Pale Swallow-wort

Pale Swallow-wort

Cynanchum rossicum or Vincetoxicum rossicum

Milkweed Family - Asclepiadaceae

An invasive species introduced from Europe in the last century. Grows as an erect plant (3 to 5 feet tall) or as a vine encircling and growing over native plants. Flowers, in loose clusters, are reddish purple with 5 petals that are twice as long as broad and without short hairs (contrast with the shorter, thicker and hairy blackish to dark purple petals of Black Swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum nigrum or louiseae)). Leaves opposite, entire and oval in shape with a short stalk. Photographed - late June at Ottawa

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