Cynanchum laeve

Cynanchum laeve
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Apocynaceae
Subfamily:	Asclepiadoideae
Genus:	Cynanchum
Species:	C. laeve
Binomial name
Cynanchum laeve (Michx.) Pers.

A botanical illustration of C. laeve

Cynanchum laeve (syn. Ampelamus albidus) is a vining perennial herb native to eastern and central U.S. states and Ontario. Common names include honeyvine, honeyvine milkweed, bluevine milkweed, climbing milkweed, and smooth swallow-wort.

Like bindweed and some other members of the Convolvulaceae, Cynanchum laeve is a twining vine with heart-shaped leaves common in roadsides, fence rows, fields, and disturbed areas. However, C. laeve is easily recognized as a member of the Milkweed family by its opposite leave placement, milky sap and distinctive flowers and "milkweed pods." The seeds are wind dispersed and can travel long distances.^[1]

Cynanchum laeve is considered a noxious weed in several states,^[2] and can be very difficult to eradicate from fields because of its deep, extensive root system.^[3] Like many other milkweed species, C. laeve contains toxic cardenolide alkaloids,^[4] and is a food plant for the caterpillars of Monarch butterflies.^[5]

References

1. ^ Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses: Honeyvine Milkweed
2. ^ USDA, NRCS. 2011. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CYLA, 19 June 2011). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.
3. ^ Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses: Honeyvine Milkweed
4. ^ Burrows, G. E.; Tyrl, R. J., 2001. "Toxic plants of North America." Iowa State Univ Press, Ames. As referenced in the FDA Poisonous Plant Database
5. ^ Kansas Native Plants: Butterfly Gardening