Funastrum hirtellum – “Rambling Milkweed”

Also Known As: Hairy Milkweed, Smooth Twinevine, Trailing Townula
Other Botanical Names: Sarcostemma hirtellum, Philibertia hirtella
Family: Dogbane (Apocynaceae)
Bloom Period: Mar-May
Form: Perennial vine
Habitat: Hard desert pavement, washes
Leaves: Linear, silver-haired; opposite
Translation: “Funastrum” is from Greek “funis,” “rope” or “cord” and “astrum,” “Flower,” alluding to the twining stems; “hirtellum” is Latin for “rather hairy”; “Sarcostemma” is from Greek “sarkos,” “flesh,” and stemma, “crown” or “wreath,” which refers to the fleshy center portion of the flower (the “hooks,” see Notes); “Philibertia” is named for Jean Charles Philibert Legendre (1757-1821?), former advisor to Parliament, who published five works on botany.
Notes: The striking inflorescence has the distinctive “hooks and hoods” arrangement particular to Milkweeds. The hoods are the outer petals and the hooks are part of the center structure, which is made up of fused anthers. Vine is also photosynthetic, which is useful because leaves are few.