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Native Plant Society of Texas

Anglepod Milkvine

Gonolobus suberosus

Other common name(s):

Anglepod, Angularfruit Milkvine

Family:

Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Eastern Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland
Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Vine

Height

5
to
10
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Well Drained, Moist

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium

Native Habitat

Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Green, Purple, Brown

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies

Maintenance

Provide a fence or trellis to climb. Add to butterfly gardens. Typically, this plant reaches its full size within 1-2 years. This moderate growth rate makes it a rewarding addition to any garden, providing quick visual appeal and ecological benefits. Native habitat: moist woods and thickets. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Blooms April-October. Twining, hairy stems, climb using tendrils. Hairy leaves are heart-shaped. Star-shaped flowers bloom in clusters. The fruit is a sharp-edged angular pod. Larval host: Monarch and Queen butterflies.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Matelea gonocarpos, Gonolobus gonocarpos, Matelea suberosa, Matelea suberosus, Vincetoxicum gonocarpos, Vincetoxicum suberosum

References

1) https://itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=514193#null, 2) https://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=1486&locationType=County&mapType=Normal, 3) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Gonolobus+suberosus&formsubmit=Search+Terms, 4) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MAGO, 5) https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/gonolobus-suberosus/#:~:text=Anglepod%20Milkvine%20will%20grow%20in,Plant%20Problems:%20No%20significant%20problems., 6) https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=277055&isprofile=0&n=1, 7) Typically, this plant reaches its full size within 1-2 years. This moderate growth rate makes it a rewarding addition to any garden, providing quick visual appeal and ecological benefits.

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Stem Cutting Select a healthy stem, ideally one with a few leaf nodes. Aim for a length of 4-6 inches. Trim the cutting just below a leaf node and remove the lower leaves. This allows the cutting to focus energy on root development. Use a well-draining mix of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite, or simply moist perlite. Dip the cut end of the stem cutting in rooting hormone powder (optional). Plant the cutting in the rooting medium, ensuring the leaf nodes are above the soil line. Keep the rooting medium consistently moist. Place the pot in a warm, bright location out of direct sunlight. You should see roots developing within a few weeks. Once the roots are well established, you can transplant your new Gonolobus suberosus to a larger pot with well-draining soil. Use sterilized scissors or a sharp knife to prevent the spread of diseases. Takie a healthy section of stem, removing the lower leaves, and rooting it in a suitable substrate. The best time for stem cuttings is during the growing season, typically from spring to early summer. This is when the plant is actively growing and rooting hormones are present. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-gonolobus-suberosus/
Seed Scarification Start by soaking seed in water for 24 hours. This simple step helps kickstart the germination process. For the best results, maintain a temperature of 70°F (21°C) during germination. This warm environment encourages healthy sprouting and sets the stage for robust growth. https://greg.app/gonolobus-suberosus-overview/#:~:text=To%20propagate%20Gonolobus%20suberosus%20from,the%20stage%20for%20robust%20growth.

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason