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Apocynaceae
Asclepias

*Asclepias curassavica Linnaeus. Common name: Scarlet Milkweed, Bloodflower. Phenology: Jan-Dec. Habitat: Ditches, disturbed areas; often cultivated, naturalizing (southwards in our region) and persistent as short-lived strays (northwards). Distribution: Native of tropical America, cultivated as an ornamental, naturalized in FL and persistent and naturalizing northwards (see, e.g., Bradley et al. [in prep.]). Kartesz (2020) reports it for e. TN; this and other northern reports far inland and off the Coastal Plain are likely of plants only shortly persistent from cultivation.

Glossary (beta!)

Origin/Endemic status: Neotropics

Synonymy ⓘ: = Bah, Fl5, FNA14, K4, Meso4.1, Tx, WH3, Woodson (1954); = n/a — RAB. Basionym: Asclepias curassavica L. 1753

Links to other floras: = Asclepias curassavica - FNA14

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Wetland Indicator Status:

  • Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FAC
  • Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC
  • Great Plains: FAC

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image of plant© Paul Marcum source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Sonnia Hill | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Paul Marcum source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan Cressler: Asclepias curassavica, Reserva Privada El Silencio, Provincia de Alajuela, Costa Rica 1 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

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