Family: Apocynaceae
Compound: Ma pa
Synonyms: Gonolobus californicus, Gonolobus parvifolius
Geographic Origin: SW US, NW Mexico. Disjunct population in W TX
Characteristics: Numerous, herbaceous vines, covered with short, dense hairs on the stems.
Small, semi-succulent or leathery, arrow or heart shaped leaves are arranged oppositely on the
stems. covered in small hairs like the stems. The base is woody, and perennial. Typically forms a
dense, tangled mass of vines climbing up the trunk or stems of other nearby plants. Flowers are
small, purple-brown, purple/brown-green, succulent, and star-shaped, with white hairs
encircling a light colored center. Fruits are elongate with a bulge below the connection to the
stem, they may or may not have fleshy bumps on the surface. The fruits have purple, green,
pale pink and white striations running along them. When ripe, the fruit dries out and splits
open, revealing many small, brown, flat, and teardrop shaped seeds with white fluff attached
that catches the wind and dispearses them widely.
Natural History: Grows in canyons, hillsides or bajadas between 457-1372m (1,500-4,500ft) in
desert scrub habitat. It flowers from fall to spring or early summer. Above ground growth may
die back and regrow from the roots.
Cultivation Notes: There is little information about the propagation of this species available. It is
not typically sold at nurseries. Try collecting wild seed and spreading it on the surface of the soil
in a pot and watering frequently or directly in the ground during the rainy season. Prefers
partial sun, and needs something to climb up such as a trellis or tree/bush.
For general plant propagation information, click here
Ethnobotany: Unknown
Citations:
SEINET Arizona - New Mexico Chapter
https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/taxa/index.php?taxon=3794#
Southwest Desert Flora
https://southwestdesertflora.com/WebsiteFolders/All_Species/Asclepiadaceae/Matelea%20parvifolia,%20Spearleaf.html