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southern milkweed
Scientific Name: Asclepias viridula
Family: Asclepiadaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names: FL (Apalachicola (=green) milkweed)
Tropical Milkweed and Southern Milkweed: Essential Plants for Monarch Butterflies
Milkweed, specifically the genus Asclepias, is vital for Monarch butterfly survival, as it serves as the sole food source for their caterpillars. Several species are discussed, each with unique characteristics and regional importance.
Considerations for Pets
- The text mentions that the toxicity of milkweeds varies by species and tends to be greater in milkweeds in the southern United States.
Scientific Names and Common Names
- Asclepias curassavica: Tropical Milkweed, Southern Milkweed (red and yellow flowers), Mexican Milkweed
- Asclepias viridula: Southern Milkweed
- Asclepias syriaca: Common Milkweed
- Asclepias variegata: White Milkweed
- Asclepias exaltata: Poke Milkweed
- Asclepias perennis: White Swamp/Aquatic Milkweed
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Family: Asclepiadaceae (milkweed) - for Asclepias viridula
- Synonyms: None listed for Asclepias viridula
Distribution and Habitat
- Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica): Popular in butterfly gardens, naturalized perennial in the southern U.S., specifically the coastal southern U.S., California, Gulf Coast to the Atlantic, and southern Florida.
- Southern Milkweed (Asclepias viridula): Moist pinelands. Native to Florida, SC, TN, TX, WV.
- Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca): Southern Ontario in pastures, meadows, waste places, roadsides, and cultivated areas.
- Native Range: Central and Southern California.
- Showy Milkweed: Southern B.C.
- White Swamp/Aquatic Milkweed (Asclepias perennis): Occasional in southern Illinois, wetland species.
Ecological Role
- Milkweed is essential for Monarch butterflies as the sole host plant for their larvae. Without milkweed, Monarchs cannot successfully reproduce, leading to population declines.
- In warmer environments like southern Texas, the U.S. Gulf Coast, and California, tropical milkweed may not die back in the fall, continuing to flower and produce new leaves.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Southern Milkweed beetle (Labidomera clivicollis)
- Monarch butterflies rely on milkweed as a larval host plant.
- Often found with Salvia apiana, Eriogonum fasciculatum polifolium, Quercus engelmannii, Diplacus sp. in Southern California.
Further Information
- View Southern milkweed observations on iNaturalist.
- View Southern milkweed plant information at Wildflower.org.
- Monarchs and Milkweed of Los Angeles project on iNaturalist.
- Armstrong Garden Center carries Asclepias.