(Asclepias verticillata)
Whorled Milkweed

Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata)

Alternative Names

Eastern Whorled Milkweed and Horsetail Milkweed

Description of Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata)

Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata), a member of the Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family), is a herbaceous perennial that has white and green flowers, blooms in the spring to summer, and grows to 1 to 2.5 feet tall.  This plant is toxic to livestock.  More about this species can be found on this blog post.

Hosted Species

Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)

Nectar Species

Many other insects, especially bees use this plant as a nectar source.

Habitat

This milkweed grows in open areas and barrens with either full sun or part-shade.

Range of Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata) in the United States and Canada

Interesting Facts

The genus name, Asclepias, is the Greek name for the God of Medicine.  The species name, verticillata, means “whorled” in Latin (Missouri Botanical Garden).