Asclepias perennis Walter

Swamp Forest Milkweed; Shore Milkweed; Aquatic Milkweed

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Swamp Forest Milkweed is a native perennial in the Dogbane family (Apocynaceae). It can be found in the southern two-thirds of Alabama. Swamp Forest Milkweed grows in swamps, in floodplain forests, along creeks and streams, and around beaver ponds. It is a perennial from a woody crown. Decumbent stems root, forming colonies. Stems are erect, unbranched, and sparsely pubescent to glabrous, and green or purple in color. Leaves are opposite, petiolate, elliptic to ovate in outline, and entire. Leaves are glabrous to sparsely pubescent. Both the stems and leaves exude a milky white sap when damaged. Flowers are produced in umbels from the axils of the upper leaves. Each umbel contains 20-50 white or pinkish flowers. Flowers are slightly fragrant. The fruit is a follicle (a dry fruit that splits along one side). Follicles are erect when young and then droop as they mature. The seed lack the tuffs of hairs common in other Milkweed species. Instead they have an expanded seed coat that allows them to float. Swamp Forest Milkweed is occasionally available from wildflower nurseries. In requires a wet location to thrive. Plant will even grow in shallow standing water. Swamp Forest Milkweed can be used in bog gardens, in shallow pools, and along streams or ponds. Plants can also be grown from seed, or rooted from cuttings. Large clumps can be divided.--A. Diamond

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Native OBL (NWPL)

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