Matelea reticulata
Family: Asclepiadaceae
Plant Description: Perennial vine with twining, hairy stems to 5 m or higher. Leaves cordate-ovoid, 5-12 cm long with basal lobes curling inward. Stems with milky sap. Flower in umbel-like cymes, the corolla lobed 4.5-6 mm long, pale green, netted with green-purple. Seeds with long white hairs.
Plant Trivia: Hairs on seeds act like small parachutes carrying the seed long distance on a windy day.
Field Identification:
Occurrence: Frequent of various soils in pastures, oak motts, and stream woods.
Bloom Period: April-October
Plant Use:
Key to the species of Matelea:
- Stems climbing…………………………………………………………………………………………..2
Stems not climbing……………………………………………………………………………………4
2. Leaves less than 2 cm wide……………………………………………….M. sagittifolia
Leaves 3-9 cm wide…………………………………………………………………………………..3
3. Corolla lobes ovate or elliptic………………………………………………M. reticulata
Corolla lobes linear-lanceolate…………………………………………M. gonocarpos
4. Leaves deeply cordate………………………………………………….M. cyanochoides
Leaves not cordate………………………………………………………………M. parviflora
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