Asclepias perennis (Smoothseed Milkweed)

https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu/main.php?pg=show-taxon-detail.php&lsid=urn:lsid:ncbg.unc.edu:taxon:{0D05AB40-2C7E-44E5-A927-EE7819225B00}

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APOCYNACEAE

Apocynaceae

Asclepias

Asclepias perennis Walter. Common name: Smoothseed Milkweed, Swamp-forest Milkweed, Aquatic Milkweed. Phenology: (Apr-) Jun-Aug; Aug-Sep. Habitat: Cypress-gum swamps, bottomland hardwood forests, marshes. Distribution: Se. NC south to c. peninsular FL, west to e. TX, north in the interior to s. IN and s. IL.

Origin/Endemic status: Endemic

Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, C, F, Fl5, FNA14, G, GW2, Il, K4, Mo2, NcTx, RAB, S, Tn, Tx, WH3, Woodson (1954). Basionym: Asclepias perennis Walter 1788

Links to other floras: = Asclepias perennis - FNA14

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Wetland Indicator Status:

Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: OBL
Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: OBL
Great Plains: OBL
Midwest: OBL
Northcentral & Northeast: OBL

Heliophily ⓘ: 4

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Horticultural Information

Intro: Erect to ascending perennial found in swamp forests.

Stems: Stems several from a woody crown, mostly unbranched, dark purplish-green, smooth below, with a line of hairs above between leaf nodes; leaks milky sap when bruised.

Leaves: Leaves opposite, petiolate, elliptic to lance-shaped, 2 1/2-5 1/2 in. long, waxy-white beneath.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flowers in umbels at stem top and from upper leaf axils, white (may be tinged pale lavender), about 1/4 in. long, consisting of 5 reflexed corolla lobes and a central crown--composed of 5 2-parted appendages ("hood" and "horn")--surrounding a complex structure of fused anthers and style.

Fruits: Fruit a follicle containing tufted seeds.

Comments: The tips of flower buds are pink.

Height: 1-2 ft.

plant sale text:

bloom table text:

description: Erect to ascending perennial found in swamp forests.

stems: Stems several from a woody crown, mostly unbranched, dark purplish-green, smooth below, with a line of hairs above between leaf nodes; leaks milky sap when bruised.

leaves: Leaves opposite, petiolate, elliptic to lance-shaped, 2 1/2-5 1/2 in. long, waxy-white beneath.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flowers in umbels at stem top and from upper leaf axils, white (may be tinged pale lavender), about 1/4 in. long, consisting of 5 reflexed corolla lobes and a central crown--composed of 5 2-parted appendages ("hood" and "horn")--surrounding a complex structure of fused anthers and style.

fruits: Fruit a follicle containing tufted seeds.

comments: The tips of flower buds are pink.

cultural notes:

germination code:

native range:

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Flora of the Southeastern United States

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Horticultural Information