Home Weed ID Publications Dictionary Links FAQs Login About us		Plant Description: Name: common milkweed Scientific Name: Asclepias syriaca Family: Asclepiadaceae Type: Broadleaf Lifecycle: Perennial Habit: The plant tends to bloom from around June to August but the seedlings do not flower until the second year. Leaves: Leaves are oval shaped anywhere from 10-30 cm long and 5-11 cm wide. The lower surface of the leaves contain fine hairs while the upper portion is lacking hair structures. Leaf Arrangement: Opposite Characteristics: Every part of the plant, mainly the stem, excretes a white/milky sap when broken in two. The stems are initially green but as they mature, form a red tint. The plant's root structure is a taproot with a deep rhizome. Flower Seed Head: Flowers are in clusters of approximately 20-130, located at the end of a stem which is on a long, slender stalk. They are purple to white with a greenish look. Seed Fruit: The fruit is hairy and teardrop-shaped, which are follicles. Each fruit contains numerous seeds of about 6-10 mm in length. The seeds are flat and brown and have some silky hairs. Where Found: The common milkweed is found mainly in the northeastern US, Virginia to Georgia, and west to the Rocky Mountains as well. The plant has been found to grow in meadows, roadsides, reduced-tillage fields, and some other open habitats. Control Options Related Plants Terms and Definitions Additional Images:
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