Native Plants

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.

Enter a Plant Name:
Or you can choose a plant family:

Marcus, Joseph A.

Matelea reticulata

Matelea reticulata (Engelm. ex A. Gray) Woodson

Pearl Milkweed Vine, Netted Milkvine, Green Milkweed Vine, Net Vein Milkvine

Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)

Synonym(s): Gonolobus reticulatus

USDA Symbol: MARE4

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

From the Image Gallery

40 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Vine
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Follicle
Size Notes: Stems trailing or twining, up to about 12 feet long, often much shorter.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Green
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Distribution: Central, South and West Texas.
Native Habitat: Sandy or rocky soil in open woodlands and along forest edges

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Conditions Comments: Green milkweed vine is not a bold plant but the green star-shaped flowers with a pearly irridescent center are lovely and curious. Use as a novel woodland-edge garden feature. Blooms best with plenty of sun, but does well in some shade also. The Large interesting seed pod open up to release silky seed threads and many seeds. Members of the Milkweed family are host to Queen and Monarch butterflies.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Deer Resistant: High

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds

From the National Organizations Directory

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

Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Patsy Glenn Refuge, c/o Wimberley Birding Society - Wimberley, TX
Nueces River Authority - Uvalde, TX
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX
Texas Master Naturalists - Lost Pines Chapter - Bastrop, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
Jacob's Well Natural Area - Wimberley, TX
NPSOT - Williamson County Chapter - Georgetown, TX

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0109 Collected Apr. 24, 1991 in Bexar County by Lottie Millsaps
NPSOT 0012 Collected May 10, 1990 in Bexar County by Judith C. Berry
NPSOT 0411 Collected May 28, 1987 in Bexar County by Harry Cliffe
NPSOT 0279 Collected Sept. 19, 1992 in Comal County by Mary Beth White

4 specimen(s) available in the Digital Herbarium

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-SS-1 Collected 2006-06-16 in Travis County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

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

Bibliography

Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2020-07-31
Research By: LMD, NPIS

Go back