Fleshy Milkweed Asclepias humistrata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- as-KLEE-pee-as hew-mis-TRAH-tah
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Pinewoods milkweed is a perennial plant in the dogbane (Apocynaceae) family that is native to the southeastern USA including NC. It is found throughout the sandhills and sandy woodland edges from NC south to FL and west to LA. The plant grows from an erect to somewhat prostrate form and can be 1-3 feet tall with a similar spread. The Genus honors Asclepius (Asklepios), the Greek god of medicine; the species name is from the Latin humis (“ground”) and sternere (“to spread”), reflecting the plant’s sprawling growth.
Grow in sun in sandy, well-drained soil with acid to neutral pH. Will not tolerate salt spray or brackish water. Propagate from root cuttings or seeds, spring or fall.
Grows best in meadows or naturalized areas; also consider planting pinewood milkweed in drought tolerant, native gardens, but as a specimen plant because of its sprawling habit. Researchers have found this milkweed species is an important host for Monarch butterflies making the Atlantic migration. Milkweed is an important food source for Monarch butterfly caterpillars (Danaus plexippus).
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant insect or disease problems. Common milkweed pests (aphids, milkweed beetles, milkweed bugs. Monarch larvae, and milkweed tussock moth larvae may appear on the plants across the growing season.
- 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:
- humistrata
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- SE USA
- Distribution:
- AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC
- 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. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Prostrate
- 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:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Follicle
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits are 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:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Terminal or upper axillary umbels or of up to 30 or more small flowers with 5 pink/gray petals, with reflexed pink corollas, whitish hoods and horns. Blooms in spring and summer.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are evergreen, blue-green to purple, ovate, simple, opposite, clasping and sessile, with distinctive pink to purple veins.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Smooth, purplish, unbranched stems occur in clusters, with some lying nearly flat against the ground.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Predatory Insects
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- 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
