ExplorePlants

Pearl Milkweed

Matelea reticulata

Pearl Milkweed is a unique plant with beautiful, round clusters of flowers. It attracts butterflies and is a great addition to gardens, making them colorful and lively!

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Pearl Milkweed is a slender vining plant with heart-shaped leaves and intriguing clusters of small, star-shaped flowers. Its blooms are typically greenish-yellow to reddish-brown, often appearing waxy or pearl-like, giving it a unique, somewhat alien appearance. The foliage provides a lush green backdrop for its unusual blossoms.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderGentianalesFamilyApocynaceaeGenusDictyanthus
Pearl Milkweed
aromatic trait badgeflowering trait badgecluster_flower trait badgesummer_blooming trait badge
Pearl Milkweed

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

It's a vine that loves to climb, using other plants as a living ladder to reach the sun!

Its unusual flowers look like miniature starfish or tiny alien pods!

The milky sap in its stems can actually trap small insects, holding them fast!

The scientific name, Matelea, means 'to be milky' because of its unique sap!

Special abilities

Ability

Sticky Defense

Pearl Milkweed can produce a milky sap that helps it deter hungry insects from taking a bite, protecting its leaves.

Ability

Climbing Power

Pearl Milkweed has twining stems that allow it to climb high on other plants, reaching more sunlight for growth.

Ability

Hidden Nectar

Pearl Milkweed has tiny, intricate flowers that are perfectly shaped for specific insects to reach its sweet nectar.

Measurements & details

Height
100-300 cm
Spread
50-200 cm
Flower Size
1-2 cm
Bloom Season
Late spring to summer
Edible
No
Toxicity
Moderate
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

eaten by

Oleander Aphid

Aphis nerii

Feeds on its leaves and sap.

pollinates

European honey bee

Apis mellifera

Visits flowers for nectar and pollen.

eaten by

Queen Butterfly

Danaus gilippus

Larvae feed on leaves, storing its toxins.

hunts

Convergent Lady Beetle

Hippodamia convergens

Eats aphids found on the plant.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch plants without asking an adult first.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Pearl Milkweed?

100-300 cm

How wide does Pearl Milkweed spread?

50-200 cm

How big are the flowers on Pearl Milkweed?

1-2 cm

When does Pearl Milkweed bloom?

Late spring to summer

Is Pearl Milkweed edible?

No

Is Pearl Milkweed toxic?

Moderate

What is Pearl Milkweed's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is Pearl Milkweed pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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Recent Snaps

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Where to spot

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