Asclepias is a genus of 140 species of milkweed. Most species are native to North America, although others are native across the globe. Some milkweed are member of related genera Calotropis, Cynanchum, Gomphocarpus and Tweedia; all members of subfamily Asclepiadaceae.
🚧 In the future, we will add here identification paths for specific species of milkweed, probably starting with:
clusters of very-small flowers with ❀ 5 petals=pink or light purple around white center, 40% of sphere, subtle smell of vanilla
swamp milkweed Asclepias incarnata,
clusters of very-small flowers with ❀ 5 petals=dusty rose, 80% of sphere, smells flowery
common milkweed Asclepias syriaca,
clusters of very-small flowers with ❀ 5 petals=brilliant orange around a yellow center, 10% of a sphere, little smell, small red berries
butterfly milkweed Asclepias tuberosa,
black swallow-wort Cynanchum louiseae,
pale swallow-wort Cynanchum rossicum
and
white swallow-wort Vincetoxicum hirundinaria.
Uses by native peoples
(Ethnobotany database)
Host to caterpillars of 13 species
of butterflies and moths, in some areas.
Milkweed — It's Not
Just for Monarchs
Growing milkweeds for monarch butterflies (.pdf)