Toxic Plant Connu comme étant toxique - All parts of whorled milkweed contain cardiac glycosides and are toxic if eaten in sufficient quantities. These compounds can affect the heart and digestive system.

Plant Names

image of Plante à fleurs
Asclepias verticillata
Whorled Milkweed
Asclépiade verticillée

Synonyms

eastern whorled milkweed

Plant Characteristics

Couleur de floraison: Blanc Bloom Period: Jul - Sep
Hauteur max: 2,0 feet
Max Width: 2,0 feet
Light Condition:
Full sun Plus de 6 heures d'ensoleillement par jour
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture dry Tolère des conditions de sol sec
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Vivace des plantes qui reviennent année après année
Gardener Experience:
beginner friendly Suitable for beginner gardeners
does not spread Ne se propage pas de manière incontrôlable
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
row garden Suitable for Right of Way gardens
container suitable Suitable for container garden
school garden Suitable for school gardens
boulevard garden tolerant Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
Ecological Benefits: No ecological benefits information available.
Tolerates:
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
Rabbit Resistant Rabbit resistant
Limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
causes skin rashes This plant causes skin rashes

Seed and plant distribution status

No seeds available for this plant.
Nous acceptions les semences de cette plante

Faits intéressants

Whorled Milkweed is best suited for sunny, dry to medium soils and works well in prairies, meadows, and naturalized plantings. It is typically less aggressive than common milkweed, making it easier to manage in garden settings. Its fine, thread-like leaves give it a softer texture compared to other milkweeds. It is an excellent choice for prairie gardens, dry meadows, sunny borders and naturalized plantings. It forms upright clumps and is generally well behaved. It is very drought tolerant once established and does not need regular watering. Avoid rich, heavily amended soil; lean, well-drained soil helps maintain a sturdy plant. Its airy form allows it to mix well with other native plants, adding diversity and movement to late-season plantings.

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Oui

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Asclepias verticillata
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Plaines boréales
  • Prairies
  • Plaines à forêts mixtes

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Asclepias verticillata

Specialized Bees Supported by Asclepias verticillata

No bee data available for this plant.

Complementary Plants

  • No complementary plants found.

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)
  • Asclepias (Milkweed Cultivars)
  • Asclepias curassavica (Tropical Milkweed)
  • Butomus umbellatus (Flowering Rush)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Couvrir très légèrement
  • Sow by March
  • Stratification duration: 30 days
  • Self-seeding

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: September
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Pods are slightly open and seeds inside are dark
  • Harvesting:
    • Utiliser la main pour détacher de la tige principale
  • Seed viability test:
    • Pas de test requis avant le don
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/8 teaspoon
  • Seed storage:
    • Sécher à l'air dans un sac en papier ou contenant ouvert, pour quelques jours jusqu'à sec
    • Secouer de temps à autre pour prévenir la moisissure
  • Cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
  • Remove non-seed material
  • Harvesting video: Watch here

Toxicity Notes

All parts of whorled milkweed contain cardiac glycosides and are toxic if eaten in sufficient quantities. These compounds can affect the heart and digestive system.