Native Plants

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Pyle, Lynn

Funastrum cynanchoides

Funastrum cynanchoides (Decne.) Schltr.

Fringed Twinevine, Climbing Milkweed Vine, Twine-vine

Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: FUCY

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A smooth vine with umbels of pale white, star-like flowers and long twining stems often clambering over tops of bushes; sap milky.

There are several similar species in the Southwest, all hairy or downy and with foliage that smells somewhat like hot rubber.

From the Image Gallery

10 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Vine
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Follicle
Size Notes: Climber

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AR , AZ , CA , NM , NV , OK , TX , UT
Native Distribution: Southern California east through southern Utah to Oklahoma and Texas, and south to Mexico.
Native Habitat: Chaparral & brush country, Open woodlands

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Limestone-based, Caliche type, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Attractive, Blooms ornamental, Twines on fences & other plants
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Milkweed, Monarch, Queen butterfly.

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Monarch
(Danaus plexippus)

Larval Host

Learn more at BAMONA

Queen
(Danaus gilippus)

Larval Host

Learn more at BAMONA

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACU		FACU		FACU	FACU				FAC

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

National Butterfly Center - Mission, TX

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-1310 Collected 2009-10-25 in Starr County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

1 collection(s) available in the Wildflower Center Seed Bank

Bibliography

Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Additional resources

USDA: Find Funastrum cynanchoides in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Funastrum cynanchoides in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Funastrum cynanchoides

Metadata

Record Modified: 2021-06-23
Research By: TWC Staff

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