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black swallow-wort

Vincetoxicum nigrum

Black swallow-wort is a climbing plant with dark green leaves and pretty flowers. It can grow in many places and is often found in gardens and fields, making it a lovely addition to nature.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The black swallow-wort is a twining perennial vine with slender stems and glossy, dark green oval leaves arranged in pairs. It has clusters of tiny, star-shaped flowers that are dark purple to nearly black, often appearing brownish-purple up close, making them distinct from other vines.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderGentianalesFamilyApocynaceaeGenusVincetoxicum
black swallow-wort
climbing trait badgearomatic trait badgeflowering trait badgesummer_blooming trait badge
black swallow-wort

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Even though it looks like milkweed, monarch butterfly caterpillars can't survive eating its toxic leaves!

Its seeds have feathery parachutes, like dandelions, allowing them to fly long distances in the wind!

One plant can make over 2,000 seeds in a year, helping it spread super fast!

This plant is nicknamed 'dog-strangling vine' because it can completely cover and choke out other plants!

Special abilities

Ability

Smothering Growth

Black swallow-wort can rapidly climb and smother native vegetation, using its twining stems to outcompete other plants for sunlight and space.

Ability

Explosive Seeds

Black swallow-wort has explosive seed pods that release hundreds of parachute-like seeds, helping it spread far and wide with the wind.

Ability

Monarch Mimicry Trap

Black swallow-wort produces chemicals similar to milkweeds, tricking monarch butterflies into laying eggs, though their larvae cannot survive.

Measurements & details

Height
100-200 cm
Spread
50-150 cm
Flower Size
0.5-0.8 cm
Bloom Season
Summer
Edible
No
Toxicity
High
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

eaten by

Monarch butterfly

Danaus plexippus

Larvae attempt to eat leaves, but cannot survive due to toxicity.

eats

Swallow-wort moth

Hypena opulenta

Larvae specifically feed on the plant, used as a biocontrol agent.

pollinates

House fly

Musca domestica

Visits flowers, aiding in pollination.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Always wash your hands after touching plants, just to be safe!

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is black swallow-wort?

100-200 cm

How wide does black swallow-wort spread?

50-150 cm

How big are the flowers on black swallow-wort?

0.5-0.8 cm

When does black swallow-wort bloom?

Summer

Is black swallow-wort edible?

No

Is black swallow-wort toxic?

High

What is black swallow-wort's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is black swallow-wort pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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