Honeyvine Milkweed, Climbing Milkweed

Cynanchum laeve (Michx.) Pers.

Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)

young shoots emerging from creeping roots in spring ▲▼

mature vine on fence ▲

axillary flower clusters ▲▼

flowers with immature fruit ▲

mature fruit pods ▲

Honeyvine Milkweed: (page 58-59 in Weeds of the Great Plains, not in Weeds of the Northeast)

o   a creeping perennial, twining vine that climbs by wrapping around objects

o   leaves opposite, elongated, heart-shaped—leaves appear similar to hedge bindweed and field bindweed, but milkweeds have opposite leaves, bindweeds have alternate leaves

o   flowers are white clusters in axils of leaves—sometimes fragrant

o   fruit is a large, smooth textured pod—similar to common milkweed, but smoother

o   found in cultivated fields, urban areas, gardens, landscapes

o   grows in most soil types—prefers more calcareous (limey) soils