Swamp Butterfly Weed Asclepias incarnata
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Acerates incarnata
- Phonetic Spelling
- as-KLEE-pee-as in-kar-NAH-tuh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Swamp milkweed is an herbaceous perennial in the Apocynaceae (dogbane) family. Apocynum is the Greek term for “dog-away.” It is native to the central and eastern United States and tends to grow in wet sites along streams, ponds, or bogs.
Plant swamp milkweed in full sun to partial shade in soils with neutral to acidic pH. It is native to wet sites but adapts to drier sites in moist clay or loam soils.
The attractive pink to rose-purple flowers mature in mid-spring and last into early fall. The seed pods split open to release seeds that float on the wind. Milkweed is an important food source for Monarch butterfly caterpillars (Danaus plexippus), and the flowers are visited by many pollinators. It is resistant to browsing by deer.
Use as an accent or border in a meadow, native, or pollinator garden. It will be at home in a naturalized area or along a pond or stream where it can grow up to 5 feet tall and spread 2 to 3 feet wide.
This plant was selected as the 2005 NC Wildflower of the Year, a program managed by the North Carolina Botanical Garden with some financial support from the Garden Club of North Carolina.
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 landscapes:
- Vegetable, Herb and Mostly Native Pollinator Garden Native Plant Demonstration Garden All Saints' Episcopal Church
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- var. pulchra
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- var. pulchra
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Asclepias
- Species:
- incarnata
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central & E. Canada to W. Central & E. U.S.A.
- Distribution:
- Northeastern and southeastern United States
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant provides nectar for pollinators including Monarch (Danaus plexippus) butterflies. It is the larval host plant for Monarch (Danaus plexippus) larvae. Its flowers are attractive to pollinators. Deer tolerant.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 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
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Cream/Tan
- White
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Follicle
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- 3-4-inch long follicle seed pods split on one side to release seeds with tufts of hair that float on the wind. They are green and mature to brown.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Crown
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Individual flowers are ΒΌ" across, consisting of 5 white upright crowns and 5 surrounding pink to mauve petals that droop downward. Blooms in clusters called umbrels on terminal stems. Flower blooms from July to September.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate green leaves are 3-6 inches long .5 to 1.5 inches wide with pointed apex and entire margins. They are either sessile or clasping.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Polished
- Stem Description:
- Stems exude a toxic milky sap when cut.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Meadow
- Near Septic
- Pond
- Pool/Hardscape
- Riparian
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- 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 glycosides and resinoids
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems
