This is a widespread herbaceous vine in southeastern states, most common on fertile base-rich soils. It forms taproots reportedly up to 2 m deep, plus numerous running lateral roots that can send up shoots from fragments in cultivated fields and gardens (Soteres & Murray 1982). There has been continuing uncertainty about the circumscription of a monophyletic Cynanchum, and about the generic assignment of laeve; however, "C. laeve will probably remain in Cynanchum sensu stricto, which is primarily Old World in distribution" (W). The plant's chemistry is presumably similar to that of A. syriaca and other common milkweeds, since larvae monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus L.) feeding on this species are able to develop (Yeargan & Allard 2005). However, growth rates of caterpillars on Cynanchum may be relatively slow, compared to caterpillars on Asclepias (Pocius et al. 2017). C. laeve does not generally have white milky latex as do most species of Asclepias (except perhaps in stem bases and roots).