Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed)

Plant Info

Also known as:	Silkweed, Milkplant
Genus:	Asclepias
Family:	Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	native
Status:	Noxious Weed
Habitat:	sun or part shade; wet or dry fields, along shores, edges of woods
Bloom season:	summer
Plant height:	2 to 5 feet
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Long Lake Regional Park Rice Creek Trail Corridor Vadnais/Snail Lake Regional Park

Pick an image for a larger view. Most image enlargements are 50-100KB, though some may be larger. See the glossary for icon descriptions.

Detailed Information

Flower:

2-inch round flower cluster; individual flowers are ½ inch across with 5 downward-curved petals. Flower color ranges from dull pink to mauve, the tips of the star-shaped crown are usually cream colored.

Leaves:

Large, smooth leaves up to 8 inches long and 3 inches wide, generally oval with a point at the tip; opposite attachment at the stem.

Fruit:

Bumpy green pods about 5 inches long containing many flat, brown seeds, each with a fuzzy parachute attached. When the pod splits open the seeds are carried away by the wind.

Notes:

There are 13 species of milkweed in Minnesota. This is one. grin

More photos

• Common Milkweed just budding
• a small patch of Common Milkweed in various stages of bloom 

All photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN, June-July 2006.

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?

Post a comment

Note: All comments are moderated before posting to keep the riff-raff out. An email address is required, but will not be posted—it will only be used for information exchange between the 2 of us (if needed) and will never be given to a 3rd party without your express permission.

For info on subjects other than plant identification (gardening, invasive species control, edible plants, etc.), please check the links and invasive species pages for additional resources.

Your Name:

Your email address: (required)

Where in Minnesota?

Comment:

Note: Comments or information about plants outside of Minnesota will not be posted because I want to keep the focus of this web site on Minnesota. Thanks for your understanding.