Poke Milkweed Asclepias exaltata
Previously known as:
- Asclepias bicknellii
- Asclepias phytolaccoides
- Asclepias syriaca var. exaltata
- Phonetic Spelling
- as-KLEE-pee-as eks-al-TAH-tah
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Poke Milkweed is an herbaceous perennial wildflower plant in the dogbane (Apocynaceae) family, native to eastern Canada to north central and eastern United States, including North Carolina. Growing in moist woodland habitats, forest edges or openings, along waterways, and on slopes, it is most often found in the mountains. The Genus honors the Greek god of medicine, Asclepius (Asklepios); the species name comes from the Latin exaltata, meaning “lofty,” and refers to the plants being very tall. The leaves’ similarity to those of American Pokeweed is the source of the common name Poke Milkweed.
Requires moist, acid-to-neutral pH soil with high organic content in partial shade or dappled sunlight, to full sun. Propagate from seeds.
Grows best in naturalized plantings on woodland edges. Also consider including poke milkweed in butterfly, native, or pollinator gardens, as well as in borders. Umbels of drooping flowers give this species a unique look.
Milkweed is an important food source for Monarch butterfly caterpillars (Danaus plexippus). Its flowers are visited by many pollinators.
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:
- exaltata
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Historically, the root was eaten raw for stomach problems.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North America
- Distribution:
- CT, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV Canada: ON, QC
- 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.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 10 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- 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:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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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 smooth follicles forming upright 3- to 6-inch long pods filled with brown seeds attached to coma (white fluffy fiber) that facilitates wind dispersal
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Loose umbels, both terminal and upper axillary, have 10 to 25 small white flowers touched with green and lavender, each with 5 petals with reflexed light pink corollas. The corollas have light pink hoods with protruding horns. Each flower is on a long (.75 to 2 inches), drooping pedicel. Blooms in summer.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Green leaves with purplish veins are simple, entire, arranged oppositely and attached by short (approximately .5 inch) petioles. They are 2 to 11 inches long and 1 to 4 inches wide, ending in a pointed tip; smooth on top, but hairy underneath.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Plant stems are green, smooth or slightly hairy; umbel stems are purplish.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- 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
