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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 verticillata (Whorled milkweed)
Smith, R.W.

Asclepias verticillata

Asclepias verticillata L.

Whorled Milkweed, Eastern Whorled Milkweed

Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: asve

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

Whorled milkweed is a single-stemmed, unbranched perennial, 1-3 ft. tall. The narrow, linear leaves are whorled along the stem. Small, greenish-white flowers occur in flat-topped clusters on the upper part of the stem.

Because of its toxicity to livestock, this plant is considered a weed in range areas.

 

From the Image Gallery

29 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Linear
Leaf Pubescence: Glabrous
Leaf Margin: Entire
Leaf Apex: Acute
Fruit Type: Follicle
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Flower: Flowers 2 mm
Fruit: 10 cm

Bloom Information

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

Distribution

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

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

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.

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

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.
Commercially Avail: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: FACU FACU FACU FACU FACU UPL FACU
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

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
Natural Biodiversity - Johnstown, PA
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2018-11-14
Research By: TWC Staff

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