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Asclepias rubra
Asclepias rubra L.
Red Milkweed, Tall Pink Bog Milkweed
Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)
Synonym(s): Asclepias laurifolia
USDA Symbol: asru
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Herbaceous perennial with narrow, mostly glabrous stems 16" to 40" in height. Leaves opposite, ovate or lanceolate, 5-15 cm in length; sessile or nearly so. Inflorescences terminal and axillary from upper leaf nodes in many-flowered umbels. Flowers showy; color varies from lavender to pink to dull-red. Follicles 8-12cm long.
Endangered in MD; Extirpated in PA.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Opposite
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Lanceolate , Ovate
Leaf Pubescence: Glabrous
Leaf Margin: Entire
Leaf Apex: Acuminate , Acute
Leaf Base: Cordate , Rounded
Leaf Texture: Leathery
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Inflorescence: Axillary , Cyme , Terminal , Umbel
Fruit Type: Follicle
Size Notes: Up to about 40 inches in height.
Fruit: Follicle 8-12 cm in length.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , Pink , PurpleBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: Blooms late spring to summer.
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , DC , DE , FL , GA , LA , MD , MS , NC , NJ , NY , PA , SC , TX , VANative Distribution: NY south to FL, west to AR and TX.
Native Habitat: Bogs and marshy area in meadows and pine barrens.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: HighLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Drought Tolerance: Low
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Moist to wet acidic soils.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Useful for wetland gardens or landscapes with permanently moist soils.Use Wildlife: Larval food for Monarch butterfly.
Use Food: Poisonous.
Warning: All parts poisonous.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Monarch butterfly.
Nectar Source: 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.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | OBL | OBL | OBL | OBL |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Natural Biodiversity - Johnstown, PA
Bibliography
Bibref 293 - Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas (1979) Correll, D. S. & M. C. JohnstonSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resources
USDA: Find Asclepias rubra in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Asclepias rubra in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Asclepias rubra
Metadata
Record Modified: 2014-11-02Research By: Joseph A. Marcus