Common Name:

Synonym(s):

Asclepias megalotis, Asclepias aceratoides

Genus species:

Asclepias tomentosa

Family:

Apocynaceae

Form:

Size:

2-3 ft

Life Span:

Flower Color:

Fruit Color:

Phenology:

Noted For:

Recommended Uses:

Considerations:

Availability:

Propagation:

Seed

Light:

Moisture Tolerance:

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

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Not wet but not extremely dry ---to--- Somewhat long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Unknown

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Soil pH:

Suitable to Grow In:

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

Wildlife:

Native Habitats:

Scrub, sandhill, edges of xeric hammocks, scrubby flatwoods

Natural Range in Florida:

Visit the USF Libraries Atlas of Florida Plants

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

Predominantly a Florida plant, but it has also been recorded in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Texas. The species name "tomentosa" refers to the dense, matted (tomentose) hairs on the leaves.  Aphids are often a "problem" with milkweed plants -- they are a natural predator on Asclepias. Eliminating pesticides from the garden will encourage the presence of predatory insects that will consume the aphids.