| Botanical name: |
Asclepias syriaca L. |
| Common
name: |
milkweed |
| Synonomy: | Asclepias intermedia Vail
Asclepias kansana Vail
Asclepias syriaca L. var. kansana (Vail) Palmer & Steyerm. |
| Group: |
dicot |
| Family: |
Asclepiadaceae |
| Growth
Type: |
forb/herb |
| Duration: |
perennial |
| Origin: |
native |
| Plant
height: |
2-5' |
| Foliage: |
1/2" flowers in 2" clusters |
| Flowers: |
pink to pale purple |
| Flowering/fruiting time |
June to August, fruit July to September |
| Habitat: |
rich dry fields, roadsides |
| Range
in
New Jersey: |
throughout north Jersey and the Inner Coastal Plain south to Cumberland County |
| Heritage ranking if any: |
n/a |
| Distribution: |
 |
| Misc.: |
The milky latex contains glycosides, making the leaves toxic for
animals. Its fiber has been explored by USDA for commercial processing.
The plant is used by the larvae of Monarch butterflies.
|
|
|
Not sure what a word means? Use Answers.com:
|
|
