The Milkweed Vines
Family: Apocynaceae
There are several related genera that are vining milkweeds, related to the genus Asclepias, and having many similar ecological relationships as the regular milkweeds. They host the following butterflies:
Soldier (Danaus eresimus ssp. montezuma)
These genera have been going through many taxonomic changes over the past few years and more changes are coming, so we’re putting these vines together into the same group.
Milkweed vines have very cool flowers, as most plants in the Apocynaceae do.
Most of these plants can grow best in part sun, with good drainage and moderate water provided when established. These vines are mostly subtropical and are best protected from frost, though many are root hardy when established and can survive temperatures as low as the teens °F.
Photo of Matelea parviflora by Max Licher, SEINET
Cynanchum: 277 species. Formerly known as Sarcostemma. These species are found throughout the tropics and subtropics. Several species also grow in temperate regions.
Funastrum: 23 species. The native range of this genus is W. Central & S. U.S.A. to Tropical America.
Gonolobus: 121 species. These species are native to South America, Central America, Mexico, the West Indies, and the southern United States.
Matelea: 267 species. New world species from southern North America to South America, including the Antilles.
Metastelma: 101 species. The native range of this genus is Tropical & Subtropical America.
Polystemma: 5 species. The native range of this species is Central Mexico to Central America.
Mexican Swallow-Wort (Cynanchum ligulatum), photo by Efraín Octavio Aguilar Pérez, iNaturalist
Wavyleaf Twinefine (Funastrum crispum)
Climbing Milkweed (Funastrum cyanchnoides), photo by ian_dip on iNaturalist. This is the most common of these, found in urban areas growing on structures like chain link fences.
Arizona Milkvine (Gonolobus arizonicus), photo by Sue Carnahan
Spearleaf (Matelea parviflora) photo by Max Licher, SEINET
Talayote (Matelea tristiflora), this species is about to be moved to the genus Polystemma, photo by Tom Van Devender, SEINET
Arizona Swallow-Wort (Metastelma arizonicum), photo by Stephen Hale, SEINET
Sonoran Milkvine (Polystemma cordifolia), photo by Sue Carnahan