Carolina Milkweed
Asclepias cinerea
Scott Allen Davis
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Genus:
- Asclepias
- Species:
- Asclepias cinerea
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 2-3 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Bloom Months:
- may, jun, jul, aug, sep
- Bloom Colors:
- White, Purple
Native Range
United States: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to sandy pine flatwoods and scrub habitats
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).
Notes: Light required for germination; do not cover seed.
Source: OpenAI GPT-4o