Ampelamus albidus (honeyvine milkweed)

Identification tips

First of all the currently under the International Plant Names Index this specie is listed as Cynanchum laeve Pers. So I did the joke with the name Cynanchum laeve.

Tip #1: the more I study the etymology of plant names the more I find that the botanicals who named the plants definitely didn't like dogs, maybe they were "cat-lovers". The name Cynanchum in Greek translation means dog suffocating or something like that. Laeve means smooth.

Plant shape

2º Identification tip: this vine is perennial, the foliage has a heart shape and exudes a sap if crushed or cut. The plant reproduces by seeds and roots.

Leaves

3º Identification tip: the leaves are opposite and heart-shaped, large and dark green.

Stem

4º Identification tip: the stem is typical of vines, has no hair and usually has green coloration, and may have reddish coloration. When broken the stem releases milky sap.

Flowers

5º Identification tip: the flowers are white, have pleasant aroma and pot shape. The clustering in umbrella format into a set of many flowers. A very distinct feature of these flowers is the crown they have, an appendix located between the petals and stamens.

Seeds

6º Identification tip: seeds are quite characteristic of milkweed-like species. The seed has straw coloration and white hair that's an aid in its dispersion.

Fruits

7º Identification tip: the fruits are pointed, seem like an American football ball, are initially green and take the color straw and open releasing the seeds.

Roots

8º Identification tip: the roots is the characteristic that brings greater difficulty in controlling this species, requiring the use of systemic herbicide to effectively control the roots.

Seedlings - the terror of all

9º Identification tip: the cotyledons are well rounded, the first pair of true leaves already follows the pattern of the plant having a heart shape.

Seedling

Control

Extra references:

http://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/taxa/index.php?taxon=43448

https://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/weedguide/single_weed.php?id=71