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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Asclepias verticillata

Whorled Milkweed

Scientific Name:

Asclepias verticillata

Genus:

Asclepias

Species Epithet:

verticillata

Common Name:

Whorled Milkweed

Plant Type

Herb/Wildflower

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Invasive Status:

(*Key)

Size:

0-1 ft., 1-3 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

White, Green

Light:

Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Dry, Moist

Bloom Time:

May, June, July, August, September

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

Barrens, thin soils of rock outcrops (especially mafic rocks), thin woodlands, sandhills. Uncommon in NC mountains, common in piedmont, uncommon in coastal plain.

Leaf Arrangement:

Opposite

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Important for Wildlife

Landscape Value:

Suitable for home landscapes

State Rank:

S5: Secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Asclepias verticillata blossom detail. Blossoms are white with green strongly-reflexed corolla lobes often tinged with purple.

The Scientific Name is Asclepias verticillata. You will likely hear them called Whorled Milkweed. This picture shows the Asclepias verticillata blossom detail. Blossoms are white with green strongly-reflexed corolla lobes often tinged with purple. of Asclepias verticillata

Will Stuart

The leaves of Whorled Milkweed are very slender (1-2 mm wide) with rolled margins.

The Scientific Name is Asclepias verticillata. You will likely hear them called Whorled Milkweed. This picture shows the The leaves of Whorled Milkweed are very slender (1-2 mm wide) with rolled margins. of Asclepias verticillata

Will Stuart

Narrow linear, whorled leaves.

Garden in Orange County, NC

The Scientific Name is Asclepias verticillata. You will likely hear them called Whorled Milkweed. This picture shows the Narrow linear, whorled leaves. of Asclepias verticillata

Bettina Darveaux

Not very showy from a distance and the narrow leaves are practically invisible.

Orange County, NC, cultivated

The Scientific Name is Asclepias verticillata. You will likely hear them called Whorled Milkweed. This picture shows the Not very showy from a distance and the narrow leaves are practically invisible. of Asclepias verticillata

Bettina Darveaux

The flowers have a delicate beauty close-up.

Orange County, NC, cultivated

The Scientific Name is Asclepias verticillata. You will likely hear them called Whorled Milkweed. This picture shows the The flowers have a delicate beauty close-up. of Asclepias verticillata

Bettina Darveaux

Smooth, narrow seed pods (follicles).

Orange Co., NC,-cultivated

The Scientific Name is Asclepias verticillata. You will likely hear them called Whorled Milkweed. This picture shows the Smooth, narrow seed pods (follicles). of Asclepias verticillata

Bettina Darveaux

Close-up of the mature follicles.

Orange Co., NC, -cultivated

The Scientific Name is Asclepias verticillata. You will likely hear them called Whorled Milkweed. This picture shows the Close-up of the mature follicles. of Asclepias verticillata

Bettina Darveaux

The mature follicles will split open releasing numerous seeds with long tufts of white hair.

Orange Co., NC, -cultivated

The Scientific Name is Asclepias verticillata. You will likely hear them called Whorled Milkweed. This picture shows the The mature follicles will split open releasing numerous seeds with long tufts of white hair. of Asclepias verticillata

Bettina Darveaux

Empty follicle having already dispersed its seeds to the winds.

Orange Co., NC, -cultivated

The Scientific Name is Asclepias verticillata. You will likely hear them called Whorled Milkweed. This picture shows the Empty follicle having already dispersed its seeds to the winds. of Asclepias verticillata

Bettina Darveaux

Mature seeds.

Orange Co., NC, -cultivated

The Scientific Name is Asclepias verticillata. You will likely hear them called Whorled Milkweed. This picture shows the Mature seeds. of Asclepias verticillata

Bettina Darveaux

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record

NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/asclepias-verticillata/

Vascular Plants of NC: https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/species_account.php

700 Bird-friendly Plants for NC: https://nc.audubon.org/700
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