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Green Antelopehorn Milkweed
Asclepias viridis

Photo Citations
Naturedigger would like to thank the following individuals for their contributions to the Green antelopehorns milkweed (Asclepias viridis) identification slide:
Main flower image provided by: bHarding81; iNaturalist observation (cropped), CC BY-NC 4.0
Inset flower image provided by: Fiddleman; iNaturalist observation (cropped), CC BY-NC 4.0
Leaves and stems image by: Pynklyns; iNaturalist observation (cropped), Public domain
Inset leaf image provided by: Jessica Bickell; iNaturalist observation (cropped)
Pod Image by: teChang; iNaturalist observation (cropped), CC BY-NC 4.0
Asclepias viridis Profile
Common Name(s):
green antelopehorn milkweed
green antelope-horn milkweed
spider milkweed
green milkweed
green-flowered milkweed
tall green milkweed
Scientific Name:
Asclepias viridis
Native Range:
AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY,
LA, MO, MS, NE, NM, OH, OK, SC,
TN, TX, WV
USDA Symbol:
ASVI2
Habitat:
• dry areas
• overgrazed pastures
• prairies
• disturbed areas
• glades
• sandy or rocky soils
• dunes
Growing Conditions:
• full sun
• limestone soils
Plant Height: 1-3 feet (0.25-1 meter) tall
Stem Description:
• multiple stems unbranched
• larger plants may have up to ten stems
• thick
Leaf Description:
• ovate to lanceolate - highly variable shape
• short petioles
• 2-4.75 inches (5-12 centimeters) long and 0.5-2.25 inches (1-5.5 centimeters) wide
• midvein may have pink or purplish tint
Leaf Arrangement:
• alternate to sub-opposite
Leaf Margin:
• entire, but often undulate
Leaf Surface:
• usually hairless but may have fine sparse hairs
• coarse
Flowering Period:
• April through September
Flower Description:
• flowers grow in a tight umbel
• usually one umbel per plant
• ten plus flowers per umbel
• lack visible horns
• corolla (petals) are not reflexed backward
Flower Color:
• hoods are purple tinged with white
• hoods are below the stigmatic disc and rounded at the top
• corolla (petals) may be green or cream
• purple tinge in the center
Pod Description:
• usually erect
• thicker in the middle
• 2.5 inches (6-13 centimeters) long
• slightly hairy
• rough surface, not smooth
• form several pods per stem
• vertical stripes, may appear brown to burgundy
Other Information:
• endangered in Indiana and West Virginia
• prefers little vegetative competition
• similar species: antelope horns (A. asperula) and common milkweed (A. syriaca)
• one of the common names, spider milkweed, comes from the white spider
that lives on the plant
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
Xerces Regional Milkweed Guide