Funastrum cynanchoides | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
(unranked): | Asterids |
Order: | Gentianales |
Family: | Apocynaceae |
Subfamily: | Asclepiadoideae |
Genus: | Funastrum |
Species: | F. cynanchoides |
Binomial name | |
Funastrum cynanchoides (Decne.) Schltr. |
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Synonyms | |
Sarcostemma cynanchoides Decne. |
Sarcostemma cynanchoides Decne.
Funastrum cynanchoides (formerly called Sarcostemma cynanchoides), fringed twinevine, twining milkweek or climbing milkweed, is a perennial plant in the Dogbane Family (Apocynaceae) that grows twining through other plants in the Mojave Desert and Sonoran Desert. It has milky sap and smells pungent. It is similar to Funastrum hirtellum.
It grows at the edge of desert dry washes below 2,000' in the eastern Mojave Desert and Sonoran Desert.
It is a twining vine-like plant that grows over other shrubs. In urban areas the vine freely climbs on plants, trees, as well as having a preference for chain link fencing in neglected areas.
Its narrow, arrowhead shaped leaves are opposite and 1" to 1 1/2" long.
Flowers are pink to purplish, and are produced in umbrella-like heads ((umbels). Flowers are actively visited and fed on by butterflies, similar to other milkweeds.
It has a fruit that is 3" to 4" long, with tufted seeds about 1.4" long.