Metastelma barbigerum
(Bearded Swallow-wort)
Metastelma barbigerum, Lake Corpus Christi State Park, Caldwell Co. 5643
Metastelma barbigerum, Lake Corpus Christi State Park, Caldwell Co. 5641
Metastelma barbigerum, Lake Corpus Christi State Park, Caldwell Co. 5657
Metastelma barbigerum, Lake Corpus Christi State Park, Caldwell Co. 5650
| Scientific Name | Metastelma barbigerum (Cynanchum barbigerum) | USDA PLANTS Symbol | MEBA4 |
| Common Name | Bearded Swallow-wort | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 517064 |
| Family | Apocynaceae (Dogbane) | SEINet Reference |
Click Here |
| Description | Habitat: Various soil types; scrub, grasslands, open woods, stream banks, edges of marshes, dunes and disturbed areas. Plant: Perennial vine with several wirey, much-branched stems from the base, intricately twining and climbing on neighboring plants and fences. Leaves: Opposite, linear, oblong, or lanceolate with pointed or rounded tips, 0.4 to 1.8 inches long and up to 0.7 inches wide (usually less); smooth, shiney upper surface and short hairs on the lower surface, mainly along the midrib. Inflorescence: Corymb with up to 5 small flowers on pedicels about 1/8-inch long; each flower less than 1/4-inch long with a white, bell-shaped corolla with 5 fuzzy, spreading, recurved lobes. Bloom Period: March to July. Fruit: Long-tapered, green, smooth capsule, 1 to 2+ inches long with remnants of the calyx at the tip. References: Flora of North America, "Vascular Plants of Williamson County" by A.C. Gibson and Cynanchum barbigerum in "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2024