SHOWY MILKWEED

Class: Asclepias speciosa

Family: MILKWEED FAMILY

Sub Family: Asclepiadaceae

Year: Perennial

Other Names: Common Milkweed, Silkweed

Colour: Mauve-pink

Height: 40 cm-1.2 m (16"-4')

Each Flower: 2 cm (3/4") across with 5 pinkish to brownish-purple, pointed, down-curved petals, joined near base to form short tube; inside petals are 5 mauve-pink, erect, horn-shaped structures called hoods, longer than petals; inside hood purple anthers curve over pistil; 5 green sepals, often reddish-tinged at tips and down-curved

Leaves: Opposite, lance-shaped, 10-20 cm (4-8") long, up to 10 cm (4") broad with pinkish mid-rib and pale almost transverse veins; blades softly hairy, downy beneath with short, stout stalks

Stems: Woody, green, round, slightly downy, hollow

Blooming Period: June - August

Habitat: Moister sandy or gravelly open areas, especially near ditches and streams, also along roadsides. Found at lower elevations

Note:

Injured stems and leaves exude sticky, milky juice