Asclepias syriacaMilkweed
科:萝藦科
Family:Asclepiadaceae
属:马利筋属
common name:Milkweed
introduce:Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asclepiadaceae
Missouri Native: Yes
Native Range: Eastern North America
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Spread: 0.75 to 1 foot
Bloom Time: June - August
Bloom Color: Pink, mauve, white
Sun: Full sun (only)
Water: Dry to medium moisture
Maintenance: Low
General Culture:
Easily grown in average, dry to medium wet, well-drained soils in full sun. Drought tolerant. Does well in poor, dryish soils. Easily grown from seed, and will self-seed in the landscape if seed pods are not removed prior to splitting open. Can spread somewhat rapidly by rhizomes. Often forms extensive colonies in the wild.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Common milkweed is a rough, weedy Missouri native perennial which commonly occurs in fields, open woods, waste areas, roadsides and along railroad tracks throughout the State (Steyermark). It typically grows 3-4 (less frequently to 6) tall on stout, upright stems with thick, broad-oblong, reddish-veined, light green leaves (to 8" long). Domed, slightly drooping clusters (umbels) of fragrant, pinkish -purple flowers appear mostly in the upper leaf axils over a long bloom period from late spring well into summer. Stems and leaves exude a milky sap when cut or bruised. Flowers give way to prominent, warty seed pods (2-4" long) which split open when ripe releasing their numerous silky-tailed seeds for dispersal by the wind. Seed pods are valued in dried flower arrangements. Flowers are a nectar source for many butterflies and leaves are a food source for monarch butterfly larvae (caterpillars).
No serious insect or disease problems. Somewhat weedy and can be invasive.
Uses:
Butterfly gardens, meadows, prairies, or naturalized/native plant areas. This plant is considered by many gardeners to be too vigorous and weedy for borders.
