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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Asclepias amplexicaulis

Clasping Milkweed, Sand Milkweed, Bluntleaf Milkweed

Scientific Name:

Asclepias amplexicaulis

Genus:

Asclepias

Species Epithet:

amplexicaulis

Common Name:

Clasping Milkweed, Sand Milkweed, Bluntleaf Milkweed

Plant Type

Herb/Wildflower

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Size:

1-3 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

Pink, Green, Purple

Light:

Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Dry

Bloom Time:

May, June, July

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

“Sandhills, other dry woodlands of various types.” Weakley 2015

Leaf Arrangement:

Opposite

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Important for Wildlife

Landscape Value:

Not Assigned

State Rank:

S5: Secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Notes:

Milkweed species are the food source for Monarch butterfly caterpillars and have special value for native bees. Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center

The wavy-edged, clasping leaves are a good identification mark for Clasping Milkweed.

It is common in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain in open woods, clearings and roadsides.

image

Paynter, May 2012, Ev-Henwood Preserve, Supply

Flowers

image

Plant

image

Camille Collins

Bloom with friend

image

Camille Collins

Notice amplexicaule leaves paired closely around stem.

Lake Bee, Chesterfield Co., SC

The Scientific Name is Asclepias amplexicaulis. You will likely hear them called Clasping Milkweed, Sand Milkweed, Bluntleaf Milkweed. This picture shows the Notice amplexicaule leaves paired closely around stem. of Asclepias amplexicaulis

Larry Mellichamp

Mature capsule releasing seeds

Chesterfield Co., NC near McBee

The Scientific Name is Asclepias amplexicaulis. You will likely hear them called Clasping Milkweed, Sand Milkweed, Bluntleaf Milkweed. This picture shows the Mature capsule releasing seeds of Asclepias amplexicaulis

Larry Mellichamp

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



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