Vincetoxicum Wolf 1776
Latin: vinci = conquor + toxicum = poison.
Vincetoxicum is a group of perennial climbing leafy vines. In the absence of shrubby vegetation, the stems twine around each other forming a ropy mass. Leaves are opposite and heart-shaped to lanceolate. Umbels of green to purple flowers, with the scent of rotten fruit, arise from leaf nodes and are followed by pairs of dehiscent seed pods. As with other Asclepiadaceae the seeds have a silken parachute which assists dispersal by the wind.
Vincetoxicum is distributed throughout the tropical American continent, Europe (18 species) and Asia. There are no native North American species but some European species have become invasive weeds as far north as Canada. Vincetoxicum has been included in Sarcostemma and Cynanchium but is now recognised as a separate genus.
The toxic sap is supposedly an antidote to venom. Herbal preparations of some species are sold as immune-system stimulators.
Right: Vincetoxicum scandens, native to S. & E. Ukraine and S. Russia, is frost hardy, although the top growth dies down each Autumn. Flowers are of a sufficiently dark purple to appear black.
Several species in this genus are listed as invasive weeds and are best cultivated in pots with a climbing frame, where they can be kept under control. Ideally, seed pods should be picked before splitting and wind dispersal of seeds can occur.
|
|
Vincetoxicum scandens
Photo: © copyright R.J. Hodgkiss 2007
|
