What is it?
Swalloworts is on Michigan's Invasive Species watch list. It is a thin vine with tiny, star-shaped purple or pink flowers in spring. In the summer, long, thin seed pods hang from the vine. In the fall, the seed pods dry out and release flat, brown seeds on fluffy white parachutes like a dandelion.
Impacting Local Habitats
Swalloworts grows rapidly and can cover large areas. The roots of the plant are toxic to local mammals. Its leaves are toxic to insect larvae including monarch caterpillars.
Treatment
The best way to remove and prevent Swalloworts from spreading is with controlled herbicides OR by mowing it regularly.
