Black swallow-wort
(Vincetoxicum nigrum)
General description:
Herbaceous, perennial vine that twines 3-6’ tall with small hairs on the stems and seed pods similar to milkweed. Plants spread vegetatively and reproductively.
Ecological threat:
- Invades the understory of forests, woodland edges, grasslands, and old fields covering native vegetation and forming dense thickets. Tolerant of sun and shade.
- Black swallow-wort is shown to reduce monarch butterfly populations
- Grassland bird presence greatly decreases as infestations expand.
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