Native Plant Database

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Leaf Shape: Linear
Leaf Pubescence: Glabrous
Leaf Apex: Acute
Fruit Type: Follicle
Flower Size: 2 mm
Fruit Length: 10 cm

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Green
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: AL , AZ , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , MT , NE , NJ , NM , NY , NC , ND , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VT , VA , WV , WI , WY , DC
Canada: MB , ON , SK
Native Distribution: MA to MT, s. to FL & e. TX; also s. Canada
Native Habitat: Woodland
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Sandy, clayey or rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: Whorled milkweed is one of the more poisonous or the milkweeds to livestock. It is therefore considered a weed in range areas.

Benefit

Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: All parts. 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
Larval Host: Monarch

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Asclepias verticillata is a larval host and/or nectar source for:

Monarch (Danaus plexippus) Larval Host Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Description: Plant seeds outside in the fall. Seedlings will germinate immediately but may not flower until the second year.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

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PlantWise: Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants

Asclepias verticillata (Whorled milkweed) is a PlantWise native alternative for:

   Lotus corniculatus (bird's-foot trefoil)
   Potentilla recta (sulphur cinquefoil)
   Securigera varia (crownvetch)

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Question: I am a teacher in San Augustine, Texas (which is in the Eastern Pineywoods region). I have started an outdoor classroom/schoolyard habitat at our school. We are in the process of planning our plant selection and I am overwhelmed. I need to have several raised beds with themes but I am trying to stay native (for NWF and TPW certification) as well as please my administration by having a very pretty garden. I have several lists of native plants but I am struggling with knowing what will satisfy my requirements of type as well as my administrations requirements of beauty. My two largest beds will be the following (all beds will have purchased landscapers mix for soil and will be irrigated by drip lines): butterfly/hummingbird garden (20' x 40')(which I am going to try and get certified as a monarch waystation. (monarchwatch.org) east texas native bed (20' x 65') Any help that you could pass my way would be greatly appreciated.
click here to view the full question and answer

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery - Orefield, PA
Sunshine Farm & Gardens - Renick, WV
Enchanter's Garden - Hinton, WV

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX

Bibliography

Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, S.
* Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

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