About Matelea parvifolia (Torr.) Woodson
Matelea parvifolia (Torr.) Woodson is a species of flowering plant in the Apocynaceae family, commonly called spearleaf. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it grows within deserts and along desert edges. This plant is a perennial herb with a branching, twining green stem. Its stem is sparsely lined with heart-shaped leaves that do not exceed 2 centimetres (3⁄4 in) in length. Flowers emerge from the leaf axils; they are purplish or brownish green, with a small nub at each inner corner of the corolla lobes. It produces a long follicle fruit that can reach up to 7 centimetres (2+3⁄4 in) long.
