Clasping Milkweed Asclepias amplexicaulis
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- as-KLEE-pee-as am-pleks-ih-KAW-liss
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- 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)
- 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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Pink
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Green to pinkish smooth stem
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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
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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
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
