Common Milkweed

(Asclepias syriaca)

Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

peganum

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Copyright Notice: Photo by: peganum | License Type: CC BY-SA 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ | Uploader: peganum | Publisher: Flickr

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Asclepias syriaca, commonly known as Common Milkweed, is a deciduous perennial herb native to open woodlands, prairies, and fields throughout the Eastern United States and Southeast Canada. It can grow up to 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) tall and spreads via rhizomes. The plant exudes a white latex when cut. Common Milkweed is characterized by its spherical clusters of fragrant flowers that range in color from white (rarely) to pinkish and purplish, blooming from late spring to midsummer. The flowers are intricate, with each one featuring five curved hoods and five pollinia. The plant produces large seed pods, with seeds attached to long, white, flossy hairs, aiding in wind dispersal. However, fruit production from self-fertilization is uncommon.

Common Milkweed is valued for its role as a host plant for monarch butterflies and as a source of nectar for a variety of pollinators. It is often used in naturalized plantings, butterfly gardens, and as part of conservation efforts to support wildlife. In cultivation, it requires full sun and can tolerate a range of soil conditions, from moist to dry, including clay soils. While it is winter hardy in USDA zones 3–9, gardeners should be aware that it can spread aggressively and may not be suitable for small gardens. It is easily propagated by seed, which requires cold stratification, or by rhizome cuttings. Potential problems include susceptibility to aphids and the possibility of becoming invasive outside its native range, so caution is advised when planting in non-native areas.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb
Height: 2-3 feet
Width: 0.8-1 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: Pink, White
Flowering Season: Summer
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun
Water: Low, Medium
Drainage: Slow, Medium

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Erosion Control, Fragrant, Hummingbird Garden, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Native to open woodlands, prairies, and fields throughout the Eastern United States and Southeast Canada

Other Names

Common Names: Butterfly Flower, Silkweed, Silky Milkweed, Virginia Silkweed, Silky Swallow-Wort, Syrische Seidenpflanze, Seidenpflanze, Gewöhnliche Seidenpflanze, Algodoncillo, Asclepias

Scientific Names: , Asclepias syriaca, Asclepias cornuti, Asclepias syriaca f. leucantha, Asclepias syriaca var. kansana, Asclepias intermedia, Asclepias kansana, Asclepias obtusifolia, Asclepias syriaca f. inermis, Asclepias syriaca f. syriaca

GBIF Accepted Name: Asclepias syriaca L.