Dog-strangling vine or DSV is a herbaceous vine that is part of the milkweed family.  The vine is native to Europe and first arrived in Ontario during the late 1800’s by accident. Dog-strangling Vine invades southern Ontario’s natural areas by forming dense intertwining mats on forest floors. Young-to mid-aged forests with closed canopies, semi-open successional communities and plantations are its preferred habitats.

It is also shown to have allelopathic and phytotoxicity properties which reduce root length and germination in a variety of ground cover indicator species providing an explanation for its dominance on forest floors in invaded communities. DSV also poses a threat to monarch butterfly populations because the butterflies will unknowingly lay their eggs on the leaves of the DSV which are not edible for the monarch caterpillars so they perish before they can develop into adults. The rapid spread and dominance of this species is of great concern in the Greater Toronto Area and is listed as a noxious weed under the Weed Control Act.