Cynanchum barbigerum
Family: Asclepiadaceae
Plant Description: Perennial vine with twining sems to 2 m or longer. Leaves 1-3.5 cm long, narrowly lanceolate to ovate-oblong, opposite. Flowers in axillary umbels, the corolla lobes about 3 mm long, white. Bleeds milky sap upon injury.
Plant Trivia: Hairs on the seeds act like parachutes to carry them long distances.
Field Identification: Hairiness of uppers sides of petals.
Occurrence: Frequent on various soils in brushy pastures and woods.
Bloom Period: April-October
Plant Use: Host plant to Queen butterflies.
Key to four Cynanchium species:
- Leaves 1-15 mm wide…………………………………………………………………………………..2
Leaves much wider…………………………………………………………………….C. racemosa
2. Corolla white, lobes pilose within………………………………………..C. barbigerum
Corolla not white……………………………………………………………………………………………3
3. Leaves 3-8 cm long…………………………………………………………….C. angustifolium
Leaves less than 3 cm long; corolla lobes puberulent…………C. maccartii
stxflora 