Pictured above: Clasping milkweed (Asclepias amplexicaulis) by Emily Bell. Click on terms for botanical definitions. View post as a PDF.
Clasping milkweed (Asclepias amplexicaulis) is a late spring- through summer- blooming milkweed that occurs in dry sandy areas from sandhills to pine savannahs, open woodlands and fallow fields. Although it has a broad distribution across the eastern US, it is relatively rare in much of its range. In Florida, it is most common in the Panhandle, becoming uncommon into North Central and Northeast Florida and rare into Central Florida.
One of our tallest native milkweeds, its single glabrous stems rise up to 4 feet high and are adorned with large ovate waxy leaves. The common name Clasping is in reference to the leaves, which are oppositely arranged and sessile, giving them an appearance of clasping around the stem. Another distinguishing feature of the leaves is their wavy margins. Flowers occur in solitary terminal clusters of 15–80 individual flowers. The individual flowers are born on 1-inch stalks and have 5 extremely reflexed pink to greenish petals and pink to purplish upright coronas.
Clasping milkweed with large opposite leaves and terminal flower cluster. Photo by Emily Bell
Clasping milkweed flower with reflexed petals and upright corona. Photo by Emily Bell
Clasping milkweed flower cluster with lighter green and pink flowers. Photo by Emily Bell
Like all members of the Asclepias genus, Clasping milkweed is a larval host plant for Monarch, Queen and Soldier butterflies. The plant contains a milky latex that is toxic to most animals, but Monarch, Queen and Soldier caterpillars are adapted to feed on them despite the chemical defense.
Family: Apocynaceae (Dogbane family) Native range: North Florida and scattered occurrences into central Florida To see where natural populations of Clasping milkweedhave been vouchered, visit florida.plantatlas.usf.edu. Lifespan: Perennial Soil: Sand Exposure: Full sun to part shade Growth habit: Up to 4 feet
Clasping milkweed is not generally commercially available. Visit a natural area to see them.
For information on other Asclepiasspecies, see these resources:
Florida milkweed (Asclepias feayi) is a dainty endemic at home in the sandhills and scrubby flatwoods of Central and South Florida. It emerges from winter dormancy in spring and typically blooms mid-summer.
Fewflower milkweed (Asclepias lanceolata) is a delicate wildflower found in swamps and moist to wet pinelands and prairies throughout Florida. Its stunning orange flowers typically bloom late spring through fall.
Swamp milkweed (Asclepias perennis) blooms in late spring through early fall and attracts many pollinators. It is a larval host plant for Monarch, Queen and Soldier butterflies.
Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) has showy pink flowers that typically bloom in summer and attracts many pollinators. It is a larval host for Monarch, Queen and Soldier butterflies.
With its diminutive stature and greenish-yellow flowers, Savannah milkweed (Asclepias pedicellata) is oft overlooked in its native pineland and prairie habitats. It blooms late spring through fall, peaking in summer. Its flowers are attractive to bees, wasps and butterflies. Like all members of the Asclepias genus, Savannah milkweed is a larval host plant for Monarch, Queen and Soldier butterflies. The plant contains a milky latex that is toxic to most animals, but Monarch, Queen and Soldier caterpillars are adapted to feed on them despite the chemical defense.
Green antelopehorn (Asclepiasviridis) is an herbaceous perennial wildflower found in pinelands, pine rocklands and disturbed areas in a few Florida counties. It flowers winter through summer, with peak blooms in spring. Like many members of the milkweed family, Green antelopehorn is a larval host plant for Monarch, Queen and Soldier butterflies. Their caterpillars have adapted to feed on the plant, which contains a milky latex that is toxic to most animals. The flowers are also an important nectar source for bees and wasps.
Longleaf milkweed (Aslcepias longifolia) typically blooms in spring. It is a larval host for Monarch and Queen butterflies, and an important nectar source for bees and wasps.
Pinewoods milkweed (Asclepias humistrata) blooms in spring and summer, attracting many pollinators including wasps and butterflies. It is a larval host for Monarch and Queen butterflies.
Whorled milkweed (Asclepias verticillata) is one of the smaller, more delicate native milkweeds and is easily overlooked when not in bloom. It flowers late spring through late summer/early fall.
Largeflower milkweed (Asclepias connivens) is a perennial wildflower found throughout much of Florida. Its conspicuous flowers appear in late spring through summer in moist pine flatwoods, savannahs and bogs.
Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) is a perennial that produces large, showy clusters of bright orange to reddish flowers from spring through fall. It occurs naturally in sandhills, pine flatwoods, and other sandy uplands as well as along sunny roadsides. It is an exception to the Asclepias genus in that its stem does not contain the milky latex that distinguishes the rest of the genus and gives it the common name “milkweed.”
