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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Matelea biflora (Star milkvine)
Marcus, Joseph A.

Matelea biflora

Matelea biflora (Raf.) Woodson

Star Milkvine, Purple Milkweed Vine

Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)

Synonym(s): Gonolobus biflorus

USDA Symbol: MABI6

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

 

From the Image Gallery

22 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Vine
Fruit Type: Follicle
Size Notes: Stems prostrate, up to about 2 feet long.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Purple , Brown
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: NM , OK , TX
Native Habitat: Common throughout the Central Texas in pastures, prairies and open ground; usually in chalky soil.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Conditions Comments: Trailing vine graced by five-petaled star-shaped deep purplish-brown flowers. The stems of the vine grow from a central rootstock and extend to about 2 feet in length.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Order seed of this species from Native American Seed and help support the Wildflower Center.

From the National Organizations Directory

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

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX
Patsy Glenn Refuge, c/o Wimberley Birding Society - Wimberley, TX
Texas Master Naturalists - Lost Pines Chapter - Bastrop, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Williamson County Chapter - Georgetown, TX

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0371 Collected May 14, 1993 in Comal County by Mary Beth White
NPSOT 0658 Collected Jun 12,1992 in Bexar County by Harry Cliffe

2 specimen(s) available in the Digital Herbarium

Web Reference

Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-17
Research By: TWC Staff

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