Naming |
| Botanical Name: |
Asclepias syriaca
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| Common Names: |
Butterfly Flower, Silkweed, Virginia Silk
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| Key Name: |
Common Milkweed
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| Parts Used: |
Leaves, flowers, seeds (for ecological use)
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| Sister Plants: |
Asclepias incarnata, Asclepias tuberosa, Asclepias verticillata
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| Comments: |
Native perennial vital for monarchs and pollinators; thrives in disturbed areas
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Characteristics |
| Identifying Character: |
Perennial herb (2-6 ft), erect stems with milky sap, broad oval leaves, pink-purple flower clusters, spiny seed pods
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| Stem: |
Erect, 2-6 ft, green with milky sap, unbranched or slightly branched
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| Leaves: |
Broad, oval, 4-8 inches, opposite, dark green with white veins
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| Flowers: |
Pink-purple clusters, blooming June-August, rich in nectar
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| Fruit: |
Spiny green pods (2-4 inches), releasing seeds with white floss
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| Taste: |
Bitter (leaves), mild (flowers)
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| Odour: |
Sweet, vanilla-like scent from flowers
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| Root: |
Deep taproot, spreads via rhizomes
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| Image URL: |
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Distribution |
| Distribution: |
Eastern and Central North America, naturalized elsewhere
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| Cultivation: |
Plant in full sun, well-drained soil; sow seeds in fall or spring after cold stratification (3-6 weeks at 5°C); space 18-24 inches apart; avoid transplanting established plants; water weekly until established, then only during drought; no fertilizers needed
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| Harvest: |
Seeds: Fall when pods dry; Flowers: Summer
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Medical |
| Therapeutic Action: |
Not typically used medicinally, ornamental
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| Medical Uses: |
Traditionally used for respiratory issues or as a mild laxative (use with caution); not a primary medicinal plant
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| Constituents: |
Cardenolides, latex, flavonoids
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| Solvents: |
Water, alcohol (tincture, rare)
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| Dosage: |
Not applicable for general use
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| Administration: |
N/A
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| Formulas: |
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| Contra Indications: |
Toxic if ingested in large amounts; sap may irritate skin; avoid pesticides; consult expert
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| Preparation: |
Cold stratify seeds in damp sand for 3-6 weeks at 5°C, then sow in pots or directly in soil; avoid overwatering
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| Chinese: |
No documented use in Traditional Chinese Medicine
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| Veterinary: |
Used for habitat support in livestock areas
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| Homeopathic: |
No known homeopathic use documented
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Pollination and Pollinators |
| Apis: |
No
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| Pollinator: |
1
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| Pollen: |
Yes
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| Pollen Notes: |
Pollinia attach to insects (bees, butterflies) for cross-pollination
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| Nectar: |
Yes
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| Nectar Notes: |
Nectar-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds; key for monarch support
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Other |
| Non-Medical Uses: |
Ornamental, habitat for monarchs, fiber from floss
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| Culinary Uses: |
Young shoots and flower buds cooked; not widely eaten
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| History: |
Used by Native Americans for food and fiber; promoted for monarch conservation since 1990s
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| Reference: |
Plants For A Future; Monarch Joint Venture
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| URL: |
https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Asclepias+syriaca
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| Share: |
Private
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