Funastrum Species, Climbing Milkweed Vine, Fringed Twinevine, Twine-Vine

An important reason for growing Fringed Twinevine is that it is used by Monarch caterpillars as a host plant.

Fairly common milkweed in Sierra County, NM. Highly attractive to some butterflies and bees. Most often I have seen it climbing on large ...Read Moreshrubs such as rhus microphylla and less often on old Yucca stalks.

Pros: Native plant with interesting seed pods. Attractive white flowers have five petals and appear in clusters. The opposite leaves are ...Read Morevariable and are narrow to broadly lanceolate, hastate, or heart-shaped. Attracts insects and butterflies.

Cons: Foul-smelling milky white sap (like severe body odor) makes removal a nasty chore. From the central root it sends long straight runners in every direction (sometimes 15’) until it finds something to twine on. Will twine through chain link fence or around small plants and pull them to the ground. Can form canopies on tops of shrubs. If it grows where you don’t want it, the large roots are nearly impossible to dig out entirely; will resprout from any small portion of root. It’s apparently impervious to herbicide. Parachuted seeds float on the wind long distances. This plant is not currently considered a noxious weed in my state, but I certainly consider it a noxious weed in my yard! A constant battle.

Another common name is Climbing Milkweed.