Asclepias is a genus of 140 species of milkweed. Some milkweed are member of related
genus Calotropis,
genus Cynanchum,
genus Gomphocarpus,
genus Tweedia
and
genus Vincetoxicum.
All are members of
dogbane family Apocynaceae.
Most species are native to North America, although others are native across the globe.
🚧 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
butterfly milkweed Asclepias tuberosa,
clusters of very-small flowers with ❀ 5 petals=white around a white center, 20% of a sphere, leaves=very narrow
whorled milkweed Asclepias verticillata,
◼︎ black swallow-wort Cynanchum louiseae,
◼︎ pale swallow-wort Cynanchum rossicum
and
◼︎ white swallow-wort Vincetoxicum hirundinaria.
Please let us know which other species you would like to see here, using the
button at the bottom of this page.