Asclepias incarnata

Asclepias incarnata, commonly known as swamp milkweed, is a species of flowering plant in the Apocynaceae family. It is native to North America and is found primarily in wet environments such as swamps and wet meadows.

Description

Asclepias incarnata is a perennial plant that typically grows to a height of 1-1.5 meters. It has narrow, lanceolate leaves that are arranged oppositely along the stem. The flowers are typically pink to mauve and are arranged in clusters at the top of the plant. The fruit is a follicle that contains numerous seeds, each with a tuft of silky hairs that aid in wind dispersal.

Distribution and habitat

Asclepias incarnata is found throughout most of the eastern and central United States and in parts of Canada. It is typically found in wet habitats such as swamps, marshes, and along the edges of ponds and streams.

Ecology

Asclepias incarnata is a host plant for the monarch butterfly and other species of butterflies and moths. The plant produces a milky sap that contains cardiac glycosides, which are toxic to most animals but are sequestered by monarch caterpillars as a defense against predators.

Cultivation

Asclepias incarnata is cultivated as an ornamental plant for its attractive flowers and its value as a nectar source for butterflies and other pollinators. It is also used in rain gardens and other forms of low-maintenance, sustainable landscaping.

Medicinal uses

Native American tribes have traditionally used Asclepias incarnata for medicinal purposes, including the treatment of coughs, respiratory ailments, and venereal diseases.

See also

• Asclepias syriaca
• Asclepias tuberosa
• Asclepias verticillata