Common Milkweed

Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed) is a hairy-stemmed, erect-growing perennial species that can grow to a height of 6.5 ft. The leaves of this native milkweed are in an opposite arrangement on the stem, and the species spreads by rhizomes. Asclepias syriaca has the characteristic sticky, milky sap we associate with milkweeds. Common Milkweed blooms in midsummer with purple flower clusters produced along the stem. When sunlight strikes the blooms of Common Milkweed, they give off the scent of lilacs. When honey is collected from monocultures of Asclepias syriaca, it carries this scent and the flavor has the floral overtones of lilac. Asclepias syriaca typically grows in full sun, but is occasionally observed in partial sun. It is found in mesic to well-drained soils. Common Milkweed is a host plant for caterpillars of monarch butterflies and provides nectar for many species of native bees and butterflies. Asclepias syriaca is an excellent addition to pollinator-friendly, steep slope, and woodland edge mixes. The rhizomes of Common Milkweed help to knit the soil together. Seed dormancy can be high for individual lots of Common Milkweed. We recommend three months of cold, moist stratification to break this dormancy for transplant production. Asclepias syriaca is a member of the milkweed (Asclepiadaceae) family. The genus name is derived from Asklepios, the Greek god of medicine. The species name syriaca means “Syrian.” During World War II, the U.S. did not have access to the fruits of the kapok tree whose fibers were used to fill life jackets. The U.S. Department of Agriculture led a program to collect Common Milkweed pods. The floss (fluff) that helps milkweed seeds to blow in the wind was collected from these pods and used to fill life jackets. The slogan for this program was “pick a seed, save a life.” Twenty-six ounces of floss were needed to keep a 150-pound man afloat for 48 hours in sea water. Two 20-pound bags of milkweed pods had to be collected for this much floss.