Poke Milkweed
Asclepias exaltata
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
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Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Genus:
- Asclepias
- Species:
- Asclepias exaltata
- USDA Symbol:
- ASEX
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 180 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pale pink, greenish white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Brown-belted bumble (Bombus griseocollis) Moths:Milkweed Tussock Moth (Euchaetes egle) Butterflies:⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- monarch butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, other butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage preferred
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers forested or shaded areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination. Surface sow or barely cover. Optimal germination temperature is 70-75°F.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI