(Asclepias incarnata ‘Swamp’)
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Swamp Milkweed is a native clump-forming perennial flower that grows in wet areas such as swamps and river edges throughout most of the United States. When this plant reaches maturity, it typically grows to 3-4 feet. It has lance-shaped green foliage that measures 3-6 inches in length and produces small clusters of pink flowers that give off a pleasant aroma. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, is resistant to deer, tolerates drought, is used to make cordage and fabric, self-sows, is both edible and medicinal, and is used as a cut flower!
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Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Asclepias
Species: incarnata
Variety: Swamp Milkweed
Also Known As: Rose Milkweed, Red Milkweed, Swamp Silkweed, White Indian Hemp.
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Prince Edward I., Québec, Rhode I., South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Perennial
Maturity (Blooms): Jun-Oct.
Light: Full Sun
Soil Moisture: Medium
Attracts Beneficial Insects?: Yes. attracts buckeyes, bumblebees, eastern tiger swallowtails, fritillaries, giant swallowtails, hairstreaks, honey bees, hummingbird moths, hummingbirds, skippers, spicebush swallowtails and more! Monarch and Queen butterflies lay eggs on this plant and the resulting larvae (caterpillars) use the plant leaves as a food source. Also resists deer.
Containers: Yes
Height: 48”
Spacing: 30-36”
USDA Zone: 2-11
Produces: branching stems, 3-6” lance-shaped green leaves, and aromatic clusters of tiny pink flowers.
Toxicity: This Milkweed is a neurotoxic species, which may cause neurologic signs, including weakness, ataxia, muscle tremors, recumbency, and tetanic seizures to grazing livestock. Consider wearing gloves when working with these plants because the milky sap is poisonous if ingested and can be toxic to human skin.
Genus: Asclepias
Species: incarnata
Variety: Swamp Milkweed
Also Known As: Rose Milkweed, Red Milkweed, Swamp Silkweed, White Indian Hemp.
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Prince Edward I., Québec, Rhode I., South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Perennial
Maturity (Blooms): Jun-Oct.
Light: Full Sun
Soil Moisture: Medium
Attracts Beneficial Insects?: Yes. attracts buckeyes, bumblebees, eastern tiger swallowtails, fritillaries, giant swallowtails, hairstreaks, honey bees, hummingbird moths, hummingbirds, skippers, spicebush swallowtails and more! Monarch and Queen butterflies lay eggs on this plant and the resulting larvae (caterpillars) use the plant leaves as a food source. Also resists deer.
Containers: Yes
Height: 48”
Spacing: 30-36”
USDA Zone: 2-11
Produces: branching stems, 3-6” lance-shaped green leaves, and aromatic clusters of tiny pink flowers.
Toxicity: This Milkweed is a neurotoxic species, which may cause neurologic signs, including weakness, ataxia, muscle tremors, recumbency, and tetanic seizures to grazing livestock. Consider wearing gloves when working with these plants because the milky sap is poisonous if ingested and can be toxic to human skin.
In late fall, direct sow the swamp milkweed seeds for sale just below the surface. Germination will take place in the spring, after the last frost. When the seedlings appear, thin to the strongest plant; seedlings usually do not survive transplanting, since they resent any disturbance of their roots. For spring planting, mix the seeds with moist sand and refrigerate for 30 days before direct sowing.
Since this plant does not tolerate drought, watering may be necessary to keep the soil moist. The flowers attract bees and many butterflies, while repelling deer. Because competing weeds will damage the growth of this plant, keep them down to a minimum.
This makes a striking cut flower. Cut the stems long, choosing flowers that have just opened. Keep in mind that the milky sap is mildly toxic and can irritate the skin.
After the plant finishes flowering, 3-4" narrow pods will form. Be sure to harvest the pods before they split and the silky fluff carries the seeds away on the wind. As soon as the seeds inside the pod ripen to their mature brown color, remove the pods and spread them out to dry. Split open the pods and take out the silky seed material. Remove the fluff from the seeds. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place.
Unopened flower buds - cooked. Tasting somewhat like peas. They can also be dried and stored for later use.
Young shoots - cooked. An asparagus substitute. Tips of older shoots are cooked like spinach.
Young seed pods, harvested when 1 - 1 1/2" long - cooked. A pea-like flavor, they are very appetizing.
The flower clusters can be boiled down to make a sugary syrup.
Young shoots - cooked. An asparagus substitute. Tips of older shoots are cooked like spinach.
Young seed pods, harvested when 1 - 1 1/2" long - cooked. A pea-like flavor, they are very appetizing.
The flower clusters can be boiled down to make a sugary syrup.
A good quality fiber is obtained from the bark. It is used in twine, cloth etc. It is easily harvested in late autumn, after the plants have died down, by simply pulling it off the dead stems. The seed floss is used to stuff pillows etc or is mixed with other fibers to make cloth. It is a Kapok substitute, it is used in Life Jackets or as a stuffing material. It is very water repellent. The floss has also been used to mop up oil spills at sea. Rubber can be made from latex contained in the leaves and stems. Pods contain an oil and a wax which are of potential importance.
Project Purity Seeds can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Plants mingle easily with other sun & moisture lovers like Eupatorium fistulosum, Lobelia cardinalis, Helianthus angustifolius, Eupatorium colestinum and Aster novae-angliae.
A good quality fiber is obtained from the bark. It is used in twine, cloth etc. It is easily harvested in late autumn, after the plants have died down, by simply pulling it off the dead stems. The seed floss is used to stuff pillows etc or is mixed with other fibers to make cloth. It is a Kapok substitute, it is used in Life Jackets or as a stuffing material. It is very water repellent. The floss has also been used to mop up oil spills at sea. Rubber can be made from latex contained in the leaves and stems. Pods contain an oil and a wax which are of potential importance.