Asclepias humistrata Walter. Common name: Fleshy Milkweed, Sandhill Milkweed, Pinkveined Milkweed. Phenology: (Feb-) Mar-Jun (-Oct); (Mar-) Apr-Oct (-Nov). Habitat: Longleaf pine sandhills and Florida scrub, open sandy areas, coastal strand. Distribution: E. NC south to s. FL, west to e. LA.
ID notes: A striking plant, with its prostrate stems, somewhat fleshy leaves borne in a vertical plain, and cream, pink, or red main leaf veins standing out against the blue-green color of the leaf blade.
Origin/Endemic status: Endemic
Synonymy ⓘ: = FNA14, K4, RAB, S, WH3, Woodson (1954). Basionym: Asclepias humistrata Walter 1788
Links to other floras: = Asclepias humistrata - FNA14
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Heliophily ⓘ: 9
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© Will Stuart | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
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© Floyd A. Griffith | Original Image ⭷
© Will Stuart | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Leaning to sprawling perennial of sandhills and other dry, sandy uplands.
Stems: Stem unbranched, smooth and with a white-waxy coating; leaks milky sap when bruised.
Leaves: Leaves opposite, sessile-clasping, oval, to 4 in. long, thick, blue-green with pink veins and smooth; curving upright when stem is laying on ground.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers on reddish-pink stalks in rounded, terminal and upper axillary umbels; pinkish-white, about 3/4 in. long, consisting of 5 strongly reflexed, dull pink corolla lobes and an erect pinkish-white central crown--composed of 5 2-parted appendages ("hood" and "horn")--surrounding a complex structure of fused anthers and style.
Fruits: Fruit an erect, spindle-shaped follicle containing tufted seeds.
Comments:
Height: 1-2 1/2 ft.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Leaning to sprawling perennial of sandhills and other dry, sandy uplands.
stems: Stem unbranched, smooth and with a white-waxy coating; leaks milky sap when bruised.
leaves: Leaves opposite, sessile-clasping, oval, to 4 in. long, thick, blue-green with pink veins and smooth; curving upright when stem is laying on ground.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers on reddish-pink stalks in rounded, terminal and upper axillary umbels; pinkish-white, about 3/4 in. long, consisting of 5 strongly reflexed, dull pink corolla lobes and an erect pinkish-white central crown--composed of 5 2-parted appendages ("hood" and "horn")--surrounding a complex structure of fused anthers and style.
fruits: Fruit an erect, spindle-shaped follicle containing tufted seeds.
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: southeastern United States
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