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Aquatic Milkweed

Asclepias perennis

Other common name(s):

White Swamp Milkweed

Family:

Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Flatwoods, Southern Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Wetland

Height

1.5
to
2
ft.

Spread

0.5
to
1
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Rich, Moist, Mud

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium

Native Habitat

Wetland or Riparian

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Pink

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Pollen, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Bees

Maintenance

Low maintenance. Set up a pond or a water collection tank near a downspout to supplement water. Propagation: Seed.

Comments

Blooms May-September. Needs continuous water. This species can be easily identified before the flowers open because the tips of the corollas are pink creating a large pink spot at the apex of an unopened flower. The open flowers are white to pink. Opposite elliptic leaves. Purple stem. Could do well in rain gardens. All parts toxic. Pollination: Butterflies and bees. Larval host for Monarch butterflies.

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ASPE. 3) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Asclepias+perennis&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 4)http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=1418&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 5) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=30293#null

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State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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