Pinewoods Milkweed
Asclepias humistrata
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Genus:
- Asclepias
- Species:
- Asclepias humistrata
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 1-2 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar, apr, may, jun
- Bloom Colors:
- White, Pink
Native Range
United States: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, 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)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), Queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Butterflies:American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis), Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), Confused Cloudywing (Thorybes confusis), Confused Cloudywing (Thorybes confusis), Dotted Skipper (Hesperia attalus), Dotted Skipper (Hesperia attalus), Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas), Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas), Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Pterourus glaucus), Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Pterourus glaucus), Northern Cloudywing (Cecropterus Herrich-Schäffer), Palamedes Swallowtail (Pterourus palamedes), Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos), Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos), Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus), Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus), Spicebush Swallowtail (Pterourus troilus), Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta), Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta), Whirlabout (Polites vibex), Whirlabout (Polites vibex)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 6.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to sandy, well-drained areas like pine barrens
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: None required
Establishment: Plant is native to Southeast USA on secondary beach dunes, sandhills, and dry disturbed sites.
Source: npn.rngr.net