Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Tuesday - March 31, 2015
From: Sarasota, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: General Botany, Wildflowers
Title: Is Common Milkweed a Succulent?
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
Is the common milkweed (butterfly plant) classified as a succulent?ANSWER:
Asclepias syriaca, the common milkweed is a different species from the beautiful butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) but they are closely related and in the Asclepiadaceae family.
Merriam-Webster says that a succulent (relating to plants) is one having fleshy tissues that conserve moisture. While there are some members of the Asclepiadaceae family that have storage organs to conserve moisture and are classified as succulents, the common milkweed and butterfly weed are not in this group. Take a look at the Succulent Plant Page under the Asclepiadaceae family for information about which plants in this family are classed as succulents.
From the Image Gallery
More Wildflowers Questions
Preparation for wildflower meadow at elementary school
August 04, 2007 - I am a Scout working on starting a wildflower meadow at an Elementary school. How should I prepare the ground and what types of seeds do well in zipcode area 76092? I would also like so add some nat...
view the full question and answer
Tidying up Copper Canyon Daisies in San Antonio
March 30, 2010 - We have a small bed with 4 copper canyon daisies. We cut them back in the fall but have not pruned them during growing season; as a result they become a big tangle by September. Should they be pruned ...
view the full question and answer
Creating a wildflower meadow
May 18, 2013 - I have an area 1-6 acres worth that is currently grass that I would like to overseed with wildflower seed. The local native plant nursery says that would be a waste. I don't really want to kill gra...
view the full question and answer
Viability and storage of bluebonnet seeds past "use by" date
April 26, 2006 - I have several packets of Bluebonnet seeds and wildflower seeds which have "packed for 2006 use by 3/07". My questions: 1) will these seeds be good for the 2007 growing season?; 2) how should I ...
view the full question and answer
Will native plants become invasive from Grapevine TX
February 23, 2013 - Main Question - I want to convert my front and back yards into a native plant sanctuary but worry about if these plants growing out of control/invasive and if neighbors will complain about these "wee...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |