swamp milkweed

Asclepias incarnata

characteristics

The only wetland milkweed. Perennial with erect stem, green leaves pointed at the tip, rounded at the base. Abundant small, dark pinkish-red, hour-glass shaped flowers. Brownish seed pods persist for winter interest. Self seeds slowly. Adult monarch butterflies like this plant a lot.
This milkweed has become rare in the wild in Manitoba.

All parts are toxic in large quantities.

700,000 seeds/pound; starts from seed, container, sprigs.

habitat

Swamps, sedge meadows, marshes.

uses

Larval host to both monarch and queen butterflies.
Muskrats like to eat the roots.
Cord is made with fibre from the dried plant.