Urban Native

Twining milkweed (Sarcostemma cynanchoides), aka fringed twinevine, is a native plant in the Sonoran Desert, commonly found growing on trees and shrubs along washes. Urban development has been a boon to this hearty vine, providing ample habitat in the form of wire fences.

Twining milkweed is one of the most abundant native plants found in industrial areas, bringing life and beauty to some of the most thoroughly altered parts of the desert. Best of all, the vine establishes readily on its own and requires no irrigation.

In the fall, beautiful clusters of flowers appear, which are excellent nectar sources for many insect species, and especially for the closely related queen and monarch butterflies.