Pale Swallowwort
Cynanchum rossicum |
Other common names:
Dog Strangling Vine, European Swallowwort, Russian Swallowwort

Other scientific names:
Cynanchum medium, Vincetoxicum medium, Vincetoxicum rossicum

Family:
Dogbane Family (Apocynaceae), (Milkweed Family (Asclepiadaceae))

Group:
Swallowworts

Distinctive features:
Opposite leaves on a vine, milkweed-like seed pods and seeds.

Similar species:
Black Swallowwort (Cynanchum louiseae)
White Swallowwort (Cynanchum vincetoxicum)

Flowers:
Summer; Green/Brown; 5 parts (petals); 5-petals, purple/brown, petals smooth, 1/4" wide, late spring & summer.

Leaves:
Opposite pairs, sometimes in a whorl, egg-shaped.

Height:
Vine, 2-6 feet long.

Stem:
Vine.

Fruit/Seeds:
In a pod closely resembling those of milkweed. but smaller.

Habitat:
Fields and Open Areas; Open areas, forest edges.

Native/Non-native:
Non-native

Status:
Common.

Notes:
Swallowworts are highly invasive alien plants, that will aggressively take over an area once they get a chance. Pull them up before they get a foothold.

Photographs:
68 photographs available, of which 13 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

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