Poke milkweed (Asclepias exaltata, Amoen. Acad. 3: 404 (1756))

Family: Apocynaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Amoen. Acad. 3: 404 (1756)

Year: 1756

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Asclepias

Vegetable: False

Observations: E. Canada to NC. & E. U.S.A.

Description

Poke milkweed, scientifically known as Asclepias exaltata, is a fascinating and delicate member of the Apocynaceae family. Its intriguing features make it a noteworthy addition to the diverse flora of the eastern regions of North America.

Native to eastern Canada, stretching down through the eastern United States to North Carolina, poke milkweed thrives in deciduous forests and shaded habitats. This geographic span indicates its adaptability and preference for cooler, moist environments typical of temperate broadleaf and mixed forests.

The plant was first described in 1756 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, a testament to its scientific recognition dating back to the 18th century. The detailed description of poke milkweed can be found in Amoenitates Academicae (Volume 3, Page 404).

Poke milkweed is characterized by its tall, slender stems, which typically reach heights of 2 to 5 feet. The leaves are opposite, large, and broadly ovate, providing a lush appearance. The flowers are an elegant feature of this plant, displaying a cluster of small, white to pale green blooms. These flowers not only add a subtle beauty to the woodland understory but are also highly attractive to pollinators, particularly monarch butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects.

The unique ecological role of Asclepias exaltata cannot be understated. Like other milkweed species, it serves as a critical host plant for monarch butterfly larvae. The leaves contain compounds known as cardenolides, which provide the larvae with a chemical defense mechanism against predators.

In addition to its ecological importance, poke milkweed has been noted for its subtle medicinal properties in traditional practices, though it is always advised to exercise caution and consult experts before exploring this aspect further.

A plant with such ecological significance, rooted in historical botanical study, and adorned with elegant floral structures, Asclepias exaltata truly epitomizes the intricate beauty and complexity of our natural world.

Common Names

Eng: poke milkweed, tall milkweed
Fra: asclépiade très grande, grande asclépiade
En: Poke milkweed, Tall milkweed, Common Milkweed
Nl: Zijdeplant
Fr: Asclépiade très grande, Grande asclépiade, Asclépiade de Syrie, Herbe à la ouate, Herbe aux perruches
De: Echte Seidenpflanze, Syrische Seidenpflanze
It: Albero della seta, Lino d’India

Synonyms

• Asclepias syriaca var. exaltata ((L.) L.)
• Asclepias phytolaccoides (G.F.Lyon ex Pursh)
• Asclepias bicknellii (Vail)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Maine (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Darel Hess (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2015 by EOL − Aarongunnar (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 23, 2021 by Rachel Brown (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2017 by Gayle Brown (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2022 by Insecteando Bichos (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 13, 2021 by Katryna Rokicki (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 16, 2020 by Tree Doof (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 28, 2019 by Mac Cheever (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2012 by EOL − Johnny Wilson (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 10, 2014 by EOL − Milo Pyne (cc-by-nc)

Leaf

Taken Jun 12, 2013 by EOL − Jesse Lincoln (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 22, 2014 by EOL − yasingi (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)

Taken Nov 16, 2013 by EOL − Daniel Carter (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 18, 2022 by Sylvie Landry (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 25, 2013 by EOL − Erin Faulkner (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 22, 2014 by EOL − yasingi (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 21, 2014 by EOL − Scott Schuette (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 19, 2014 by EOL − Robert L Curtis (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2014 by EOL − ephraimz (cc-by-nc)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3170307)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:94266-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Asclepias exaltata L.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth