What is Asclepias incarnata?
Asclepias incarnata, the swamp milkweed, rose milkweed, rose milkflower, swamp silkweed, or white Indian hemp, is a herbaceous perennial plant species native to North America. It grows in damp through wet soils and also is cultivated as a garden plant for its flowers, which attract butterflies and other pollinators with nectar.
Is Asclepias incarnata poisonous to butterflies?
Asclepias incarnata. It grows in damp to wet soils and also is cultivated as a garden plant for its flowers, which attract butterflies and other pollinators with nectar. Like most other milkweeds, it has sap containing toxic chemicals, a characteristic that repels insects and other herbivorous animals.
How invasive is milkweed?
The invasiveness of any plant depends on the characteristics of the species and where it is planted. Some species of milkweed, like common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), have a tendency to be more aggressive in garden settings or disturbed areas, and thus have a reputation of being “weedy”.
Where do you plant Asclepias?
Use in a naturalized area, pollinator garden or along a pond or stream in full sun to partial shade. (2) "Asclepias incarnata". St. Louis, Missouri: Missouri Botanical Garden. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021.
Does swamp milkweed spread?
Swamp milkweed spreads through rhizomes; established plants can be divided in late spring. Swamp milkweed is a relatively long-lived (and slow-growing) herbaceous perennial.
Which milkweed is least invasive?
Swamp milkweed is not invasive as some other milkweeds are and behaves well in the garden.
Is Ice Ballet milkweed invasive?
Perennial. A nursery selection of a swamp milkweed with evergreen colored foliage and bright white vanilla scented flowers. This is a non invasive perennial and an excellent attraction for beneficial insects and butterflies!
How do you stop milkweed from spreading?
If you already have common milkweed in the garden, you can prevent further spread by removing immature seed pods. Since milkweed is a perennial, it will emerge again in the same spot next summer, but its spread will be more limited.
Where should you not plant milkweed?
It is not recommended to plant milkweed within 10 miles of the coast in central and northern California where milkweed did not occur historically. Instead, plant a variety of flowers native to your region that provide nectar from early spring through fall to support monarchs and other pollinators.
Will milkweed take over my garden?
The common milkweed is very aggressive and can take over your butterfly garden very quickly. Luckily, there are several less aggressive alternatives that serve butterflies and pollinators. The key is to match the milkweed plant to your garden's conditions.
Which milkweed is invasive?
Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is the source of the plant's bad reputation—it's quite invasive.
Which milkweed do monarchs prefer?
Female monarchs will lay eggs on all nine milkweed species, but they prefer some over others. Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) and common milkweed (A. syriaca) averaged the highest number of eggs.
Is white milkweed invasive?
Myth #1: Milkweed is an invasive weed Milkweed is a beneficial wildflower. It may have “weed” in the name, but there are over 100 species of milkweed native to the United States and none of them are considered “noxious weeds”.
Why is milkweed a problem?
Tropical milkweed becomes a problem when planted in temperate areas where it does not die back in winter. A protozoan parasite of monarch butterflies, Ophryocystis elektroscirrha or OE for short, can travel with monarchs visiting the plants and become deposited on leaves.
Where is the best place to plant milkweed plants?
Best growing practices suggest milkweeds be planted in the sunniest parts of your yard or garden. If you have a choice of soil, most milkweed species thrive in light, well-drained soils with seeds planted a quarter-inch deep.
Should I plant common milkweed in my garden?
If you want monarch butterflies to visit your garden this fall and spring, planting milkweed in your landscape is a must! Not only is milkweed a great nectar source for thirsty pollinators, it is also THE ONLY host plant that monarch butterflies lay their eggs upon.
Which milkweed do monarchs prefer?
Female monarchs will lay eggs on all nine milkweed species, but they prefer some over others. Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) and common milkweed (A. syriaca) averaged the highest number of eggs.
What type of milkweed is invasive?
Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is the source of the plant's bad reputation—it's quite invasive.
What's the difference between swamp milkweed and common milkweed?
Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) Unlike common milkweed, the central stem may branch. Leaves can be up to 15cm in length (but are often shorter), are much narrower (1-4cm width) than common milkweed, and taper to a sharper point. Stems and leaves release a milky-white sap when broken.
What's wrong with tropical milkweed?
Tropical milkweed becomes a problem when planted in temperate areas where it does not die back in winter. A protozoan parasite of monarch butterflies, Ophryocystis elektroscirrha or OE for short, can travel with monarchs visiting the plants and become deposited on leaves.
Where does Asclepias incarnata grow?
It grows in damp through wet soils and also is cultivated as a garden plant for its flowers, which attract butterflies and other pollinators with nectar.
What is incarnata used for?
A. incarnata is cultivated frequently, and a number of cultivars are available. They are used especially in gardens designed to attract butterflies (see Butterfly gardening ). The nectar of the plant attracts many other species of insect as well. The plants are also sold as freshly cut flowers, mostly for their long-lasting flower display, but sometimes, for the distinctive follicles.
