Vinatoxicum

Vinatoxicum

 

a genus of plants of the family As-clepiadaceae, often included in the genus Cynanchum. They are perennial herbs or low shrubs with climbing shoots and opposite leaves. The small, five-parted flowers are in small axillary, umbellate inflorescences. The fruit has two follicles, with seeds that have a pappus of long fibers. There are approximately 30 species, distributed in temperate regions of Eurasia. More than 25 species are found in the USSR, mainly in the southern European region and in the Caucasus, along steppe and stony slopes, shrub thickets, forest edges, and forests. The most widespread species is common vincetoxicum (Vinatoxicum hirundinaria or V. officinale), which is poisonous, particularly to sheep.