Asclepias perennis
(Swamp Milkweed)

Swamp milkweed (Asclepias perennis)
Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias perennis)

Common Names, Latin Name, and Family

Its common names include swamp milkweed and white milkweed. 

Sometimes it can be confusing because Asclepias incarnata is also called swamp milkweed, but it has pink flowers.  They grow in the same habitat and look similar until they flower.

Its Latin name is Asclepias perennis.

Asclepias perennis is in the Apocynaceae, or dogbane, family.

Form

Swamp milkweed is a perennial wildflower that grows to a height of about 2 feet.

Leaves

The leaves are opposite with entire margins. They are stalked and are elliptic to lanceolate in shape.  When broken the leaves exude a milky sap.

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias perennis)
Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias perennis)

Flowers

The white flowers appear in umbels at the end of the plant stalks. Flowering occurs in the spring, summer and fall.

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias perennis)
Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias perennis)

Habitat

Swamp milkweed grows in moist areas such as wet woods, stream banks, river banks, ditches, cypress swamps and wet ditches.

Native Range

In Florida it is found naturally occurring from the panhandle south to DeSoto County.

Asclepias perennis is native to the following states: AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MO, MS, SC, TN, and TX.

Landscape Use

In the home landscape it grows in full sun with average to moist soils.

It needs a good source of sunlight in order for it to produce flowers, and constant moisture to keep it thriving.

It can be grown in containers if given constant moisture.

asclepias perennis swamp milkweed in the landscape
swamp milkweed in the landscape

Wildlife Uses:

The flowers are a source of nectar for many insects including bees, beetles, butterflies, flies, and wasps.

The foliage, and seed pods, are larval food for the monarch, queen, and soldier butterflies.

Propagation

Can be grown easily from seed and transplanted when small. It can also be propagated by cuttings.

Check out my article about every native milkweed in Florida here!

It has every native species and a range map for each one.

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