honey-vine climbing milkweed

Cynanchum laeve

Honey-vine climbing milkweed is a fun plant that grows tall and loves to climb! It has pretty flowers that attract butterflies and bees, making it a great friend to nature.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The honey-vine climbing milkweed is a twining vine with shiny, heart-shaped leaves that are typically opposite along its stem. It produces small, star-shaped flowers that are greenish-white to pale yellow, often appearing in clusters. Later, smooth, pointed seed pods develop.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderGentianalesFamilyApocynaceaeGenusCynanchum

honey-vine climbing milkweed

Interesting facts

Each smooth seed pod can release hundreds of fluffy, wind-blown seeds!

It's called 'milkweed,' but isn't in the true milkweed genus!

Its strong stems can quickly climb over other plants and fences!

The unique star-shaped flowers have tiny traps for pollen!

Special abilities

Honey-vine climbing milkweed can twine its flexible stems around other plants or structures to reach sunlight high above.

Honey-vine climbing milkweed has a milky, sticky sap that deters many herbivores from eating its leaves and stems.

Honey-vine climbing milkweed has seeds equipped with silky tufts, allowing them to fly far on the wind to new places.

Measurements & details

Height: 300-600 cm
Flower Size: 0.3-0.6 cm
Bloom Season: Summer-fall
Edible: No
Toxicity: Mild
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

eats

Monarch butterfly

Danaus plexippus

Larvae sometimes feed on leaves.

pollinates

European honey bee

Apis mellifera

Visits flowers to collect nectar.

eats

Large milkweed bug

Oncopeltus fasciatus

Feeds on seeds and sap of pods.

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.

Fragrant Flower

Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Rapid Growing

Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.