Asclepias incarnata

This milkweed is easily distinguished by its bright pink flowers and long narrow leaves

Asclepias incarnata swamp milkweed

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The swamp milkweed is smooth, with relatively narrow, lance-shaped leaves. Its magenta-pink flowers form in small umbels and, like other milkweeds, feature a 5-parted crown with five downward-facing petals and five horns emerging from tubular hoods. The curved horns arch over a short central column. Slender pods, about 4 inches long, contain numerous flat, brown seeds, each equipped with a fluffy parachute. When these pods split open, the seeds are dispersed by the wind. Swamp milkweed thrives in wetlands and swampy areas, and is pollinated by butterflies and bees.

Habitat & Range

Found in swamps, floodplains, and wet meadows. Prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soils.

Present throughout the state.

Range: From British Columbia to Newfoundland and Labrador and in most of the United States except the west coast states.

Wetland codes

EMP:	OBL
NCNE:	OBL

Phenology

Flowers June to August.

Characteristics

Inflorescence several clustered umbels

Flowers 5-parted crown: 5 downwardly reflexed pink or magenta petals supporting 5 cream (or pinkish) incurved vertical horns sticking out from cylindrical hoods & arching over a shorter column(containing stamens and carpels) in the center

Leaves simple, opposite, entire, lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate; tapering at the tip; short stalk

Stems erect, branched above; 3-5 feet long; mostly glabrous

Fruit slender pod 3 to 4″ long; green when young turning brown at maturity; seeds with white & fluffy parachutes attached

Height avg. height 4 feet, can grow up to 5 feet

Plant Codes

S-rank: S5 (Secure)
G-rank: G5 (Secure)

Faunal Associations

Main pollinators are butterflies and bees. Monarch caterpillars feed on the leaves.

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