Asclepias curassavica L.

Scarlet Milkweed

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Scarlet Milkweed is an introduced herbaceous perennial in the Dogbane family (Apocynaceae). It is native to the American tropics. Scarlet Milkweed is widely cultivated in Alabama and has rarely escaped in the southern half of the state. It has been found on roadsides and in waste areas. It is a perennial from a tap root with erect stems from 1-3 feet in height. The stems are pubescent and green in color. Leaves are opposite, short petiolate, lanceolate in outline, and glabrous to slightly pubescent. Flowers are produced in axillary umbels. Each umbel contains 10-20 orange-red and yellow flowers. The fruit is a follicle. All parts of the plant exude a milky white latex sap when injured, and contain cardiac glycosides and resinoids which can be toxic if eaten. Scarlet Milkweed plants or seed are commonly available from nurseries. Stem cuttings taken during the growing season can also be rooted in moist sand. It is recommended that Scarlet Milkweed not be planted for Monarch (Danaus plexippus) butterflies in areas that do not experience freezing temperatures each year. A protozoan parasite of monarch butterflies, Ophryocystis elektroscirrha can be deposited on leaves by infected butterflies visiting the plant. In areas where the plant is not killed back by freezing temperatures, the parasite load on the plant increases over time. When caterpillars feed on the infected foliage they become infected. High levels of the parasite in adult monarchs have been linked to lower migration success, reduced body mass, shorter lifespan, lower mating success, and poor flight ability.—A. Diamond.

Native of Caribbean islands.

Not Native

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