Climbing Dogbane (Thyrsanthella difformis)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Gentianales>Apocynaceae>Thyrsanthella difformis (Walter) Pichon

	Climbing Dogbane is an uncommon deciduous low-growing woody vine of the eastern half of North Carolina, most common in moist habitats, such as here at Jordan Lake. Until recently known as Trachelospermum difforme (Walter) Gray, this species is not closely related to the Asian Trachelospermum species, so should be called Thyrsanthella difformis. Chatham Co., NC 9/20/08.
	The opposite leaves are similar to those of Carolina Jessamine, but slightly broader, not as thick, and have milky sap. See also Trumpet Honeysuckle and Japanese Honeysuckle. Chatham Co., NC 9/20/08.
	The reddish seed pods (technically, follicles) are very long and thin, about 1-2 mm thick and 10-20 cm long. Chatham Co., NC 9/20/08.
	The leaf form is extremely variable, hence the name difforme. The linear leaves in the foreground and the elliptic-ovate leaves in the background are from the same plant. Stems are reddish. Chatham Co., NC 9/20/08.
	Another example of the linear leaf form. The sap that exudes when you break a leaf is milky, as you would expect from a member of the dogbane family (Apocynaceae). Chatham Co., NC 9/20/08.

	This southeastern US native is the only representative of the genus Trachelospermum in the United States, though the high-climbing evergreen Trachelospermum jasminoides (Confederate Jasmine) is commonly planted. Chapel Hill, NC 5/31/04.
	Chapel Hill, NC 6/15/06.
	The 5-parted flowers are creamy-white with reflexed petals. Chapel Hill, NC 5/31/04.
	Chapel Hill, NC 6/15/06.
	Chatham Co., NC 9/20/08.