Biology:Matelea reticulata
| Matelea reticulata | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Genus: | Matelea |
| Species: | M. reticulata
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| Binomial name | |
| Matelea reticulata (Engelm. ex A.Gray) Woodson
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Matelea reticulata, commonly called Pearl Milkweed Vine, Netted Milkvine, Green Milkweed Vine, Net Vein Milkvine,[1] is a species of flowering plant in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae). It is native North America, where it is endemic to the U.S. state of Texas.[2][3]
Description
Matelea reticulata is an herbaceous perennial vine that can reach up to 12 ft in length[2]. In the spring and summer it produces green-white, star-shaped flowers with a glistening "pearl" in the center[2]. It fruits from May through February, producing large, spiked seed pods which open to release seeds attached to soft, silky threads[2].
Habitat
Matelea reticulata is found in thickets on rocky hillsides[4]. It prefers dry, sandy or rocky soil[2].
Ecology
Matelea reticulata, like all milkweeds, is a larval host to Queen and Monarch butterflies. Milkweeds contain cardiac glycosides which the caterpillars and adult butterflies store in their bodies to deter vertebrate predators.[5][6]
References
- ↑ "Matelea reticulata". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=mare4.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Matelea reticulata Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Society
- ↑ "Matelea reticulata", County-level distribution map from the North American Plant Atlas (NAPA) (Biota of North America Program (BONAP)), 2014, http://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Matelea%20reticulata.png, retrieved 28 April 2018
- ↑ Diggs, George; Lipscomb, Barney; O'Kennon, Robert (1999). Flora of North Central Texas. Botanical Research Institute of Texas. p. 287. http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm.
- ↑ "Monarch Danaus plexippus (Linnaeus, 1758) | Butterflies and Moths of North America". https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Danaus-plexippus.
- ↑ "Queen Danaus gilippus (Cramer, 1776) | Butterflies and Moths of North America". https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Danaus-gilippus.
External links
Wikidata ☰ Q15366280 entry
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