View source for Swamp Milkweed

{{SPlantbox
|familia=Apocynaceae
|genus=Asclepias
|species=incarnata
|common_name=Swamp Milkweed, Rose Milkweed, Swamp Silkweed, White Indian Hemp
|habit=herbaceous
|Max ht box=1
|Max ht metric=m
|Max wd box=1.5
|Max wd metric=m
|flower_season=early summer, mid summer
|flowers=pink, white
|Temp Metric=°F
|image=Swamp_milkweed_monarch.jpg
|image_width=240
|image_caption=Swamp Milkweed
}}
'''''Asclepias incarnata''''', with common names such as: '''Swamp Milkweed'''''',  is a [[herbaceous]], [[perennial plant|perennial]] plant species native to North America.<ref>http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=asin</ref> It is found growing in damp to wet soils and also is cultivated as a garden plant for its attractive [[flower]]s, which are visited by [[butterflies]] and other [[pollinators]] due to its copious production of [[nectar]].  Like most other [[milkweed]]s, it has [[sap]] containing toxic chemicals,<ref>A field guide to venomous animals and poisonous plants, North America, north of Mexico, isbn 9780395936085</ref> a characteristic that repels insects and herbivorous animals. 

Swamp milkweed is an upright, 100- to 150-centimeter (39- to 59-inches) tall plant, growing from thick, fleshy, white [[root]]s. Typically, its [[Plant stem|stem]]s are branched and the clump forming plants emerge in late spring after most other plants have begun growth for the year. The oppositely arranged leaves are 7 to 15 centimeters (2.75 to 6 inches) long and are narrow and [[lanceolate|lance-shaped]], with the ends tapering to a sharp point. 

The plants bloom in early to mid-summer, producing small, [[fragrant]], pink to mauve (sometimes white) colored flowers in rounded [[umbel]]s.  The flower color may vary from darker shades of purple to soft, pinkish purple and a white flowering form exists as well.  The flowers have five reflexed petals and an elevated central crown. After blooming, green seed pods, approximately 12 centimeters (4.5 inches) long, are produced that when ripe, split open. They then release light to dark brown, flat [[seed]]s that are attached to silver-white silky-hairs ideal for catching the wind. This natural mechanism for seed dispersal is similar to that used by other milkweed plants.<ref>http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/plants/floramw/species/asclinca.htm</ref>

It is one of the best attractors of the [[Monarch Butterfly]], which feeds on the flowers and lays her eggs on the plants. The emerging caterpillars feed on the leaves.  

Blooming occurs in mid to late summer and after blooming; long, relatively thin, rounded, pods are produced that grow uprightly. The pods split open in late summer to late fall, releasing seeds that are attached to silky hairs, which act as parachutes that carry the seeds on the currents of the wind. 

This species is cultivated frequently and a number of cultivars are available.  They are used especially in gardens designed to attract butterflies.  The nectar of the plant attracts many other species of butterflies and insects as well.  The plants are also sold as freshly cut flowers, mostly for their long-lasting flower display, but sometimes, for the distinctive seed pods.

{{Inc|
Asclepias incarnata, Linn. Glabrous or nearly so, leafy and branching, 3 ft.: Lvs. opposite, oblong-lanceolate: corolla rose-purple to flesh-color, with oblong lobes: pods glabrous, erect. B.R. 250. Var. piilchra, Pers. Hirsute, and Lvs. broader. Swamps.—Common.
}}

==Cultivation==
Swamp milkweed prefers moisture retentive to damp soils in full sun to partial shade and typically, is found growing wild near the edges of ponds, lakes, streams, and low areas&mdash;or along ditches.<ref>http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/Plant.asp?code=G410</ref> The plants have specialized roots for living in heavy wet soils. The scented, thick, white roots are adapted to live in environments low in oxygen. 

===Propagation===


===Pests and diseases===


==Varieties==


==Gallery==

<gallery perrow=5>
Image:Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata Emerging Leaves 2000px.JPG|Leaves emerging from a stalk
File:Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata Pods.jpg|Closed seed pods
File:Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata 'Ice Ballet' Open Pods.jpg|Open seed pods
Image:Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata Flowers Closeup 2800px.jpg|Closeup of purple-pink Swamp Milkweed flowers
File:Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata 'Ice Ballet' Flowers.jpg|'Ice Ballet' with white flowers
File:Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata Spotted.jpg|A variety with dark-purple spotted flowers
File:Monarch Butterfly Danaus plexippus Vertical Caterpillar 2000px.jpg|Mature caterpillar of [[Monarch Butterfly]] on Swamp Milkweed
File:Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata Insect Feeding 3008px.jpg|[[Sphex ichneumoneus]] feeding
</gallery>

==References==
<references/>
*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->
<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->

==External links==
*{{wplink}}

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