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Fourleaf Milkweed
Asclepias quadrifolia

Photo Citations
Naturedigger would like to thank the following individuals for their contributions to the fourleaf milkweed (Asclepias quadrifolia) identification slide:
Main flower image provided by: Mark Tomlinson; iNaturalist observation (cropped), CC BY-NC 4.0
Inset flower image provided by: AiWendil; iNaturalist observation (cropped), Public Domain
Leaves, stems and pod images by: Jason Kepska; iNaturalist observation (cropped), CC BY-NC 4.0
Asclepias quadrifolia Profile
Common Name(s):
fourleaf milkweed
four-leaf milkweed
four-leaved milkweed
whorled milkweed
Scientific Name:
Asclepias quadrifolia
Native Range United States:
AL, AR, CT, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY,
MA, MD, MN, MO, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH,
OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WV
Native Range Canada:
ON
USDA Symbol:
ASQU
Habitat:
• open, dry or rocky woods
• woods and thickets
• upland slopes
Growing Conditions:
• full sun, part shade or shade
• dry to medium moisture well-drained soil
• rich, average loam, clay, gravel or rock
• may tolerate drought conditions once established
Plant Height:
• 1-3 feet (60-90 centimeters) tall
Stem Description:
• single stem
• slender
• may be slightly pubescent
Leaf Description:
• broadly lanceolate or ovate
• leaves are pointed at both ends
• 1-6 inches (2.5-12.0 centimeters) long
• 0.4-2.5 inches (1-6 centimeters) wide
• three or four sets of leaves spaced far apart along the stem
• one or two of the upper sets of leaves have four in a whorl, the other sets have two opposite leaves. One whorled set may appear in the middle of the stem
Leaf Arrangement:
• whorled
• opposite
Leaf Margin:
• entire
• may appear slightly undulate (wavy)
• may be slightly pubescent
Leaf Surface:
• smooth and mostly hairless
Flowering Period:
• May through July
Flower Description:
• flowers in a loose umbel
• umbels grow at top of stem
• flowers may be upright or drooping
• hoods extend well above stigmatic disc
• horns are long and sharply curve inward toward the center of the stigmatic disc
• corolla reflexed
Flower Color:
• white to pinkish
Pod Description:
• erect
• smooth
• hairless to minutely hairy
• long and narrow
• 3-5.5 inches (7.5-14 centimeters) long
Other Information:
• threatened in some New England states
• this species is quite fragrant and attracts a wide variety of insects
• unlike other members of the Asclepias genus, A. quadrifolia is a woodland species
To Locate and Purchase Seeds (when available):
Xerces Society Milkweed Seed Finder
Milkweed and Wildflower Vendors
For More Information About This Species Visit:
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Missouri Department of Conservation
Text: Woodson, R. (1954). The North American Species of Asclepias L. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, 41(1), 1-211. doi:10.2307/2394652