Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) ah-SKLEE-pee-us syriaca |
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| Other Names | Asclepias syriaca (NGN) |
| Family | Apocynaceae |
| Teaser | Discover the allure of common milkweed, with its striking clusters of pinkish-purple flowers. Not only a stunning addition to the garden, but it also serves as a vital host for Monarch butterflies, creating a vibrant ecosystem right in your backyard! |
| Description |
Milkweed, (genus Asclepias), genus of about 140 species of herbaceous perennial flowering plants belonging to the dogbane family Apocynaceae (formerly in Asclepiadaceae). Milkweeds are found throughout North and South America, and several are cultivated as ornamentals. Many milkweed butterflies, including monarch butterflies, rely exclusively on milkweed plants as a food source for their larvae. These plants contain acrid milky juices that probably make the larvae and their subsequent stages distasteful to predators. |
| Highlights | Best known as a food source for butterflies, this Midwest native perennial is common in fields and open woods. Many butterflies enjoy the nectar, while monarch butterfly caterpillars eat the leaves. Flowers lead to seed pods which split open releasing silky-tailed seeds which are dispersed by the wind. |
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| Plant Data | |
| I am a... | Deciduous Perennial Upright |
| Mature Size | 24 - 48 inches tall. 9 - 12 inches wide. |
| Sun Exposure | Full Sun - Full Sun |
| Moisture Tolerance | Dry - Medium: Prefer dry to moist soil. |
| Zones | 3a - 9b |
| Tags | Attractive to Butterflies, Attractive to Hummingbirds, Attracts Bees, Attracts Beneficial Insects, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Pollinators, Border, Butterfly Garden, Container, Cottage Garden, Cut Flower, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Dried Flower, Drought Tolerant, Eclectic Garden, Erosion Control, Formal Garden, Fragrant, Fragrant Flowers, Good for Beginners, Good for Borders, Good for Butterfly Garden, Good for Cottage Garden, Good for Cut Flowers, Good for Mass Planting, Good for Rain Garden, Good for Rock Garden, Good for Rocky Soil, Illinois Native, Low Maintenance, Mass, Moist Soil, Most Popular, Native to North America, Naturalizing, Normal Soil, Pond, Poor Soil, Prairie Garden, Rabbit Resistant, Rain Garden, Rock Garden, Rocky Soil, Shallow Soil, Showy Flowers, Thornless, Thrillers, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Tolerant of Poor Soil, Tolerant of Shallow Soil, Well-Drained Soil, Woodland Garden |
| Bloom Period | June to August |
| Flower Color | Pink or Mauve or White |
| Foliage Color |
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| Animals That Use It |
Caterpillars: Larval Host: Nectar: Seeds: |
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Photos: Google Image Search & Flickr |
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