Kathy,
 
          Although I can't find a direct reference to it, most members of the Milkweed Family have a milky sap. The only exception I know of is Butterfly Weed. In addition to Cynanchum laeve, at least one species of Anglepod is found in WV (recently found at Harper's Ferry), Matelea obliqua. I know the Flora of WV says its another species but as far as I can tell it's not. Anglepods also have large heart shape leaves. The pods of the two are similar to the Common Milkweed. The Anglepod species in WV even has the soft prickles (muricate). The Sand Vine, Cynanchum laeve, does not, the pods are smooth.
 
                                                            Joe

 

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To: WorthleyBotany@yahoogroups.com
From: kathy@...
Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2007 11:08:14 -0400
Subject: [WorthleyBotany] any other vine similar to Cynanchum laeve?

Hi -

Someone in Harpers Ferry has a vine growing on her property that she asked
me about. The leaves looked to me like those of Cynanchum laeve. I
didn't see any sign of flowers. What I'm wondering is whether anyone
knows of other opposite-leaved vines with a similar leaf that might be
another possibility ? The WV flora does say it's found along the
Shenandoah River in Jefferson County. (She's way up on the hill.)

There's an image of a piece of the vine at:

http://www.potomacaudubon.org/wbc/janetsvine.jpg

--Kathy

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