Plant Identification Database:
Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed)
Order: Gentianales; Class: Dicotyledonae

The plant data on this site are a record of Bob Ronnow's field observations
which vary in accuracy and change with experience. For accurate and complete
information please use the links provided for each plant species and family.

Plant Families
Glossary of Botanical Terms
CLASSIFICATION
LEAVES
FLOWERS
FRUIT
STEM
ECOLOGY
CLASSIFICATION
Common Name (Image)
Scientific Name (Notes)
Genus
LV: Attachment
LV: Shape
LV: Edge
LV: Apex/Base
LV: Size/Surface
FL: Petals/Sepals
FL: Color
FL: Arrangement
FL: Size/Season
FL: Stamen/Pistil/Ovary
FR: Type
FR: Color
FR: Size/Season
ST: Type/Size/Growth
ST: Surface/Color
ST: Buds/Roots
EC: Edible
EC: Habitat
EC: Observations
Common Name (Image)
Scientific Name (Notes)
Other Names
Asclepiadaceae: LV: u. opposite, decussate, colleters, simple, entire; FL: actinomorphic, 5 relexed petals, 5 united sepals, 5-part corona, perfect, 5 stamens, ovary superior; FR: u. follicle, u. comose seeds; ST: milky sap; EC: u. poisonous, u. tropical
 u. opposite, decussate, colleters simple Entire actinomorphic, P: 5 reflexed; S: 5 united; 5-part corona White; Orange; Red; Pink; Green; Brown perfect, S: 5; O: superior u. follicle, u. comose seeds milky sap u. poisonous u. tropical Asclepiadaceae: LV: u. opposite, decussate, colleters, simple, entire; FL: actinomorphic, 5 relexed petals, 5 united sepals, 5-part corona, perfect, 5 stamens, ovary superior; FR: u. follicle, u. comose seeds; ST: milky sap; EC: u. poisonous, u. tropical,
Blunt-leaved milkweed Asclepias amplexicaulis Asclepias Opposite, Clasping, decussate Whole, Elliptical Sinuate A: Rounded; B: Truncate >6" 5 parts Green; Purple Umbel, Terminal Spring; Summer Follicle (simple pistil, 1 suture) Herb, >1' poisonous Wellfleet Cape Cod Blunt-leaved milkweed Asclepias amplexicaulis Clasping milkweed
Poke milkweed Asclepias exaltata Asclepias Opposite, Petiole short (<1/2 leaf length) Whole, Oblong Entire A: Acute; B: Acute 5 parts, P: Reflexed White Raceme, Axillary; Drooping Summer Follicle Herb, >1' Forest Poke milkweed Asclepias exaltata
Swamp milkweed Asclepias incarnata Asclepias Opposite, Decussate Whole Entire 5 parts Follicle Wetland Swamp milkweed Asclepias incarnata
Common milkweed Asclepias syriaca Asclepias Opposite, Decussate Whole, Oblong Entire 5 parts Follicle leaf cooked; flower cooked; fruit cooked; stem cooked Roadside; Grasslands/Fields Common milkweed Asclepias syriaca
Orange milkweed Asclepias tuberosa Asclepias Alternate, Sessile Whole, Linear Entire A: Acute; B: Obtuse >1" 5 parts Orange Umbel, Terminal <1", Summer Follicle (simple pistil, 1 suture) >1" Herb, >1', Erect Tomentose AZ; Cape Cod - Audubon Orange milkweed Asclepias tuberosa Butterfly-weed; Pleurisy root
Black swallow-wort Cynanchum nigrum Cynanchum Opposite, Decussate Whole Entire 5 parts Follicle Black swallow-wort Cynanchum nigrum
Common Name (Image)
Scientific Name (Notes)
Genus
LV: Attachment
LV: Shape
LV: Edge
LV: Apex/Base
LV: Size/Surface
FL: Petals/Sepals
FL: Color
FL: Arrangement
FL: Size/Season
FL: Stamen/Pistil/Ovary
FR: Type
FR: Color
FR: Size/Season
ST: Type/Size/Growth
ST: Surface/Color
ST: Buds/Roots
EC: Edible
EC: Habitat
EC: Observations
Common Name (Image)
Scientific Name (Notes)
Other Names
CLASSIFICATION
LEAVES
FLOWERS
FRUIT
STEM
ECOLOGY
CLASSIFICATION