Common Milkweed Asclepias Syrica 1 Gal

Common milkweed is a native, herbaceous perennial wildflower in the Apocynaceae (dogbane) family. It is a rough, weedy Missouri native perennial that can grow up to 5 feet tall. The plant has oval and opposite leaves that are 15-20 centimeters (6-8 inches) long and 5-9 centimeters (2-3.6 inches) wide. The upper surface of the leaves is light to dark green while the lower surface is lighter, almost white at times. The plant produces greenish-pink to rosy pink to purplish-pink flowers that are strongly and sweetly scented. The flowers are borne in nearly spherical clusters (umbels) at the top of the plant, usually with 2-5 clusters per plant. The fruits (pods) are about 10 centimeters (4 inches) long, inflated and covered in little finger-like projections. They are green initially, turning brown as they mature. They split open revealing 50-100 seeds each with a white, fluffy coma ("parachute") that allows wind dispersal. Common milkweed is Nature’s mega food market for insects. Over 450 insects are known to feed on some portion of the plant, including the Monarch butterfly.