Photo by: John Bradford, Martin County Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

red milkweed, few-flower milkweed

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Asclepias lanceolata

Family:

Apocynaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

2-4 ft tall by 1 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

orange,red

Fruit Color:

green

Phenology:

winter dormant

Noted For:

Showy Flowers

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Wet wildflower garden.

Considerations:

Toxic.

Availability:

Seed

Propagation:

Seed.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

-|------|---- <-----------------> ----|----|----|----|----|----|-

Stays wet ---to--- Somewhat moist, no flooding

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Lime Rock

Soil pH:

adaptable

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Butterflies, Caterpillars

Larval host plant for monarch ( Danaus plexippus ) and queen ( Danaus gilippus ) butterflies; possible larval host of soldier ( Danaus eresimus ) butterflies. Nectar plant for monarch ( Danaus plexippus ) and other butterflies. [IRC website, 2012]. Attracts many pollinators, especially native bees.

Larval host plant for monarch ( Danaus plexippus ) and queen ( Danaus gilippus ) butterflies; possible larval host of soldier ( Danaus eresimus ) butterflies. Nectar plant for monarch ( Danaus plexippus ) and other butterflies. [IRC website, 2012]. Attracts many pollinators, especially native bees.

Native Habitats:

Wet flatwoods, savannas, marshes, swamps

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

Don't confuse this native with the non-native tropical or scarlet milkweed (Asclepias curassavica), that is often sold in big box stores, which has red and yellow flowers.