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Carolina Milkvine Matelea carolinensis

Previously known as:

  • Gonolobus carolinensis
  • Odontostephana carolinensis
  • Vincetoxicum carolinense
  • Vincetoxicum hirsutum
Phonetic Spelling
ma-TEL-ee-uh kair-oh-lin-EN-sis
Description

This native vine is in the dogbane family. They are herbaceous, twining vines with broad, opposite, ovate (often heart-shaped) leaves with maroon flowers.  In Central North Carolina these native perennials are often found in power lines, at the edge of woodlands, and climbing fences along roadways.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#maroon#brown#stream banks#NC native#twining#burgundy#heart-shaped leaves#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#maroon#brown#stream banks#NC native#twining#burgundy#heart-shaped leaves#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Matelea
    Species:
    carolinensis
    Family:
    Apocynaceae
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Maryland to Texas
    Distribution:
    Open deciduous woods, stream banks in SE USA, AL , AR , DC , DE , GA , KY , LA , MD , MS , NC , SC , TN , TX , VA
    Climbing Method:
    Twining
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Vine
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Climbing
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Cupped star-shaped 5 petaled flowers are a maroon purple-brown color clustered in groups of 5-10 on axillary cymes on long stalks.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Twining vine with milky sap; 2-4 in. heart-shaped short-hairy leaves acuminate, cordate with rounded basal sinus.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Riparian
    Slope/Bank
    Vertical Spaces
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Attracts:
    Butterflies