Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias perennis)
Common Names
swamp milkweed and white milkweed
Latin Name
Asclepias perennis
Family
Asclepias perennis is 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.
Flowers
The white flowers appear in umbels at the end of the plant stalks. Flowering occurs in the spring, summer and fall.
Habitat
Swamp milkweed grows in moist areas such as wet woods, stream banks, river banks, ditches, cypress swamps and wet ditches.
Native Range
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.
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.