How long do incarnata plants live?
Although A. incarnata plants can survive for up to 20 years, most live only two-fi ve years in gardens. The species is not shade-tolerant and is not a good vegetative competitor.
How tall is swamp milkweed?
Description. Swamp milkweed is an upright, 100 to 150 cm (39 to 59 in) tall plant, growing from thick, fleshy, white roots. Typically, its stems are branched and the clump forming plants emerge in late spring after most other plants have begun growth for the year. The oppositely arranged leaves are 7.5 to 15 cm (3 to 6 in) long and 1 to 4 cm ...
Is Pulchra pubescent or glabrous?
The flower stalks and abaxial leaf surfaces of subspecies pulchra are abundantly pubescent, whereas those of the autonymous subspecies are nearly glabrous.
Why is swamp milkweed called swamp milkweed?
A. incarnata is commonly referred to as swamp milkweed because of its association with highly saturated soils in wetlands or areas that are flooded seasonally. Plants usually have a taproot with the root crown producing one to six or more stems each growing season. The flowers, which are said to give off a scent similar ...
Is swamp milkweed self compatible?
Swamp milkweed is self-compatible which contrasts with the self-incompatibility of other studied milkweeds. Fun Fact: In the past, the roots of swamp milkweed were simmered to make a tea taken in small quantities both as a general purge and to destroy and expel parasitic worms.
Where do asclepias grow?
Learn How To Plant, Care and Grow Splendid Asclepias. Mostly native to the U.S. and Canada, Asclepias include over 100 species of evergreen or deciduous perennials adorned with clusters of small, interestingly shaped blooms that are irresistible to butterflies.
Why do monarch butterflies need milkweed?
A great choice for the flower garden and for natural settings. Milkweed plants are critical to the monarch butterflies survival, whose population in North America has plummeted by 90% in the last 20 years. By planting milkweed in your own garden, you can help reverse the fortune of these beautiful insects!
How tall does milkweed grow?
By planting milkweed in your own garden, you can help reverse the fortune of these beautiful insects! Grows in sturdy, upright clumps up to 3-5 ft. tall (90-150 cm) and 1-3 ft. wide (30-90 cm). Spreads via creeping rhizomes without being invasive.
What is an invasive species?
According to the North American Invasive Species Network, an invasive species is “a non-native species...w hose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic harm, environmental harm, or harm to human health.”. The invasiveness of any plant depends on the characteristics of the species and where it is planted.
Is milkweed invasive?
The invasiveness of any plant depends on the characteristics of the species and where it is planted. Some species of milkweed, like common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), have a tendency to be more aggressive in garden settings or disturbed areas, and thus have a reputation of being “weedy”.
Is milkweed a weed?
There are many species of milkweed native to North America and while “weed” is part of their name, these milkweeds are native, beneficial wildflowers. In the U.S., neither the federal government nor any states list milkweeds as noxious weeds.
Overview
Asclepias incarnata, the swamp milkweed, rose milkweed, rose milkflower, swamp silkweed, or white Indian hemp, is a herbaceous perennial plant species native to North America. It grows in damp through wet soils and also is cultivated as a garden plant for its flowers, which attract butterflies and other pollinators with nectar. Like most other milkweeds, it has latex containing toxic c…
Description
Swamp milkweed is an upright, 100 to 150 cm (39 to 59 in) tall plant, growing from thick, fleshy, white roots. Typically, its stems are branched and the clump forming plants emerge in late spring after most other plants have begun growth for the year. The oppositely arranged leaves are 7.5 to 15 cm (3 to 6 in) long and 1 to 4 cm (1⁄2 to 1+1⁄2 in) wide and are narrow and lance-shaped, with the ends tapering to a sharp point.
Taxonomy
As of July 2021 , Kew's Plants of the World Online (POWO) accepts 2 infraspecies, each having numerous synonyms:
• Asclepias incarnata subsp. incarnata
• Asclepias incarnata subsp. pulchra (Ehrh. ex Willd.) Woodson
Habitat
Swamp milkweed prefers moisture retentive through damp soils in full sun or partial shade and is typically found growing wild near the edges of ponds, lakes, streams, and low areas—or along ditches. It is one of the best attractors of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), which feeds on the flowers and lays eggs on the plants. The emerging caterpillars feed on the leaves.
The plants have specialized roots which function in heavy, wet soils. The scented, thick, white ro…
Cultivation
A. incarnata is cultivated frequently, and a number of cultivars are available. They are used especially in gardens designed to attract butterflies (see Butterfly gardening). The nectar of the plant attracts many other species of insect as well. The plants are also sold as freshly cut flowers, mostly for their long-lasting flower display, but sometimes, for the distinctive follicles.
Monarch Watch provides information on rearing monarchs and their host plants. Efforts to incre…
Images
• With monarch butterfly larva
• With Sphex ichneumoneus
• Open follicles
• Inflorescence
• Asclepias incarnata 'Ice Ballet'
External links
• Asclepias incarnata at Evergreen native plant database.