poke milkweed
Asclepias exaltata
Unlike its sun-loving cousins, this species is uniquely adapted to thrive in the dappled shade of deep woodland canopies.
- Scientific name
- Asclepias exaltata
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Gentianales › Apocynaceae › Asclepias
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Moist deciduous forests, woodland edges, and shaded clearings.
- Diet
- Photosynthetic (Sunlight, water, and soil nutrients).
- Range
- Eastern North America, Appalachian Mountains, Great Lakes Region, Southern Ontario
- Size
- 1 to 2 meters in height
- Lifespan
- 10-25 years (Perennial)
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat loss due to development, forest fragmentation, and competition from invasive species like Garlic Mustard.
- Safe to approach?
- Generally harmless to observe. Avoid contact with the white milky sap, which is a skin and eye irritant. Do not ingest any part of the plant as it contains toxic cardiac glycosides. If sap contacts skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water; if ingested, seek medical attention.
Asclepias exaltata is a species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae known by the common names poke milkweed and tall milkweed . It is native to eastern North America. It blooms from late spring to early summer. The flowers are green and white. Poke milkweed is found in moist woodland habitats. It grows in moist soil and sunny or partly shaded places. It grows from 0.6 to 1.5 meters (2.0 to 4.9 ft) tall.
Photo: Michael J. Papay, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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