Clasping milkweed

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 milkweed have 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 Asclepias species, see these resources:

Florida milkweed

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.
Read more… Florida milkweed

Fewflower milkweed

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.
Read more… Fewflower milkweed

Swamp milkweed

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.
Read more… Swamp milkweed
Hummingbird clearwing (Hemaris thysbe) on Swamp milkweed, Asclepias incarnata

Swamp milkweed

Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata ) has showy pink flowers that typically bloom in summer and attract many pollinators. It occurs naturally in floodplain swamps, hydric hammocks, wet pine flatwoods and marshes.
Read more… Swamp milkweed
Savannah milkweed's greenish-yellow, urn-shaped flowers

Savannah milkweed

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.
Read more… Savannah milkweed
Green antelopehorn in flower.

Green antelopehorn

Green antelopehorn (Asclepias viridis) 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.
Read more… Green antelopehorn

Longleaf milkweed

Longleaf milkweed (Asclepias longifolia ) is a deciduous perennial wildflower that occurs naturally in bogs, moist to wet flatwoods and prairies. It typically blooms in spring but may bloom well into summer or early fall.
Read more… Longleaf milkweed
Whorled milkweed in flower.

Whorled milkweed

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 summer and into early fall.
Read more… Whorled milkweed

Butterflyweed

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.
Read more… Butterflyweed