European swallow-wort
ExplorePlants
European swallow-wort
Vincetoxicum rossicum
European swallow-wort is a climbing plant with beautiful green leaves and pretty flowers. It can grow in many places and is known for its unique shape and color.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The European swallow-wort is a twining vine with slender stems and dark green, oval leaves arranged in opposite pairs. Its small, star-shaped flowers are reddish-brown to dark purple, often appearing in clusters. These subtle blooms help it blend into dense vegetation.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderGentianalesFamilyApocynaceaeGenusVincetoxicum
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Its seed pods look like tiny green bananas, but they split open to release hundreds of parachute-like seeds!
Some people call it the 'strangler vine' because it can choke out native plants, changing entire habitats!
This plant can grow super fast, climbing over and smothering other plants like a green blanket!
Unlike many of its relatives in the milkweed family, this plant produces no milky sap when broken!
Special abilities
Ability
Climbing Power
European swallow-wort can twine its stems around other plants and structures, helping it reach sunlight in crowded environments.
Ability
Wind Sailor
European swallow-wort produces pods that burst open, launching seeds with silky tufts that float on the wind to spread far.
Ability
Chemical Warfare
European swallow-wort can release chemicals into the soil that make it harder for other plants to grow nearby, giving it an advantage.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 50-200 cm
- Spread
- 50-100 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.5-1 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Moderate
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
eaten by
Monarch butterfly
Danaus plexippus
Larvae mistakenly eat leaves, leading to death.
pollinates
Blue Bottle Fly
Calliphora vicina
Attracted by its scent, helps flowers reproduce.
parasitizes
White Trillium
Trillium grandiflorum
Outcompetes native wildflowers for light and space.
Traits
Climbing/Vine
Climbing or vine plants are characterized by a growth habit that allows them to ascend upwards by twining, tendrils, or adhesive roots.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Invasive
Invasive species are non-native organisms that cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Don't touch or eat plants unless you know they are safe. Always ask an adult first!
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is European swallow-wort?
50-200 cm
How wide does European swallow-wort spread?
50-100 cm
How big are the flowers on European swallow-wort?
0.5-1 cm
When does European swallow-wort bloom?
Summer
Is European swallow-wort edible?
No
Is European swallow-wort toxic?
Moderate
What is European swallow-wort's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is European swallow-wort pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
