Plant Detail: Asclepias incarnata

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Plant Detail

Asclepias incarnata

* Common Name:	swamp milkweed, rose milkweed, pink milkweed
* Genus:	*Asclepias*
* Species:	*incarnata*
Subspecies:
* Family (scientific):	Asclepiadaceae
* Family (common):	Milkweed
Synonyms :
* Distribution in Canada:	Manitoba Ontario Quebec New Brunswick Nova Scotia P.E.I.

Photographer: Debby Morton.

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Habitat

Ecozone(s):

Atlantic Maritime
Mixedwood Plains
Prairies

Natural Habitat(s):

Wet Meadow/Prairie/Field (less than 25% cover)
Riparian (edge)
Swamp/Marsh (nutrient rich)

Habitat Garden(s):

Pond Edge/Wetland Garden
Pond/Standing Water
Butterfly

Erosion Control?

Characteristics		Growing Conditions
* Plant Type:	Wildflower	Moisture Requirements: Moist, Wet Light Requirements: Sun Soil Requirements: Clay, Loam Temperature Zone: 3
Evergreen?	No
Average Height:	30 to 150 cm
Tolerances:

Flower Info		Fruit/Seed Info
Showy flowers?	Yes	Showy fruit/seeds?	Yes
Bloom time:	Jun to Aug	Edible for humans?	No
Flower Colour(s):	Purple, Pink	Fruit/Seed Colour(s):	Green

Miscellaneous		Uses
Fragrant Flowers?	Yes	Urban Oasis, Stewards in the City, and Eco Superior are specific Evergreen programs that some plants are used in.
Fragrant Foliage?	No	Program & Other Uses:
Fall colours?	No
Distinctive bark?	No
Poisonous to humans?	Yes
Thorns or prickles?	No
Attracts wildlife?	Butterflies Butterfly Larvae Bees Other Showy Insects
Larval host for:	Monarch, Queen butterfly	Provincial tree/flower?
Plant Watch species?

Asclepias incarnata is now rare in the wild in Manitoba, but is available in native nurseries.
(Prairie Habitats Inc)

POISONOUS PARTS: All parts. Toxic only in large quantities. Symptoms include, vomiting, stupor, weakness, spasms. Toxic Principle: Cardiac glycosides and resinoids.

Although milkweeds are poisonous raw, the young shoots, leaves and seed pods are all edible cooked. (Poisonous Plants of N.C. State)

The flower buds, nectar-sweet flowers and seeds are also edible. (Kershaw)

Plants can be divided in early spring, or started from seeds that mature in early fall.

'Incarnata' means red or flesh-coloured. (Dickinson et al, Wildflower, Ont.ROM)

Poisonous Plants of N.C. State

Missouri Botanical Garden, 200

David Suzuki Foundation

National Audubon Society: Field Guide to North American Butterflies
National Audubon Society
Alfred A. Knopf, New York
1981
ISBN: 0-394-51914-0

National Audubon Society: Field Guide to North American Wildflowers, Eastern Region
National Audubon Society
Alfred A. Knopf, New York
1979
ISBN: 0-394-50432-1

Ontario Wildflowers
Linda Kershaw
Lone Pine Publishing
2002
ISBN 1-55101-285-7

Ontario Native Plants: 2002 Resource Guide
Ontario Native Plants Company
2002

The ROM Field Guide to Wildflowers of Ontario
Timothy Dickinson, Deborah Metsger, Jenny Bull, Richard Dickinson
Royal Ontario Museum, McClelland and Stewart
2004
0-7710-7652-5

The Native Plant Database is created by volunteers who do their best to add accurate information to the database. While most entries are accurate, errors may occur. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information and we are not responsible for any errors in the information or for any adverse effects relating to the use of the plants or the information. You should seek medical advice or consult appropriate experts prior to relying on the information in the database. If you notice a problem with the database please let us know by sending an email to nativeplant@evergreen.ca so we can correct it.