Pinewoods milkweed is a perennial plant in the dogbane (Apocynaceae) family that is native to the southeastern USA including NC. It is found throughout the sandhills and sandy woodland edges from NC south to FL and west to LA. The Genus honors Asclepius (Asklepios), the Greek god of medicine; the species name is from the Latin humis (“ground”) and sternere (“to spread”), reflecting the plant’s sprawling growth. The plant grows from an erect to somewhat prostrate form and can be 1-3 feet tall with a similar spread. Grow in sun in sandy, well-drained soil with acid to neutral pH. Will not tolerate salt spray or brackish water. Propagate from root cuttings or seeds, spring or fall. The showy pink and white flowers occur in clusters in lates spring to early summer. The evergreen leaves have pink to purple veins. Grows best in meadows or naturalized areas; also consider planting pinewood milkweed in drought tolerant, native gardens, but as a specimen plant because of its sprawling habit. Researchers have found this milkweed species is an important host for Monarch butterflies making the Atlantic migration. Milkweed is an important food source for Monarch butterfly caterpillars. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant insect or disease problems. Common milkweed pests (aphids, milkweed beetles, milkweed bugs. Monarch larvae, and milkweed tussock moth larvae may appear on the plants across the growing season.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Prostrate
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Blue; Green; Purple/Lavender
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Fleshy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are evergreen, blue-green to purple, ovate, simple, opposite, clasping and sessile, with distinctive pink to purple veins.
Flower color
Pink; Purple/Lavender; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Umbel
Flower shape
Star; Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Terminal or upper axillary umbels or of up to 30 or more small flowers with 5 pink/gray petals, with reflexed pink corollas, whitish hoods and horns. Blooms in spring and summer.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Cream/Tan; Green
Fruit type
Follicle
Fruit size
> 3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Fruit detail
Fruits are follicles forming upright 3- to 6-inch long pods filled with brown seeds attached to coma (white-fluffy fiber) that facilitates wind dispersal
Stem color
Green; Purple/Lavender
Stem detail
Smooth, purplish, unbranched stems occur in clusters, with some lying nearly flat against the ground.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
SE USA
Distribution
AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC
Wildlife value
Nectar and larval host plant that attracts bees, butterflies (notably Monarchs), hummingbirds (milkweeds are a source of insects as well as nectar), moths (especially milkweed tussock moths and their larvae), pollinators, predatory Insects, and specialized bees.
Milkweed Bug; Aphids on Ornamental Landscape Plants
Problems
Contact Dermatitis; Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses
Resistant to
Deer; Drought
Propagation
Root Cutting; Seed
Poison severity
Low
Poison symptoms
Can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weakness, lethargy, and confusion if eaten in quantity. Milky sap can cause contact dermatitis and eye irritation.