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Purple Milkweed Vine

Matelea biflora

Other common name(s):

Star Milkvine

Family:

Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Central Great Plains, Cross Timbers, Edwards Plateau, Texas Blackland Prairies
Broken Red Plains, Limestone Plains
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Eastern Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Vine

Height

3
to
6
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Calcareous, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Purple, Brown

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Flowers

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies

Maintenance

Low maintenance. Propagation: Scarifying seeds. Do this by gently rubbing the seeds with sandpaper or carefully nicking them with a knife. Soak the scarified seeds in warm water for 24 to 48 hours to soften them. Plant the seeds in a well-draining potting mix, covering them with a thin layer of soil. Maintain a consistent temperature of around 70 to 75°F (21 to 24°C) and provide indirect light. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Germination may take several weeks to a few months. Once the seedlings have grown large enough to handle, transplant them into individual pots or your desired garden location.

Comments

Blooms March-June. Common throughout the Central Texas in pastures, prairies and open ground; usually in chalky soil. This is a short trailing vine from 1 to 3 ft. Flowers are paired, five-petaled, star-shaped, and deep purplish-brown. Heart-shaped leaves are oppositely paired. Entire plant is hairy. Seed pods are oval with soft spines. Pollination: Attracts butterflies and bees. Larval host plant for the Monarch butterfly.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym(s): Gonolobus biflorus

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MABI6. 3) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=1493&locationType=County&mapType=Normal, 4) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=30367#null., 5) https://plantflowerseeds.com/products/matelea-biflora

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