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Orthosia scoparia (Nutt.)Liede & Meve
Leafless Swallowwort
Synonym(s): Cynanchum scoparium Nutt.
Florida native
Frequently found in hammocks, shell mounds, salt marshes, baygals, swamp margins and canal banks throughout much of the peninsula, plus Franklin and Gulf Counties. Also ranges into Georgia, South Carolina and Mississippi.
Leafless swallowwort is a twining vine with a woody (as opposed to corky) base. The narrowly linear leaves have obvious petioles 1-5mm (up to ~3/16 in.) long that are distinctly narrower than the stem while young and typically shaded by larger plants. As the vines grow out over the other vegetation and into the sun, the leaves drop off, so this vine is frequently seen living up to its common name. From 3 to 5 small yellow flowers arise from the leaf axils.
Orthosia scoparia is the exclusive larval host for the giant milkweed bug (Sephina gundlachii).
Orthosia scoparia is a member of the Apocynaceae - Dogbane family.
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants (Institute for Systemic Botany) profile for this species
iNaturalist profile for this species
USDA Plant Profile for this species
Date record last modified: Jan 20, 2025
