Common Name(s):

aquatic milkweed

white swamp milkweed

 

Scientific Name:

Asclepias perennis

 

Native Range:

AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MO, MS, SC, TN, TX

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USDA Symbol:

ASPE

 

Habitat: 

• saturated soils

• floodplains

• marshes

• wetlands

• cypress swamps

• ditches

• streams

 

Growing Conditions:

• partial sun to medium shade

• abundant organic matter

• consistently moist soil, but not long-term standing water

 

Plant Height:
1-2 feet (30.5-61 centimeters)

 

Stem Description:

• light green to purplish green

• unbranched, erect flowering stems

• nearly glabrous

 

Leaf Description: 

• 2.5-5 inches (6.35-13 centimeters) long

• 0.25-1.5 inches (0.5-4 centimeters) wide

• upper leaf surface is medium to dark green

• lower leaf surface is light to medium green

• narrow petioles that are light green to purplish green and grooved along the upper side

• linear, elliptic

• leaf tips taper gradually to acute points

• leaf bases are wedge-shaped

• leaf vein and underside are dull green

• prominent mid-vein

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Leaf Arrangement:

• opposite

 

Leaf Margin:

• entire

 

Leaf Surface:

• glabrous

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Flowering Period: 

• May-November

Flower Description: 

• pinkish white corollas, hoods and horns

• one or more umbels produced in the axils of the upper leaves

• each umbel has 20-25 flowers

• mildly fragrant

 

Pod Description:

• 2.5-3 inches (6.35-7.6 centimeters) long

• 0.5-1 inch (-2.5 centimeters) wide

• smooth and glabrous

• immature pods are erect, but droop downward at maturity to release seeds

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Other Information:

• seeds are able to float on water for extended periods of time

• this species has special value to native bees