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Asclepias amplexicaulis is often confused with:
Asclepias viridiflora
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Asclepias incarnata subsp. pulchra Flowers
Asclepias purpurascens Leaves, buds, flower
Rhododendron arborescens Rhododendron arborescens
Asclepias amplexicaulis has some common insect problems:
Milkweed Bug
Aphids on Ornamental Landscape Plants

Asclepias amplexicaulis

Phonetic Spelling
as-KLEE-pee-as am-pleks-ih-KAW-liss
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Clasping milkweed is a native perennial wildflower in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae) native to eastern United States and found commonly in sandhills or dry woodland areas.  It gets its common name because the base of the oppositely arranged leaves wraps around or "clasps" the stem.  This is a fairly rare milkweed and is protected in some states.

The plant grows 1 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide on a single unbranched stem, but may also be found sprawling on the ground. It prefers sandy to rocky soils in full sun to partial shade. Propagation is by seed.

In summer, the upper stem is topped by a cluster of pinkish-purple and green flowers, followed by a seed pod that splits to reveal tufted seeds. It can be identified by its opposite, clasping leaves with wavy edges and a single flower cluster. Stems will ooze a milky latex sap when broken which can cause an allergic reaction in some.

Seeds for this plant may be difficult to find but if you have a sandy place to plant clasping milkweed it could be used in a pollinator garden border. It may be best to leave them in the wild.

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:
Tags:
#fragrant flowers#native perennial#waxy#NC native#Monarch butterfly#wind dispersed seeds#native wildflower#larval host plant#food source summer#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#Audubon#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant flowers#native perennial#waxy#NC native#Monarch butterfly#wind dispersed seeds#native wildflower#larval host plant#food source summer#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#Audubon#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Asclepias
    Species:
    amplexicaulis
    Family:
    Apocynaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern U.S.A.
    Distribution:
    AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
    Wildlife Value:
    A larval host plant for the monarch butterfly.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Very Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Cream/Tan
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Follicle
    Fruit Description:
    Follicle displays from June to August an erect brown spindle-shaped pod that splits open to reveal brown tuffted seeds that are wind dispersed.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    A solitary rounded terminal cluster of 15 to 80 dark or light pink flowers with cream or green. Flowers arise from a 1" stalk and are 5/8" with 5 extremely recurved pinkish-green petals with pinkish to purple upright coronas. Bloom occurs from May to July and has a rose or clove scent.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Waxy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Undulate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Sessile (stalkless) simple, waxy opposite leaves 3"-5" long and 2" wide with a pink to white midrib. Leaf blades are oval shape, have wavy margins, and a blunt tip with a small sharp point at the very top.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Pink
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Green to pinkish smooth stem
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Dry Soil
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • 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
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems