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Greenish-white flower of Green Milkweed (Asclepias viridis)Barnes Dr Thomas G, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Queen Butterfly (Danaus gilippus) with a wooded backgroundInsects Unlocked, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Monarch Butterfly on Butterfly WeedLaura Perlick, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Green Milkweed (Asclepias viridis)

Host Plant: Monarch, Soldier, and Queen Butterflies

Nectar Plant: many other butterflies

Flower Color: green, yellow, white, and purple

Growth Habit: herbaceous perennial to grows to 2 feet tall

Range in North America: midwest and southeastern North America

Exposure: Full Sun

Hardiness: Zones 4-9

Soil Requirements: well-drained soil that medium moist to dry

Alternate Names:  Green Antelopehorn, Spider Milkweed

Description

Green Milkweed (Asclepias viridis), a member of the Apocynaceae ((Dogbane Family), is a herbaceous perennial that grows to 2 feet tall and has white, yellow, green, or purple flowers that bloom in the spring and summer.

Host and Nectar Species

Green milkweed is a host to monarch (Danaus plexippus), soldier (Danaus eresimus), and queen (Danaus gilippus) butterflies.

Natural Habitat and Range

Green milkweed is found in open areas such as fields, pastures, and roadsides.  It is native to midwestern and southeastern North America.

Interesting Facts about this plant

This is one of the first milkweeds to bloom in the Ohio Valley.  The species names means green.  The seedpod looks like an antelopehorn, hence one of the common names (Missouri Botanical Garden).

Green Milkweed (Asclepias viridis) External Links

Webpages

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Missouri Botanical Garden

Videos

Grow Milkweed Plants

NRCS Oklahoma

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