Most folks associate monarch (Danaus plexippus) and queen (Danaus gilippus) butterflies with milkweeds.Florida is home to 21 native milkweeds, Asclepias sp. and one weedy, non-native, tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica).
Like milkweed, white twinevine (Funastrum clausum) is a member of the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, is a larval host plant for monarch and queen butterflies, and is attractive to oleander aphids (Aphis nerii) …
You will find this twining succulent vine with opposite leaves growing in moist places at the Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area (ORCA) and along Oslo Road. Swamps, moist hammocks, coastal strands, and wetland edges are home to this vine. It grows in full sun or partial shade, reaching up to 30′ long. This vine can be somewhat aggressive, so it may require much maintenance in a home landscape, unless monarch and queen butterflies consume it.
Its flowers come in clusters (umbels) and are pollinated by bees and moths …
Its fruits are an erect follicle, a wand-like seed capsule. Each seed has a silken “parachute” attached to aid dispersal …
For moist places in sun or partial shade consider planting this vigorous vine and hope for maintenance help from monarch and queen butterflies.
Enjoy the Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area 