Identification
This native perennial grows up to 5 feet tall in or near water. The long, narrow pointed leaves are opposite on erect stems and branches (A,B). Like many milkweeds, the stem and leaves contain a toxic white latex. The unusual rose and white flowers are arranged in domed clusters at the ends of the stems and branches (C). Individual flowers have 5 erect hoods each with a curved horn and 5 sharply downward curved petals (D). The erect spindle-shaped seed pods (E) contain many flat brown seeds each with attached fluffy hairs.
Grows in or near water on the floodplain, flowering in June, July and August. Uncommon in moist or wet areas at both Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods.
Swamp Milkweed’s fragrant flowers are visited by many species of nectar loving insects. Its foliage is a food source for caterpillars of the Monarch butterfly and several other insect species.
Another common name is Rose Silk-Weed.
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