Matelea obliqua (Climbing Milkweed)

$8.00

Out of stock

Size: 4-10’ tall (vine)

Sun: Full Sun to Part Shade

Soil: Dry-Moist, Alkaline 

Bloom Time: Summer

Deer Resistance: 4/5

Most people are familiar with at least one of the milkweeds—plants in the Asclepias genus. These plants serve as a host plant for the beloved monarch caterpillar, which was listed as “endangered” just a few years ago. But another closely-related genus, Matelea,  is also used as a host plant by the monarch!

Climbing milkweed is a smaller, herbaceous vine that dies back during winter. It gently wraps around plants or structures to grow to a height of 8-10’. Found naturally in open woodlands and forest edges, it can handle part sun to part shade and has a preference for calcareous soils—soils rich in calcium carbonate, like the limestone-based soils commonly found in Rockbridge County. It produces maroon flowers midsummer, which then form pods containing seeds like other milkweeds.

Due to habitat loss, climbing milkweed is listed as either vulnerable or endangered in the states within its native range. We were lucky enough to receive a single pod from a friend and are excited to be able to offer this rare plant.