Asclepias verticillata (Whorled Milkweed): white Minnesota wildflowers

Asclepias verticillata (Whorled Milkweed)

Plant Info
Also known as:
Genus:	Asclepias
Family:	Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	native
Habitat:	sun; dry fields, prairies, sandy open woods, roadsides
Bloom season:	summer
Plant height:	1 to 2 feet
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Rice Creek Trail Corridor

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Detailed Information

Flower:: Flowers are in rounded clusters 1 to 3 inches across that arise from the leaf axils in the upper part of the plant, and at the top of the plant. Each cluster usually has 10 to 20 flowers. Individual flowers are about ¼ long with 5 light green petals that are bent downward and 5 white “horns” at the crown.
Leaves and stem:: Leaves are up to 3 inches long and very narrow, less than 1/8 inch wide, with a prominent central vein. Whorls of 3 to 6 leaves are densely packed along the stem but spread out as the plant matures. Leaves initially point up but become more horizontal or turned downward with age. The main stem is slender and has fine hairy lines that extend down from the base of the leaves.
Fruit:: Fruit is a spindly pod 3 to 4 inches long containing numerous flat brown seeds, each with a tuft of white hair to carry it off in the wind.

More photos

Photos taken at Wild River State Park, Center City, MN July and October 2008

Comments

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

Posted by: Julie in Elk River, MN (Sherburne Co.)
on: 2009-08-14 19:54:35

I have about 50 plants of these growing in my backyard where we haven't cut for about 5 years. This is the first year I've noticed them.

Posted by: Randall in St. Paul
on: 2010-08-01 20:00:57

There is a small meadow with compacted soil with patches of standing water off the railroad track in my neighborhood. Whorled milkweed grows there. I tried to get some going in my garden but to no avail.