More than 2200 species of the wild flora and fauna photographed in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico and the surrounding area.
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Gentians, Dogbanes, and Madders of Zihuatanejo
ORDER GENTIANALES
White Twinevine
Funastrum clausum
Flowers by Colour
-Vascular Plants (Phylum Tracheophyta)
-Flowering Plants (Subphylum Angiospermae)
-Gentians, Dogbanes, Madders, and Allies (Order Gentianales)
-Dogbane Family (Family Apocynaceae)
-Milkweeds (Subfamily Asclepiadoideae)
-Tribe Asclepiadeae
-Subtribe Oxypetalinae
-Genus Funastrum
-White Twinevine (Funastrum clausum)
Funastrum clausum is a slender, twining vine in the dogbane family Apocynaceae (subfamily Asclepiadoideae, the milkweeds). Native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, it commonly grows in thickets, forest edges, wetlands, and disturbed habitats, where it climbs over shrubs and other vegetation. After flowering, it produces elongated pods (follicles) that split open when mature to release numerous seeds, each attached to a tuft of silky hairs that allow them to disperse by wind.
Description
• Funastrum clausum, commonly known as white twinevine or sand vine, is a perennial climbing or trailing herb in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae), formerly placed in the milkweed family (Asclepiadaceae). It has slender, twining stems and opposite, narrow to lance-shaped leaves. Its small, star-shaped flowers are generally white to greenish-white, often with a darker central structure. The flowers develop into elongated seed pods containing numerous seeds with silky hairs that aid wind dispersal. Like many members of its family, the plant contains milky latex.
Range
• Funastrum clausum is native to the Americas, occurring from the southern United States through Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean into parts of South America. It is associated with tropical and subtropical regions and is native to Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, and the surrounding area.
Habitat
• White twinevine grows in warm, open habitats, including coastal scrub, sandy areas, grasslands, marsh margins, roadsides, and disturbed ground. Its slender stems twine over grasses, shrubs, and other vegetation for support. It can tolerate seasonal dry conditions but is also found in moist or periodically flooded habitats, depending on local conditions.