Swamp Milkweed

Taxobox
name = Swamp Milkweed

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image_width = 260px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Gentianales
familia = Apocynaceae
subfamilia = Asclepiadoideae
genus = "Asclepias"
species = "A. incarnata"
binomial = "Asclepias incarnata"
binomial_authority = L.

Swamp Milkweed, Rose Milkweed, Swamp Silkweed and, White Indian Hemp ("Asclepias incarnata") is a herbaceous plant species, related to other milkweeds.

Swamp milkweed prefers moisture retentive to damp soils in full sun to part 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 which feeds on the flowers and lays its eggs on the plants and the caterpillars feed on the leaves. Unlike other members of the milkweed group, this species does not have the milky sap that the others have. They have specialized roots for living in heavy wet soils, the scented, thick, white roots are adapted to live in environments low in oxygen. Plants bloom in mid to late summer and after blooming; long, relatively thin, rounded pods are produced that are upright growing. The pods split open in late summer to late fall releasing seeds that are attached to silky hairs that act as parachutes that carry the seeds on the currents of the wind. This species is commonly cultivated, especially in gardens for attracting butterflies. The flower color can vary from darker shades of purple to soft pinkish purple, with white flowering forms existing too. A number of cultivars are available and the plants are used as fresh cut flowers, most for their long lasting flower display but sometimes also for the seed pods.

Sphex ichneumoneus feeding on its nectar
monarch butterfly caterpillar

External links

* [http://www.evergreen.ca/nativeplants/search/view-plant.php?ID=00106 Asclepias incarnata at Evergreen native plant database]
* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ASIN Swamp Milkweed page] from the Natural Resources Conservation Service database