Native Plants

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Friday - June 08, 2007
From: Cleveland, OH
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification, Vines
Title: Identification of Matelea reticulata
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I recently saw blooming in an Austin park a small white-green flower ( 3/4 ") with a center that looked like a small pearl. Any idea what it is. I can't find it in my flower book, It was on a waist high somewhat leggy bush.ANSWER:
What you saw was Matelea reticulata (pearl milkweed vine), one of Mr. Smarty Plants favorite plants. It, along with other members of the Family Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family), is a host for the monarch butterfly. Texas has a wealth of milkweeds for monarchs to feed on.
More Vines Questions
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Information about mustang grapes
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I miss my Mustang grape jelly. Is t...
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Blooming challenges with oakleaf hydrangea and bittersweet vine in KY
October 03, 2010 - 1. I cut back my oak leaf hydrangea last fall and it did not bloom this past year. Problem?
2. I have 3 yr old male/female bittersweet plants growing heartily, but no berries. Problem?
Thank you!
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Plant identification--vine with spiny pods in California
July 05, 2010 - I came across a vine while hiking in Orange County, CA. It didn't have flowers on it but has 3 or 4 inch spiny pods. What is it? The vine itself looks similar to a Morning Glory vine.
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Thorny vines for a shady Louisiana fence
January 17, 2015 - Do you know of a fast growing, non-invasive, thorny vine that I can grow along a shady fence row in Baton Rouge, Louisiana?
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