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Milkweed Vine

Funastrum cynanchoides

Details & Attributes


Plant Type(s) Vines
Native to Arizona Yes!
Water Needs Low
Sun Full sun, partial shade
Pollinators Butterflies
Has Spines No
Size
In relative feet, width by height
6-20' × 6-20'
Flowering Season March-December
Flower Color White (sometimes with purple margins)
Minimum Temperature Range 10-15 °F
Leaf Description Arrowhead shaped
Fruit A pod which dries and splits revealing numerous tan seeds with feathery plumes
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Elevation Range 500-5500 ft.
Description Milkweed vine is considered a bit of a "weed" because of its ability to quickly colonize disturbed areas. This species sports arrowhead shaped leaves and thin twining stems which exude a milky sap when cut. At branch tips are clusters of white to white/lavender flowers which are attractive to butterflies. Seed pods dry and split to reveal numerous seeds with feathery plumes that are carried off on the wind to germinate elsewhere. best planted away from neatly kept gardens where seedlings can twine into shrubs and are difficult to remove.