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FACT SHEET: BLACK SWALLOW-WORT

Black Swallow-wort 

Cynanchum louiseae Kartesz & Gandhi 

Milkweed family (Asclepiadaceae) 

NATIVE RANGE 

Europe (Italy, France, Portugal, and Spain) 

DESCRIPTION 

Black or Louis’ swallow-wort (previously Vincetoxicum nigrum and Cynanchum 

nigrum) is a perennial, twining herbaceous vine. The leaves are oval shaped 

with pointed tips, 3-4 in. long by 2-3 in. wide, and occur in pairs along the stem. 

The small five-petaled star shaped flowers are dark purple to almost black with 

white hairs, about 1⁄4 in. across, and are borne in clusters. The fruits are 

slender tapered pods, 2 to 3 in. long by about 1⁄4 in. wide, turning from green to 

light brown as they mature. Plants have rhizomes (underground stems) that 

sprout new plants and grow in clumps of several to many stems, forming 

extensive patches. 

NOTE: There are many native species of Cynanchum, including honeyvine 

(Cynanchum laeve) which occurs throughout the eastern U.S. and could be 

confused with black swallow-wort. Honeyvine has white flowers, and its leaves 

have a distinct heart-shaped base. 

ECOLOGICAL THREAT 

Black swallow-wort can form extensive patches that crowd out the native vegetation. Old field habitats of goldenrod and 

grasses can be replaced almost exclusively by swallow-wort, completely changing their physical structure. Impacts of the 

change in physical structure and insect communities on grassland and old field nesting birds is not yet known. A 

preliminary study of impacts on grassland birds in New York suggests that as coverage by a sister species of swallowwort (pale swallow-wort, Cynanchum rossicum) increases, grassland bird presence declines. The globally rare alvar 

ecosystems (limestone pavement barrens supporting unique plant communities), are threatened by many rapidly 

expanding swallow-wort populations in Jefferson County, New York. Black swallow-wort threatens to displace Jessop’s 

milk vetch, a federally listed plant, on the banks of the Connecticut River valley in central Vermont. Investigations into 

impacts on the monarch butterfly, which requires milkweeds for reproduction, indicate that the butterfly will cue into black 

swallow-wort and lay eggs, but the larvae do not survive. 

DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES 

Black swallow-wort has been reported to be invasive in natural areas in 

California, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, and Wisconsin. 

HABITAT IN THE UNITED STATES 

Black swallow-wort is associated exclusively with upland areas and is tolerant 

of a range of light and moisture conditions. It has been reported to occur above 

the high tide line of some rocky coastal areas where it can tolerate relatively 

high salt concentrations. Typical habitats include old fields, hedgerows, brushy 

areas, and the ground layer of woodlands. Both natural and human-caused 

disturbance including ice-scoured river banks, talus slopes, transportation 

corridors, quarries and abandoned agricultural fields provide acceptable habitats. Black swallow-wort has also been 

reported to be an intractable weed in gardens of New England. There does not appear to be a distinct lime or alkaline 

association, however, as it is also found in granitic systems. 
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BACKGROUND 

The first collection of black swallow-wort in North America was from 

Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts, in 1854. An 1864 Essex County 

collector recorded that it was "escaping from the botanic garden where it is 

a weed and promising to become naturalized." The fifth edition of Gray’s 

Manual of Botany reports black swallow-wort to be a weed escaping from 

gardens in the Cambridge Massachusetts area. 

BIOLOGY & SPREAD 

Black swallow-wort emerges in spring and flowers from June to July. The 

flowers are self-pollinating. Fruits are soon produced, turning from green to 

light brown as they mature. The number of pods is directly related to the 

level of light available. When ripe, the fruits open along a seam and 

release flattened seeds equipped with downy parachutes that aid in wind 

dispersal. Black swallow-wort spreads long distances by seed and Local 

spread and establishment is through clones arising vegetatively from 

rhizomes. Thick infestations in full sun can produce 2,000 seeds per square meter. The seeds are polyembryonic with one 

to four embryos per seed which greatly increases the likelihood of seed survival and establishment. Wind dispersal of 

seed begins in late July to early August in open areas and continues throughout late summer and fall. Populations 

growing under dense wooded canopy may have inadequate resources to produce flowers or seeds. Black swallow-wort 

dies back to the ground every winter. 

MANAGEMENT OPTIONS 

As with all invasive species, early detection and removal is the best approach for preventing the establishment and spread 

of this plant. If you find some black swallow-wort, look for more, and aim to remove all plants at a site. Stay out of patches 

that are actively dispersing seeds, unless you plan to collect and dispose of the seeds carefully. Clean all machinery that 

has traveled through swallow-wort patches that have maturing or dispersing pods. For large established infestations, 

chemical control is the most effective means. 

Biological 

There are no biological controls available for this plant. 

Chemical 

Two systemic herbicides - Garlon® 4 (triclopyr ester) and Roundup Pro® (glyphosate) – have been found to be effective 

in controlling pale swallow-wort. These herbicides should be applied when plants are actively growing, after flowering has 

begun. DO NOT SPRAY TOO SOON. Avoid the temptation to spray the plants as soon as they emerge in May. Only 

when the plants flower will they be large enough to receive enough spray on the exposed leaf surface to deliver a killing 

dose to the roots. Plants that are sprayed before pods form will probably not produce a viable seed crop that season. Be 

patient. Systemic herbicides do not cause a “burn down” of plants like contact herbicides do. Within 1-2 weeks the plants 

will look sick. There may be dead tissue spots on most leaves many yellowing leaves. Do not waste herbicide, money or 

effort by spraying plants twice. Sick plants cannot effectively absorb the herbicide through the leaf surface or move the 

herbicide to the roots. Swallow-wort control may take a few years and it is important not to use more herbicide than is 

necessary. 

