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Cressler, Alan

Asclepias purpurascens

Asclepias purpurascens L.

Purple Milkweed

Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: ASPU2

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

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

Endangered in MA and WI; no extant populations in RI (Webref 20).

From the Image Gallery

14 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Shape: Elliptic , Oblong
Inflorescence: Umbel
Fruit Type: Follicle

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Purple
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul

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: Savanna,Prairie/Meadow/Field

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.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACU				FACU	FACU		FACU	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
Natural Biodiversity - Johnstown, PA
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Bibliography

Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally
Bibref 1294 - 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

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: 2015-06-18
Research By: TWC Staff

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