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Milkweed, Swamp

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.

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