Funastrum utahense
Utah vine milkweed
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Apocynaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Funastrum utahense (Utah vine milkweed) is a native California vine in the Apocynaceae family, recognized by thread-like leaves, yellow flowers, hood-like petal arrangement.
Utah vine milkweed is a California native perennial found in the Desert bioregion in open, dry, sandy or gravelly areas at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from April to September, this plant produces yellow to orange flowers that mature from pale yellow to deep orange. Growing with thin, green stems that are minutely hairy, especially at the nodes and dense-white-hairy at the base, it develops thread-like leaves 15 to 40 millimeters long that become reflexed with age. Its distinctive leaves are persistent or may drop, appearing almost wire-like and spreading in delicate patterns across its habitat. The plant typically produces a single fruit pod 4 to 6 centimeters long, characteristic of its milkweed family.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; key features are thread-like leaves, yellow flowers, hood-like petal arrangement
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, dry, sandy or gravelly areas
Elevation: < 1000 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, San Diego
Outside California: Utah, Arizona
Bloom period
Funastrum utahense blooms Apr-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
How to tell it apart
vs Asclepias: Funastrum has hollow tube-like appendages and small flowers; Asclepias has solid hoods forming a crown and showier flowers.; vs Cuscuta: Funastrum has green leaves and milky sap; Cuscuta is leafless orange thread with no chlorophyll.; vs Stephanomeria: Funastrum has small star-shaped milkweed flowers; Stephanomeria has dandelion-like composite flowers with strap-shaped petals.; vs Calystegia: Funastrum has small star flowers with complex centers; Calystegia has large trumpet-shaped morning-glory flowers.; vs Matelea: Both are trailing milkweed vines; check flower details or use range (Matelea extremely rare in California).
Frequently asked questions
Is Funastrum utahense native to California?
Yes. Funastrum utahense is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Funastrum utahense bloom?
Funastrum utahense blooms Apr-Sep.
Where in California does Funastrum utahense grow?
Funastrum utahense occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, San Diego, at elevations of < 1000 m.
What plant family does Funastrum utahense belong to?
Funastrum utahense is in the Apocynaceae family, genus Funastrum.
Is Funastrum utahense rare or endangered?
Funastrum utahense carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.