Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Roger Hammer, Dade Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Ginny Stibolt, Ixia Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Ginny Stibolt, Ixia Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

aquatic milkweed, swamp milkweed

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Asclepias perennis

Family:

Apocynaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

1-3 ft tall by 1 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

Phenology:

Evergreen. Blooms periodically from spring to fall. Survives shade but blooms better in part-to-full sun.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Small specimen plant in wet areas.  Does well in bog gardens and rain gardens or bioswales.

Considerations:

Toxic.

Availability:

Big Box Stores, Quality Nurseries, Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales

Propagation:

Seed.

Light:

Part Sun, Shade

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, Loam, Organic

Soil pH:

adaptable

Suitable to Grow In:

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

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Butterflies, Caterpillars

Larval host to the monarch butterfly ( Danaus plexippus ), queen butterfly ( Danaus gilippus ), and soldier butterfly, ( Danaus eresimus ).





Attracts various pollinators including butterflies and bees.

Native Habitats:

Marshes, swamps

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments: