honeyvine milkweed
Family
AsclepiadaceaeScientific Name
Ampelamus albidus
Other Common Names:
honeyvine
climbing milkweed
sandvine
Synonyms (former Scientific Names):
Cynanchum laeve
Gonolobus laevis
Ampelamus laevis
Habit
forb/herb, vine
Leaves
Opposite, entire, heart-shaped, 3-7 inches long, 1.5-5 inches wide. Leaves do not have hairs and occur on petioles that are 1-4 inches long. Leaf surfaces have conspicuous white veins that arise from a common point (palmate venation).
Identifying Characteristics
A perennial with slender, twining stems that may reach 10 ft in length. Found throughout the southeastern United States. Although the name implies a secretion of milky sap as in other milkweed species (Asclepias spp.), this does not occur in the leaves or stems of honeyvine milkweed. A perennial twining vine with opposite leaves and relatively large fruit (follicle). This weed is often incorrectly identified as a morningglory (Ipomoea spp.) or Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis). However, the prominent white veins distinguishes this weed from any of the morningglories, and the heart-shaped leaf distinguishes this weed from field bindweed
Flower Seed Head
Small (2-3 mm broad), white, numerous, and occur on flower stalks that arise between stems and leaves (axillary).
Seed Fruit
A smooth, angled follicle that is 3.5-5.5 inches long, 1-2.5 inches wide.
Where Found
Found throughout the southeastern United States.
Growth Habit
vine
Thorns or Spines
not present
Approximate Flower Diameter
pencil
Dominant Flower Color
Varies:
white,
yellow
Flower Symmetry
radial symmetery
Leaf Hairs
no hairs
Leaf Shape
Varies:
lance,
triangle
Leaf Arrangement
opposite
Leaf Margin
entire
Leaf Structure
simple
Leaf Stalk
longer than leaf
Stem Hairs
no hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Root Structure
Varies:
fibrous,
stolons present
Life Cycle
perennial
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Vine