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Asclepias viridiflora
Asclepias viridiflora Raf.
Green Comet Milkweed, Green-flowered Milkweed, Green Milkweed, Wand Milkweed
Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)
Synonym(s): Acerates viridiflora, Acerates viridiflora var. ivesii, Acerates viridiflora var. linearis, Asclepias viridiflora var. lanceolata, Asclepias viridiflora var. linearis
USDA Symbol: ASVI
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Green Comet Milkweed is a perennial from a vertical rootstock. Two foot tall stems are mostly solitary or in pairs and bear opposite leaves up to four inches long. Leaves are variable in shape with plants from dry sites having long narrow leaves and those from moist sites having round leaves. 20-80 pale green flowers occur in two inch clusters in upper leaf axils. The pods of green milkweed are about four inches long and pointed at both ends. The pods lack the warts or tubercles found on other common milkweeds.
The specific epithet viridiflora means "green-flowered" in botanical Latin. Milkweed flowers have a special mechanism to trap insect legs and cause pollen masses to be pulled from the plant.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Arrangement: Opposite
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Lanceolate
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Leaf Margin: Entire
Leaf Apex: Acute
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Follicle
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall.
Flower: Flowers 7 mm
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Yellow , GreenBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , AZ , CO , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , ND , NE , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , WI , WV , WYCanada: AB , BC , MB , ON , SK
Native Distribution: Endangered in FL; Threatened in NY.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
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
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.
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Natural Biodiversity - Johnstown, PA
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
Wildflower Center Seed Bank
LBJWC-1788 Collected 2015-09-20 in Collin County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterLBJWC-1772 Collected 2015-08-31 in Williamson County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Bibliography
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, SallyBibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resources
USDA: Find Asclepias viridiflora in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Asclepias viridiflora in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Asclepias viridiflora
Metadata
Record Modified: 2019-11-28Research By: TWC Staff