Funastrum cynanchoides at Wikimedia Commons
- Calflora Database: Funastrum cynanchoides (Fringed twinevine)
- USDA Plants Profile for Funastrum cynanchoides (fringed twinevine)
| Taxon identifiers | |
|---|---|
| Funastrum cynanchoides |
|
| Sarcostemma cynanchoides | |
 | This Apocynaceae article is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it. |
- Asclepiadoideae
- North American desert flora
- Vines
- Flora of the California desert regions
- Flora of the Sonoran Deserts
- Flora of Mexico
- Flora of the South-Central United States
- Flora of the Southwestern United States
- Natural history of the Colorado Desert
- Natural history of the Mojave Desert
- Butterfly food plants
- Taxa named by Joseph Decaisne
- Apocynaceae stubs