Asclepias syriaca
Record ID:75Naming |
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|---|---|
| Botanical Name: | Asclepias syriaca |
| Common Names: | Butterfly Flower, Silkweed, Virginia Silk |
| Key Name: | Common Milkweed |
| Parts Used: | Leaves, flowers, seeds (for ecological use) |
| Sister Plants: | Asclepias incarnata, Asclepias tuberosa, Asclepias verticillata |
| Comments: | Native perennial vital for monarchs and pollinators; thrives in disturbed areas |
Characteristics |
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| Identifying Character: | Perennial herb (2-6 ft), erect stems with milky sap, broad oval leaves, pink-purple flower clusters, spiny seed pods |
| Stem: | Erect, 2-6 ft, green with milky sap, unbranched or slightly branched |
| Leaves: | Broad, oval, 4-8 inches, opposite, dark green with white veins |
| Flowers: | Pink-purple clusters, blooming June-August, rich in nectar |
| Fruit: | Spiny green pods (2-4 inches), releasing seeds with white floss |
| Taste: | Bitter (leaves), mild (flowers) |
| Odour: | Sweet, vanilla-like scent from flowers |
| Root: | Deep taproot, spreads via rhizomes |
| Image: |
Image URL: https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP.2RqI65bSzS50thPvbwo95QHaJ4%26pid%3DApi&f=1&ipt=cc4c4feddc80f9563c63dec8a96b57a30a505c83e0b92866faf183b9a725b4f8&ipo=images |
Distribution |
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| Distribution: | Eastern and Central North America, naturalized elsewhere |
| Cultivation: | Plant in full sun, well-drained soil; sow seeds in fall or spring after cold stratification (3-6 weeks at 5°C); space 18-24 inches apart; avoid transplanting established plants; water weekly until established, then only during drought; no fertilizers needed |
| Harvest: | Seeds: Fall when pods dry; Flowers: Summer |
Medical |
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| Therapeutic Action: | Not typically used medicinally, ornamental |
| Medical Uses: | Traditionally used for respiratory issues or as a mild laxative (use with caution); not a primary medicinal plant |
| Constituents: | Cardenolides, latex, flavonoids |
| Solvents: | Water, alcohol (tincture, rare) |
| Dosage: | Not applicable for general use |
| Administration: | N/A |
| Formulas: | |
| Contra Indications: | Toxic if ingested in large amounts; sap may irritate skin; avoid pesticides; consult expert |
| Preparation: | Cold stratify seeds in damp sand for 3-6 weeks at 5°C, then sow in pots or directly in soil; avoid overwatering |
| Chinese: | No documented use in Traditional Chinese Medicine |
| Veterinary: | Used for habitat support in livestock areas |
| Homeopathic: | No known homeopathic use documented |
Pollination and Pollinators |
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| Apis: | No |
| Pollinator: | 1 |
| Pollen: | Yes |
| Pollen Notes: | Pollinia attach to insects (bees, butterflies) for cross-pollination |
| Nectar: | Yes |
| Nectar Notes: | Nectar-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds; key for monarch support |
Other |
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| Non-Medical Uses: | Ornamental, habitat for monarchs, fiber from floss |
| Culinary Uses: | Young shoots and flower buds cooked; not widely eaten |
| History: | Used by Native Americans for food and fiber; promoted for monarch conservation since 1990s |
| Reference: | Plants For A Future; Monarch Joint Venture |
| URL: | https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Asclepias+syriaca |
| Share: | Private |