Matelea spp.

milkvine

Apocynaceae

Southern United States to tropical South America

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 6–10

Overview

Matelea spp. is a genus of roughly 200 twining vines in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae), placed in the milkweed subfamily and native to the warmer Americas. The stems are slender and twining, climbing 3–15 ft (1–4.5 m) through surrounding vegetation and exuding milky sap when cut. The paired leaves are usually heart-shaped, with a deep basal sinus. Star-shaped five-lobed flowers, roughly 0.25–0.75 in (6–20 mm) across, open in shades of maroon, brown, purple, and green; several species carry a faint carrion scent that draws flies and other small pollinators. Pollen is bundled into waxy packets called pollinia, typical of the milkweed group, and transferred whole between flowers. Fruit is a warty or winged follicle that splits to release flat seeds tipped with silky hairs, carried on the wind. Most species grow at woodland edges, in thickets, and on rocky slopes, dying back to perennial roots in cold winters. The milky sap contains cardenolide compounds and is bitter and mildly toxic if eaten. Several species have narrow ranges and are uncommon in the wild.

Native Range

Matelea spp. is native to the Americas, ranging from the southern United States through Mexico and Central America to tropical South America. The greatest diversity is in Mexico.

Suggested Uses

Grown on trellises, fences, and through shrubs in native and habitat gardens, mainly for the milkweed-family flowers and seed pods. Several species serve as larval or nectar plants for specialist insects. Rare species are kept in botanical and conservation collections.

How to Identify

Look for slender twining stems with milky sap and paired heart-shaped leaves with a deep notch at the base. The five-lobed star-shaped flowers are small and often maroon, brown, or green, sometimes with a carrion odor. Warty or winged follicles split to release wind-borne, silky-tufted seeds.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 15'

Width/Spread2' - 6'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~10 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering runs through late spring and summer, varying with species and climate. The small star-shaped flowers open in dark maroon, brown, purple, or green and are pollinated by flies and small insects drawn to their scent. Follicles develop afterward and release tufted seeds in late summer and autumn.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

maroon, brown, purple, or green

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Matelea spp. species grow in full sun to part shade on well-drained soils, climbing through shrubs, fences, or trellises by twining. They tolerate heat and short dry spells once the perennial root is established. Growth is moderate, and stems die back to the root in cold winters, returning in spring in temperate zones. Plants are intolerant of waterlogged ground, which rots the roots. Light, sandy or rocky soils suit most species. The milky sap is bitter and mildly toxic, so it is kept away from grazing animals and food.

Pruning

Stems are cut back to the base in late winter where the plant dies down, clearing dead growth before new shoots rise. Excess runners are trimmed through summer to keep climbers within bounds. Plants resprout readily from the perennial root after hard cutting.

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans

Vines

Matelea spp.

milkvine

Apocynaceae

Southern United States to tropical South America

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 6–10

Overview

Native Range

Matelea spp. is native to the Americas, ranging from the southern United States through Mexico and Central America to tropical South America. The greatest diversity is in Mexico.