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European swallow-wort
Scientific Name: Cynanchum rossicum
Family: Asclepiadaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Vine, Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
European Swallow-wort (Cynanchum rossicum)
European swallow-wort, also frequently called dog-strangling vine, is an invasive perennial vine belonging to the milkweed family. This plant is known for its aggressive growth and potential to displace native species.
Considerations for Pets
- This plant is a vine, which may present a risk of entanglement for small pets.
Scientific Classification
- Scientific Name: Cynanchum rossicum (Kleopow) Borhidi
- Synonyms: Vincetoxicum rossicum (Kleopov), Cynanchum medium, Vincetoxicum medium
- Family: Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family), formerly Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)
Common Names
- European swallow-wort
- Dog-strangling vine
- Pale swallow-wort
- Russian swallow-wort
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to northern and southwestern Europe, including Portugal, Spain, and the Ukraine.
- Introduced to North America.
- Thrives in a wide range of settings and is shade tolerant.
Ecological Impact
- Considered an invasive species in North America.
- Forms pure stands that suppress the establishment of other species.
Morphology and Growth Habits
- Herbaceous, twining, long-lived perennial vine.
- Vines can reach up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) or even 8 feet in length.
- Leaves are triangular and can be dark purple with microscopic hairs.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- In its native Europe, certain caterpillars, beetles, and diseases attack the plant.
- Studies show that female monarch butterflies will lay eggs on black swallow-wort.
Resources
- USDA PLANTS Database: CYRO8
- Invasive Plant Atlas
- Discover Life: Biology, natural history, ecology, identification and distribution of Cynanchum rossicum