Asclepias exaltata
poke milkweed
Overview
Asclepias exaltata is an upright herbaceous perennial in the milkweed family, native to open woods, forest edges, and clearings across eastern North America. Unlike common milkweed of open fields, it grows in dappled shade, reaching 36-72 inches (90-180 cm) on a slender, usually unbranched stem. The broad, oval to elliptic leaves are 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) long, thin-textured, and tapered at both ends, set in opposite pairs. In early to midsummer it produces loose, drooping clusters of flowers that hang on long stalks. Each flower has reflexed petals in greenish-white to pale lavender above a paler crown, giving the cluster an open, airy look. Stems and leaves exude milky white sap when broken, containing cardiac glycosides that are toxic if eaten. Slender, upright seed pods follow and split to release flat seeds carried on silky hairs. The plant is a larval host and nectar source for monarch butterflies. It needs woodland shade and moisture and declines in hot, dry, fully exposed sites.
Native Range
Native to eastern North America, from Quebec and Minnesota south through the Appalachian Mountains to Georgia, in open deciduous woods, forest edges, and shaded clearings.Suggested Uses
Used in woodland and shade native gardens, monarch and pollinator plantings in part shade, and naturalized forest edges. It is among the milkweeds that grow in shaded sites rather than open sun. The flowers feed bees and butterflies, and the foliage feeds monarch caterpillars.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 6'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Flowering runs through early and midsummer, mainly June into July. The drooping clusters open greenish-white to pale lavender flowers that draw bees and butterflies. Slender seed pods then ripen and split to release silk-tufted seeds.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
greenish-white to pale lavenderFoliage Description
medium greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight