Common Invasive Plants | Black Swallow-wort
Black Swallow-wort
Cynanchum louiseae
Black Swallow-wort is a perennial trailing vine. It spreads through rhizomes and wind dispersal of seeds. It is tolerant of a wide range of moisture and light conditions. A threat to Monarch butterflies. If the female Monarch mistakes the plant for milkweed and deposits her eggs on its leaves, caterpillars cannot eat this plant and will perish.
How to Control
Pull or dig up large root masses, April to July. Bag and dispose of roots and seed pods.
Black Swallow-wort is a perennial trailing vine. It spreads through rhizomes and wind dispersal of seeds. It is tolerant of a wide range of moisture and light conditions. A threat to Monarch butterflies. If the female Monarch mistakes the plant for milkweed and deposits her eggs on its leaves, caterpillars cannot eat this plant and will perish.
How to Control
Pull or dig up large root masses, April to July. Bag and dispose of roots and seed pods.
