Orthosia scoparia/ Cynanchum scoparium (Leafless Swallowwort one of the “Milkweed Vines”)

Description

This native twining vine is  a larval host of the Monarch, Queen and Soldier Butterflies. Contrary to the common name, it is quite leafy providing abundant caterpillar food.  Plant in sun or part shade. It thrives in high calcium soils. Native to SC, GA, FL, MS, Jamaica, Cuba, and the Bahamas. Very rare in SC.  We propagated our plants from a native population in Volusia Co. FL in early 2018. It has been growing well in the nursery. We look forward to trying it in butterfly gardens.