Funastrum cynanchoides var. hartwegi

Common Name: Hartweg's Fringed Twinevine
Oˊodham Name: Wi:bam
Group: Annuals － Desert, Riparian areas

Description

Funastrum cynanchoides var. hartwegi is a milkweed that emerges from a large tap root during spring and summer to form a rapidly growing vine that may climb to a height of 8 or 10 feet. The vine winds over and through all vegetation near the emergent point. Leaves are linear and in pairs, Purplish flowers have a fringe of tiny hairs and form as a cluster. Foul-smelling milky white sap is released from a damaged stem; it is toxic and irritates the skin. It may be difficult to completely wash off the skin. This species grows in sandy areas of deserts and riparian areas, between about 2500 and 4500 feet elevation.

Classification

Kingdom Plantae － Plants

Subkingdom Tracheobionta － Vascular plants

Superdivision Spermatophyta － Seed plants

Division Magnoliophyta － Flowering plants

Class Magnoliopsida － Dicotyledons

Subclass Asteridae

Order Gentianales

Family Asclepiadaceae － Milkweed family

Genus Funastrum Fourn. － twinevine

Species Funastrum cynanchoides (Decne.) Schltr. － fringed twinevine

Variety Funastrum cynanchoides (Decne.) Schltr. var. hartwegii (Vail) Krings － Hartweg's fringed twinevine

More Information

Distribution Maps: USDA