Milkweed- Common (Asclepias syriaca)

Milkweed- Common

Asclepias syriaca

Common Milkweed is a perennial plant native to southern Canada and parts of the eastern US. It grows clonally, which means it sends up new shoots of itself. The shoots are edible, and compared to asparagus. Only the shoots of common milkweed are edible, the plant is otherwise toxic. Some have eaten the flower pods as well, but I have no experience with this, and cannot recommend it. They'll grow to be over 7 ft tall with broad, oval-shaped leaves. Flowers range from whitish to purplish, and are quite fragrant, attracting pollinators. All milkweeds are host plants to the Monarch Butterfly larvae. Just in case you are feeling adventurous, here are some helpful tips for harvesting and cooking milkweed shoots . Common Milkweed can adapt to almost any Florida soil type. Save the well amended areas for the fruits and veggies. Common Milkweed needs regular watering throughout it's early days, but is mildly drought tolerant when established. Direct sow in the Fall to let the seeds over-winter for a Spring and Summer bloom. If planting seeds in the Spring or Summer, the seeds need 2-4 weeks of cold/wet stratification.