Honeyvine Milkweed in Grape Plantings
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Honeyvine milkweed (Cynanchum leave, syn Ampelamus albidus) is a vining weed with a large, perennial taproot, rapid growth rate, high seed production, and minimal treatable leaf surfaces. Leaves are 4 to 7 inches long and heart-shaped; they are paired and opposite each other along a tough, narrow vine with a milky sap. Green seedpods are 3 to 6 inches long and resemble other milkweed pods. This weed rapidly grows upward through grapevines, making it difficult to manage with postemergent herbicides. Honeyvine milkweed is difficult to control.
Honeyvine milkweed growing up a vine support and into grape canopy (see arrow).
(Photo: John Strang, University of Kentucky)
Honeyvine milkweed growth habit.
(Photo: John Strang, University of Kentucky)
Honeyvine milkweed growth habit.
(Theodore Webster, USDA-ARS, Bugwood.org)
Milkweed seed pod.
(Photo: John Strang, University of Kentucky)
Management:
- Apply pre-emergent herbicide.
- Apply post-emergent herbicide persistently and repeatedly after germination.
