Asclepias longifolia Michx.

Longleaf Milkweed; Savannah Milkweed

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Longleaf Milkweed is a native herbaceous perennial in the Dogbane family (Apocynaceae). It is native to the southern half of Alabama. Longleaf Milkweed occurs in pine savannahs, in bogs, and on wet roadsides. It is a perennial with a thick taproot. The stems are 1-2 from each root crown. Stems are erect to ascending, unbranched, reddish in color, and sparsely pubescent. The stems are 1-2 feet in length. Leaves are sub-opposite to whorled, sessile, linear in outline, glabrous, with entire margins. Flowers are produced in umbels. The umbels are located in the axils of the upper leaves. The pedicels are pubescent with curved hairs. Each umbel has 20-30 flowers. The corollas are white with rose-purple tips. Horns are absent. The fruit is a follicle. All parts of the plant contain a milky white sap. Longleaf Milkweed is not commercially available. Plants can be grown from seed. The seed should be cold stratified for at least 30 days before they are planted. Longleaf Milkweed prefers an acidic sandy soil in full sun.--A. Diamond

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Native FACW+ (NWPL)

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