Poke Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata)

Poke milkweed is another species that doesn't look like a milkweed at first glance.  Its leaves are smooth, not as thick as common milkweed, and the shape of the leaf reminds me of a single ash leaf (although the shape can be oval to egg shaped).  Poke milkweed grows to 6 feet tall in woodlands, and if grown in too much sun, they lose some of their green color, as you can see on the lower leaves of the plant below.  They are native to eastern United States, with Iowa being on their western border.

My poke milkweed were fairly healthy with all 6 plants surviving.  I had a total of 8 monarchs:  5 eggs and 3 larvae throughout the summer.  You can see one of the eggs on the plant above.  Various websites report that they are not invasive, and in the wild the flowers attract flocks of butterflies (and rabbits).  The loosely packed flower clusters droop elegantly from slender stalks, somewhat like fireworks. 

For more information about growing conditions, seed germination, and photos, go to the Finger Lakes Native Plant Society's website:  http://flnps.org/native-plants/peaceful-gem-hiding-our-woods

Next week:  butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)