Lynn, Janice
Asclepias viridiflora Raf.
Green milkweed, Green comet milkweed, Green antelopehorn milkweed
Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)
Green milkweed is a
perennial from a vertical rootstock. Two foot tall stems are mostly
solitary or in pairs and bear are
opposite leaves up to four inches long. Leaves are variable in shape with plants from dry sites having long narrow leaves and those from moist sites having round leaves. 20-80 pale green flowers occur in two inch clusters in upper leaf axils. The pods of green milkweed are about four inches long and pointed at both ends. The pods lack the warts or tubercles found on other common milkweeds.
The specific epithet viridiflora means green-flowered in botanical Latin. Milkweed flowers have a special mechanism to trap insect legs and cause pollen masses to be pulled from the plant.
Image Gallery:
20 photo(s) available
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Green
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AL , AZ , AR , CO , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , MD , MI , MN , MS , MO , MT , NE , NJ , NM , NY , NC , ND , OH , OK , PA , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , WV , WI , WY , DC
Canada: AB ,
ON ,
SK USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Benefit
Warning: All plants in the
genus Asclepias are probably somewhat toxic, some fatally so, to both humans and animals. The
sap of some causes skin irritation in humans. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person’s age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable because of their curiosity and small size. Toxicity can vary in a plant according to season, the plant’s different parts, and its stage of growth; and plants can absorb toxic substances, such as herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants from the water, air, and soil.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
2012-06-26
