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Dig Into Plants: Common Milkweed

Common Milkweed

Scientific Name: Asclepias syriaca

Native to Alabama: Yes

Other common milkweed species: Butterfly MilkweedSwamp MilkweedWhorled Milkweed

flickr – Tom Potterfield

Learn More About...

Basic Plant Information

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – Stephanie Brundage

  • I am a vascular plant with no woody stems above ground, so I am herbaceous.
  • I do not keep leaves year-round, so I am deciduous.
  • I die back in winter but regrow in spring for many seasons, so I am perennial.
  • I can grow 2 – 3 feet high and 0.75 – 1 feet wide.

Ecological Benefits

This plant provides food for:

Butterflies

Other Pollinators

Caterpillars

Native Bees

Hummingbirds

Other Plants Found in Alabama with Similar Ecological Benefits:

Butterfly Milkweed
(Asclepias incarnata)

Swamp Milkweed
(Asclepias incarnata)

Green Milkweed
(Asclepias viridis)

Pinewoods Milkweed
(Asclepias humistrata)

White Milkweed
(Asclepias variegata)

Eastern Whorled Milkweed
(Asclepias verticillata)

Swamp Forest Milkweed/
Aquatic Milkweed
(Asclepias perennis)

Tropical/
Scarlet Milkweed
(Asclepias curassavica)

Maintenance Notes

  • Dormant in winter.
  • Plant can spread aggressively.
  • Flowers can be cut for an indoor vase; Dried seed pods often used in flower arrangements.
  • Plant will likely get aphids which can be left on the plant for ladybugs to eat. If aphids become a problem, refer to our Tips to Control Aphids on Milkweed document.
  • When watering, hold hose to base of plant for a count of 5 seconds. Water should reach all roots.
  • Avoid sprinkling water on the leaves.
  • Requires average amount of water.

Average watering: water two times per week during the summer and once per week during the rest of the year.

Habitat Requirements

This plant prefers:

Full Sun
(6+ hours of sun per day)

Average Watering

Well-Drained, Sandy, Loamy, or Clay Soil

Leaf, Flower & Seed Identification

Minnesota Wildflowers – Katy Chayka

LEAF DESCRIPTION

Shape varies from oval to elliptical; slightly pointed at the tip; 4-4.75 inches long and 2-4 inches wide; Darker green on the top; Under side of the leaf is lighter green and slightly hairy; midrib is light pink or white; veins do not reach the edge of the leaf; hairy stem.

Leaf Characteristics Chart (PDF)

Shape:
Ovate/Elliptical

Margin:
Entire/Smooth

Arrangement:
Opposite

Form:
Simple

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – James L. Reveal

FLOWER DESCRIPTION

Clusters of more than 30 flowers each form rounded drooping domes up to 2 inches across; individual flowers are 0.5 inches across with 5 downward pointing petals and a 5 part crown

Flower Shape Chart (JPG)

Color:
Pinkish purple

Shape:
Stellate (star-shaped)

Bloom Months:
June – Aug

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – Julie Makin

SEED DESCRIPTION

Plant spreads by:
Seeds and Rhizomes/ Tubers/ Roots & Shoots
Silky-haired seeds are dispersed by wind; underground rhizomes spread and create new clumps of plants

Type:
Fruit -
Dry Seed Pod

Description:
Flat brown seeds with silky
attachments are contained in
bumpy green pods up to
5 inches long

Months in Seed:
Summer/Fall

Plant Life Cycle

Plant Life Cycle:

  • All plants start life as a seed.
  • The seed turns into a sprout when it grows roots.
  • The sprout becomes a seedling as grows a stem and leaves above the ground.
  • After the seedling becomes an adult plant it will grow flowers.
  • After the flowers finish blooming, each flower turns into a seed.
  • When the seeds fall down to the ground, the plant life cycle starts again.
  • Each seed can become a plant if it has the food, water and space that it needs to grow.

General Plant Life Cycle – Dreamstime

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS

Quick Fact Sheet
(Condensed Species Info)

Plant ID Sign (Text Only):
Ready as-is PDF

Plant ID Sign (With Picture):
Ready as-is PDF

QR Code
(Links to this Webpage)

Plant ID Sign (Text Only):
Editable Word Doc

Plant ID Sign (With Picture):
Editable Word Doc

INFORMATION SOURCES FOR THIS PLANT