Swamp milkweed
Asclepias incarnata

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows about 1 m high. It spreads about 60 cm wide. It produces stout stems. The leaves are narrow and sword shaped on thick stems. The flowers are rosy pink. The fruit are erect, pointed seed heads.

There are 100 Asclepias species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows well beside water. It needs a sunny position. It suits hardiness zones 3-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Canada, Europe, France, Germany, Netherlands, North America (country/location of origin), USA

How it is used for food

CAUTION: It contains a glucoside asclepiadin. It is poisonous. The unopened flower buds are used as a favouring and thickener in soup. The young fruit are boiled and eaten. The flower clusters can be boiled down to make a sugary syrup.

Edible parts

Flowers, leaves, seeds pod

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Algodoncillo, Purple milkweed, Rose milkweed

Synonyms

Acerates incarnata Decne.; Asclepias albiflora Raf.; Asclepias amoena Brongn. [Illegitimate]; Asclepias incarnata f. albiflora (Raf.) A. Heller; Asclepias incarnata f. candida Fernald; Asclepias incarnata var. glabra Eaton & Wright; Asclepias incarnata var. longifolia A. Gray; Asclepias incarnata f. rosea B. Boivin; Asclepias maritima Raf. ex Decne.; Asclepias verecunda Salisb.;