Native Milkweed (Asclepias) Species Common to Mississippi Asclepias tuberosa Asclepias amplexicaulis BUTTERFLY WEED CLASPING MILKWEED Patricia R. Drackett, Director The Crosby Arboretum, Mississippi State University Extension Service Assistant Extension Professor of Landscape Architecture Milkweeds are a major source of nectar Although the common orange-blooming for insects such as butterflies and A. tuberosa (Butterfly Weed) is well- beetles and are the larval food plants of known to gardeners, there are many Asclepias variegata – Asclepias lanceolata other native Asclepias species or veteran status. the monarch butterfly (Danaus WHITE MILKWEED ty, FEWFLOWER MILKWEED plexippus). At least 15 species of deserving of wider garden use. Some milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) are native species are becoming more widely to Mississippi. In order to support known, and increasingly available in the monarch populations and migrations, it nursery trade. By becoming acquainted is recommended that species native to with a property’s specific environmental the state be planted. Most Mississippi conditions, species best-suited to the milkweed species bloom from late site may then be selected. In general, Asclepias verticillata – Asclepias longifolia milkweeds native to moist or wetland spring through early summer, although WHORLED MILKWEED LONGLEAF MILKWEED some, such as A. lanceolata, persist habitats are easier to grow than those during the hot summer months. originating from dry sites. Native Asclepias Species Rare to Mississippi Asclepias michauxii Asclepias viridiflora MICHAUX’S MILKWEED GREEN COMET MILKWEED Asclepias hirtella Asclepias humistrata Asclepias obovata Asclepias purpurascens Asclepias rubra GREEN MILKWEED PINEWOODS MILKWEED PINELAND MILKWEED PURPLE MILKWEED RED MILKWEED Asclepias viridis Asclepias perennis GREEN ANTELOPEHORN Mississippi State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disabili age, sex, origin, national religion, color, race, of State on does the not basis University discriminate Mississippi SWAMP MILKWEED All images, http://www.southeasternflora.com/, except image of Purple Milkweed, source: http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/FullImageDisplay.aspx?documentid=32972 Southeastern Flora is an online resource to assist in identifying native or naturalized wildflowers in the SE United States. Easily identify trees, shrubs, vines, and herbaceous plants without knowing how to read a plant identification key..