Asclepias rubra L.

Red Milkweed

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Red Milkweed is a native perennial in the Dogbane family (Apocynaceae). It can be found in central and southern Alabama. Red Milkweed grows in pitcher plant bogs, in seeps, in wet pine savannahs, and along acidic streams. It is a perennial from a tap root. Stems are from 1-3 feet in height. The stems are glabrous or pubescent in lines. Leaves are opposite, sessile, lanceolate in outline, and hispid along the margins. Flowers are produced in a terminal umbel. Despite its common name the flowers are lavender to pinkish in color. The fruit is a follicle. All parts of the plant exude a milky white latex sap when injured. Red Milkweed is a S1 species in Alabama (typically 5 or fewer occurrences, very few remaining individuals, acres, or miles of stream, or some factor of its biology making it especially vulnerable in the state). Red Milkweed plants or seed are available from many native nurseries. It is a larval host for the Monarch Butterfly. Red Milkweed requires a moist or wet, acidic soil and full sun. It can be grown in a bog garden.--A. Diamond

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Native OBL (NWPL) S1 (State Rank) G4G5 (Global Rank)

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