Whorled Milkweed
Other Common Names: Eastern Whorled Milkweed Scientific Name: Asclepias verticillata Native to Alabama: Yes Other common milkweed species: Common Milkweed, Swamp Milkweed, Butterfly Milkweed |
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Ecological Benefits |
This plant provides food for: | |||
Butterflies | Caterpillars | Native Bees | Hummingbirds |
Monarch | |||
Other Pollinators | Other Birds | ||
Other Plants Found in Alabama with Similar Ecological Benefits: | |||||
Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) |
White Milkweed (Asclepias variegata) |
Green Milkweed (Asclepias viridis) |
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Pinewoods Milkweed (Asclepias humistrata) |
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) |
Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) |
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Swamp Forest Milkweed/ Aquatic Milkweed (Asclepias perennis) |
Tropical/Scarlet Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) |
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Maintenance Notes | ||
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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 Part Sun/ Shade |
Average Watering |
Well-drained, Sandy, Loamy, Clay, or Moist Soil | |
Leaf, Flower & Seed Identification | ||||
LEAF DESCRIPTION | ||||
Leaf Characteristics Chart (JPG) | ||||
Shape: Lanceolate |
Margin: Entire/Smooth |
Arrangement: Alternate |
Form: Simple |
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Description: | ||||
Leaves are 2-3 inches long and narrow, arranged in whorls of 3-6 along stem; attached directly to the stem (sessile); underside is whitish-green with short hairs |
FLOWER DESCRIPTION |
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Flower Shapes Chart (JPG) | ||||||
Color: Greenish-white |
Shape: Tubular |
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Bloom Months: May – Sep |
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Description: | ||||||
Flowers are small (up to ¼ inch long), fragrant, and 5-petaled; found in umbrella-shaped clusters of about 7-20 flowers | ||||||
SEED DESCRIPTION | |||
Type: Fruit – Dry Seed Pod |
Description: Fruit is smooth, narrow seed pod about 3-4 inches long and 0.5 inches wide; pod splits open when mature releasing flat, oval, brown seeds with long tufts of white hair |
Months in Seed: Late Summer – Early Fall |
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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 |
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS
Quick Fact Sheet (Condensed Species Info) |
QR Code (Links to this Webpage) |
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Plant ID Sign (Text Only): Ready as-is PDF |
Plant ID Sign (Text Only): Editable Word Doc |
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Plant ID Sign (With Picture): Ready as-is PDF |
Plant ID Sign (With Picture): Editable Word Doc |
INFORMATION SOURCES FOR THIS PLANT