COMMON MILKWEED

Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) is the tallest of the three milkweeds described in those pages. It can reach a height of 2 meters (6 ft.) and it DOES spread from a network of rhizomes in addition to the seeds from the pods (see photos below).

The pink clusters of flowers appear ALONG the top of the stems, not just on top. The opposite leaves are large and round at the tip. The veins show a parallel pattern. This milkweed also produces latex when cut, hence the common name of the plant.

The seedpods are plump and covered with soft spikes. The silk from this milkweed has been exploited commercially, as insulation for winter coats for example.

COLLECTING THE SEEDS: Unless you want your milkweed to spread from seed all over the area around the plants, you need to deadhead the pods when they are forming.

Or, if you want to collect the seeds, the time for harvesting the pods is when they start to split open. Once the pods are fully open, it doesn’t take long before the wind quickly disperses all those beautiful little silky parachutes.

Common milkweed spring shoots

Common milkweed young plants

Common milkweed plant,
Photo by Derek Ramsay – 2007

Common milkweed flowers
and broad leaves, phot0
by James Steakley

Common milkweed seedpod,

photo by H.Zell, Wikimedia.

Common milkweed seeds,
photo by Brocken Inaglory

Common milkweed root
system, photo by
Michelle Clay

Common milkweed rhizomes
with stem buds,
photo by Michelle Clay