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Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Asclepias purpurascens (Purple milkweed)
Vick, Albert F. W.

Asclepias purpurascens L.

Purple milkweed

Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)

USDA Symbol: ASPU2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

An oak-hickory savannah indicator species. The flower colour is deep magenta-red. The milky juice has been used to remove warts.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit:

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red

Distribution

USA: AR , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SD , TN , TX , VA , WI , WV
Canada: ON
Native Habitat: Savannah,Prairie/Meadow/Field
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry

Benefit

Warning: All parts poisonous. Toxic only in large quantities. Syptoms include, vomiting, stupor, weakness, spasms. Toxic Principle: Cardiac glycosides and resinoids. (Poisonous Plants of N.C. State)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees
Special Value to Bumble Bees
Special Value to Honey Bees
Supports Conservation Biological Control

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Natural Biodiversity - Johnstown, PA
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally
* The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Asclepias purpurascens in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Asclepias purpurascens in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Asclepias purpurascens

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-12-07
Research By: TWC Staff

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