Carolina Milkweed

Asclepias cinerea

Carolina Milkweed

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