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Asclepias humistrata
Asclepias humistrata Walter
Pinewoods Milkweed, Sandhill Milkweed
Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: ASHU3
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
The smooth, stout, unbranched stems of this milkweed generally occur in spreading clusters which ascend 1-1 1/2 ft. The spreading habit; 5-10 pairs of broad, clasping leaves; tan-colored flowers buds; a nearly white crown; and erect fruits on drooping pedicels are the perennial’s prominent features. Leaves are distinctly purple-veined and the white flowers sometimes have a touch of lavender.
Humistrata means low growing or sprawling, a term that fits the prostrate growth form of this species with stems that are flat or nearly flat to the ground. Stems are purplish, a color that continues along the veins into the dull green leaves (Webref 20).
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Opposite
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Inflorescence: Umbel
Fruit Type: Follicle
Size Notes: Stems sprawling or ascending, up to about 18 inches long.
Leaf: Clasping. Stem and veins in the leaves are a pale purple. Leaf arrangement is opposite and attachment is sessile.
Flower: Color is pink to white. Corolla color generally a light pink compared to the hoods and horns that are cream to white. Flower size, approximately 3/16 in (5 mm) wide by 7/16 in (1 cm) long. 30 +/- flowers per umbel.
Fruit: Pods 3-5 in (7 1/2 - 12 3/4 cm) long. Stands erect. Seed Color Brown.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , PinkBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AL , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , SCNative Distribution: S.e. LA to FL, n. to NC
Native Habitat: Sand hills; dry, oak woods; pine barrens. Dry areas with sandy soils, often within or adjacent to relatively open forests.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, sandy soils.
Conditions Comments: Full sun to nearly full sun. This flower tolerates very hot, dry conditions.
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
Attracts: Butterflies
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesSpecial 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.
Propagation
Description: Root cuttings can be taken in fall or early spring. Seeds may be sown outside in late fall or the following spring. Germination of spring-planted seeds is enhanced by moist stratification.Seed Treatment: Stratify 3 months at 40 degrees.
Commercially Avail: yes
Research Literature
Reslit 568 - Identification and distribution of oviposition stimulants for monarch butterflies in hosts and nonhosts (1998) M. Haribal and J. A. A. RenwickReslit 762 - Spring remigration of the monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus (Lepidoptera : Nymphalidae) in north-central Florida: estimating population parameters using mark-recapture (1999) A. Knight, L. P. Brower and E. H. Williams
Reslit 1562 - Detrimental effects of latex and cardiac glycosides on survival and growth of first-instar monarch butterfly larvae Danaus plexippus feeding on the sandhill milkweed Asclepias humistrata (2001) M. P. Zalucki, L. P. Brower and A. Alonso
Reslit 1563 - Plant latex and first-instar monarch larval growth and survival on three North American milkweed species (1999) M. P. Zalucki and S. B. Malcolm
Reslit 1705 - Structure of humistratin: a novel cardenolide from the sandhill milkweed Asclepias humistrata (1982) S. Nishio, M. S. Blum, J. V. Silverton and R. J. H...
This information was provided by the Florida WIldflower Foundation.
Search More Titles in Research Literature
Additional resources
USDA: Find Asclepias humistrata in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Asclepias humistrata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Asclepias humistrata
Metadata
Record Modified: 2015-08-27Research By: TWC Staff