Cut stem application 

For cut stem applications use a 50 to 100% solution of herbicide concentrate. Roundup Pro® is much more effective than 

Garlon® 4 for cut stem application. Apply the herbicide solution immediately to cut stem surfaces. As mentioned above 

with foliar applications, if treated plants have mature pods the seeds may ripen after treatment and disperse, leading to 

new infestations. If possible, cut plants low and bag and dispose of the portions with pods. 

Foliar application 

Experience shows that foliar sprays of systemic herbicides (i.e., herbicides absorbed into the plant and carried internally) 

only kill plants in the upper layers of the infestation, requiring repeated applications to effectively control the entire mass. It 

is important to treat plants before pods begin to form to ensure that viable seeds are not produced. If that is not possible, 

plants with pods should be cut or mowed first and then sprayed once they regrow. Regrowth will be rapid in summer. 

Herbicide application to the new growth should be conducted from August through early September. If mowing is not 

possible, for example in wooded areas, cut plants by hand just below the lowest pods, and spray the new growth. In 
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situations where foliar sprays are undesirable, for example when desirable native plants or other non-targets would be 

harmed, sponging the herbicide on individual plants, using the same concentration as foliar sprays is an option. 

Manual 

Remove pod-bearing plants from the site and destroy them. Eradication on a small scale must be very thorough and 

requires dedication. The complete root crown must be dug out before the seeds ripen. Plants bearing seeds should be 

burned or bagged and disposed of in a landfill. Infested land might be brought under control by plowing and planting an 

annual crop until the seed soil bank is depleted, possibly as long as five years. 

Mechanical 

Mowing, even several times a year, will not eradicate swallow-wort however, it can be employed to prevent a seed crop. 

Cutting is most effective at preventing a mature seed crop if done in early to mid-July, when there are small, immature 

pods on the plants. Cutting during the flowering period but before pod formation will allow plants to recover and still 

produce a viable seed crop. Monitor mowed areas and mow a second time if pods reach mature size in late summer or 

early fall. Hay cutters can contribute to the spread of swallow-wort if cutting is not timed correctly. Hay crops infested with

swallow-wort and then sold elsewhere can be a means of introducing swallow-wort to new areas. 

USE PESTICIDES WISELY: Always read the entire pesticide label carefully, follow all mixing and application instructions and wear all 

recommended personal protective gear and clothing. Contact your state department of agriculture for any additional pesticide use 

requirements, restrictions or recommendations. 

NOTICE: mention of pesticide products on this page does not constitute endorsement of any material.

RESTORATION 

Rehabilitation efforts will vary by habitat and age of infestation. Young infestations may have enough of the enduring seed 

bank and dormant plants of the displaced plant community to recover without active management. In degraded habitats, 

establishing cool season grasses will permit application of broad leaf herbicides to control swallow-wort plants recruited 

from the seed bank and from nearby infestations. Research on restoration of swallow-wort infested areas is on-going. 

CONTACTS 

For more information on the management of black swallow-wort, please contact: 

• Fran Lawlor, Swallow-wort Management Coordinator, Central and Western New York Chapter, The Nature 

Conservancy, 269 Ouderkirk Rd., Pulaski, NY 13142; (315) 387-3600, fax: (315) 387-3602, flawlor at tnc.org 

• Sandra Bonanno, Stewardship Ecologist, Central and Western New York Chapter, The Nature Conservancy, 269 

Ouderkirk Rd., Pulaski, NY 13142; (315) 387-3600, fax: (315) 387-3602, sbonanno at tnc.org 

SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVE PLANTS 

In the eastern U.S., the native honeyvine (Cynanchum laeve) can be substituted for the invasive black swallow-wort. 

Other attractive native vines that are widely available in the East include trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans), trumpet 

honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), Dutchman’s pipe (Aristolochia macrophylla), Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus 

quinquefolia) and native wisteria (Wisteria frutescens). Check with your state or local native plant society for more 

information on species native to your ecological region and for native plant sources. 

OTHER LINKS 

• http://www.invasive.org/search/action.cfm?q=Cynanchum%20louiseae 

• http://nbii-nin.ciesin.columbia.edu/ipane/icat/browse.do?specieId=5

AUTHOR 

Fran Lawlor, Central and Western New York Chapter, The Nature Conservancy, Pulaski, NY 

REVIEWERS 

Gerry Rising and Ann Rhoads 

EDITOR

Jil M. Swearingen, National Park Service, Washington, DC 
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Xeeds HoneXild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas 

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PHOTOGRAPHS 

Jennifer Forman Orth, Invasive Plants in Massachusetts (www.MassInvaders.com) 

REFERENCES 

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seed dispersability and seed quality. Am. Mid. Nat. 148: 263-270. 

Casagrande R. A. and Dacy, J. 2001. Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) oviposition on Black Swallowort 

(Vincetoxicum nigrum). Rhode Island Nat. Hist. Surv. 8: 2-3. 

Christensen, T. 1998. Swallow-worts, the ecology and control of Vincetoxicum spp. Wildflower: 21-25. 

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Plant Conservation Alliance®s Alien Plant Working Group 

Xeeds HoneXild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas 

http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/

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