Green Milkweed Asclepias viridis
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Green Milkweed:
Previously known as:
- Asclepiodora viridis
- Phonetic Spelling
- as-KLEE-pee-as VEER-ih-diss
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Green antelopehorn is an herbaceous perennial in the dogbane (Apocynaceae) family that is native to the central and east central United States. It is found in calcareous hammocks, dry woodlands, pine rocklands, and prairies. The Genus name honors Asclepius (Asklepios), the Greek god of medicine; the species name is Latin for “green,” referring to the flower color.
Requires a sunny, well-drained spot and prefers soil with a neutral pH. Propagate from seed.
Best in naturalized areas, meadow, prairie or drought-tolerant plantings; also consider green antelopehorn for butterfly, pollinator gardens, or in a border if there isn't too much competition from other plants.
Milkweed is an important food source for the Monarch butterfly caterpillar (Danaus plexippus).
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant disease problems. Most common milkweed pests (aphids, milkweed beetles, Monarch larvae, and milkweed tussock moth larvae) are not problematic, but both large and small milkweed bugs can be very damaging to seed pods.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Asclepias
- Species:
- viridis
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Midwest, South-central and southeastern USA
- Distribution:
- AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MO, MS, NE, OH, OK , SC, TN, TX, WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Nectar and larval host plant that attracts bees, butterflies (notably Monarchs), hummingbirds (milkweeds are a source of insects as well as nectar), moths (especially milkweed tussock moths and their larvae), pollinators, predatory Insects, and specialized bees.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Follicle
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits are slightly hairy follicles forming upright 3- to 6-inch long 2.5-inch wide pods filled with 50 to 100 brown seeds with attached coma (white fluffy fiber) that facilitates wind dispersal.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Terminal umbels 3 to 5 inches wide are comprised of 10 or more green flowers with 5 upright corolla lobes (petals), topped with purple hoods; horns absent. Bloom time is spring and summer.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are simple, alternate to sub-opposite, with sessile to short petiolate attachment, ovate to lanceolate shaped, white veins, 2.5 to 6 inches long and 1 to 7 inches wide. The leaf's undersides are lighter than the dark green upper surfaces with minute hairs.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Multiple stems growing from the plant's base are green to purple, sometimes hairy toward the tips.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Hummingbirds
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weakness, lethargy, and confusion if eaten in quantity. Milky sap can cause contact dermatitis and eye irritation.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Cardiac glycoside
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Stems
