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Curtiss' Milkweed
Asclepias curtissii

Photo Citations
Naturedigger would like to thank the following individuals for their contributions to the Curtiss' milkweed (Asclepias curtissii) identification slide:
Flower image provided by: Alex Abair, iNaturalist observation (cropped)
Inset flower provided by: Alex Abair, iNaturalist observation (cropped)
Leaf/stem images provided by: Alex Abair, iNaturalist observation (cropped)
Pod image provided by: Tom Palmer, iNaturalist observation (cropped)
Asclepias curtissii Profile
Common Name(s):
Curtiss's milkweed
Curtiss' milkweed
Scientific Name:
Asclepias curtissii
Native Range:
• Florida
USDA Symbol:
ASCU8
Habitat:
• oak habitats including Chapman, myrtle and live oak
• leached white sand scrub and sandhills
• Florida rosemary communities
• disturbed areas, particularly fire lanes and sand roads
Growing Conditions:
• excessively well drained, sandy soil
• partial to full sun
Plant Height:
• 2 -4 feet (0.6-1.2 meters) tall
• lanky
Stem Description:
• slender
• smooth but occasionally hairy near leaf nodes
Leaf Description:
• 1-2" long (cm)
• elliptic to oval
• dark green
• thick
Leaf Arrangement:
• opposite
Leaf Margin:
• usually wavy or undulating
Leaf Surface:
• dark green
Flowering Period:
• April through October
Flower Description:
• white flowers
• usually located at the ends of the main stalks
• 20-30 individual flowers
• petals are green and reflexed
• occasionally reddish purple lines on flowers
• elongated hoods that surround small, incurved horns
Pod Description:
• solitary (borne on stems singly or alone)
• narrow
Other Information:
• this is a rare species endemic to Florida's upland, sandy areas and was placed on the endangered-state species list
• threatened by fire suppression, sand mining and habitat loss
• found throughout Florida in concentrated, but isolated areas
• not the most common food for monarch caterpillars, but they will feed off of it if the need arises
• pollinated mainly by skipper and hairstreak butterflies
• low levels of cardenolides in the sap, making it safe for deer to browse
• named after Allen Hiram Curtiss, a Virginian, who settled in Florida in 1875
For More Information About This Species Visit:
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Wild South Florida - Naturally Wild
***Unfortunately, we are unable to locate seeds to purchase for this species