This herbaceous, perennial vine is native to southern Canada, Maine into Florida to Texas to Minnesota and some other parts of the Great Plains. It is a very fast growing, twining vine growing along the ground or up upon other plants or various supports. If it were in my yard, I would treat it as a rampant weed that can easily tangle itself over other plants, but out in wild, natural places it is a normal, common plant. Its tiny green-white flowers with 5 tepals, of which 3 are winged, are pollinated by bees, wasps, flies, and some other insects. Some beneficial insects feed on its foliage. Its big seeds in green-white, winged, dry fruits are eaten by birds, rodents, and bears. Its alternate leaves to about 4 inches long are sort of heart-shaped and indented at the base. The slender twining stems are sort of reddish. It has slightly swollen nodes and short membraneous sheaths (ocreae) like other members of the Buckwheat Family. I don't know of any kind of nursery that ever sells this plant, and I don't recommend it. It is very common in its large range.

Reply to this comment