SafePlants

Mead's Milkweed (Asclepias meadii)

Mead's Milkweed is a rare perennial herb native to the American Midwest, recognized for its conservation status and unique ecological role.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

• Scientific Name: Asclepias meadii Torr. ex A. Gray
• Common Name: Mead's Milkweed
• Family: Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)
• Taxonomic Rank: Species
• The text mentions the synonym Asclepias meadir, although there appears to be a typographical error ("Asclepias meadir'").

Distribution and Habitat

• Mead's Milkweed is native to the American Midwest.
• Historically, its range extended throughout much of what is now considered the tallgrass prairie country, from eastern Kansas to Indiana, and as far north as Wisconsin.
• Currently, it is primarily found in eastern Kansas and Missouri.
• It thrives in tallgrass prairies, meadows, and glade communities.

Ecological Role

• Mead's Milkweed is a plant of virgin prairies.
• It is considered a threatened species at the federal level.

Morphological Characteristics

• It is a nonwoody, erect plant with a smooth stem.
• The plant features 2-6 pairs of opposite, narrow, tapering leaves.
• The stems, leaves, and flowers are green in color.
• Plants typically reach a height of around 20 cm.

Quirky Facts

• Mead's Milkweed can take 5-8 years to reach flowering.
• It can reproduce asexually or by seed.
• It is an inconspicuous plant, often hidden by surrounding tallgrass prairie.

Further Information

• The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has an approved recovery plan for Mead's Milkweed.
• The Kansas Biological Survey has located and documented Mead's Milkweed plants.
• Discover Life provides information on the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Asclepias meadii.