Scientific Name: Asclepias incarnata
Family: Apocynaceae
Height: 4-5 ft
Spread: 2-3 ft
Bloom Time: July-August
Native Range: Throughout North America except west coast, Pennsylvania
Ecological Value: Larval host for monarch and queen butterflies. Nectar plant.
Human Value: Native American used it medicinally. The stringy fibers were used to make twine and rough textiles. The seed parachutes are six times more buoyant than cork and 5 times warmer than wool so large quantities were used to stuff pillows and life jackets during World War II.
Swamp Milkweed Flowers Swamp Milkweed Swamp Milkweed Seed Pods Monarch on Swamp Milkweed Monarch on Swamp Milkweed Asian Lady Beetle and Aphids on Swamp Milkweed