Asclepias viridis, Green Milkweed

Range and Variability.

If you live in the range of southeastern Canada or in an area with historic dry prairie communities in range within’ the United States, you may have stumbled upon green milkweed at some point. It’s a uncommon species in the northern area’s of the United States. It’s uncommon status, and even sometimes rare status, is attributed to the removal of the large prairie habitats that may have had pockets of wind connectivity and replaced with area’s devoted to agricultural needs; with this said, in the southeastern states it may be one of the most common and noticeable species. 

Variation in size and leaf morphology of this plant can be noticeable if you are visiting separate populations found in different relative climates. In some southern states such as Texas or Oklahoma the plants can appear dwarfed with their leaves curled up in an undulated fashion, with this they may also be smaller in stature or dwarfed when compared to their northern counterparts. 

Pollinator’s and Insect Interactions.

This plant is known to form large, wide-spread, populations in the southern United States. These larger populations have been noted to attract many species of insects known for biological control, (l. E.) predatory wasps, and become an incredibly important nectar source for many native bee species. Where this milkweed species is the most important is with the Monarch’s in the southern United States.

Distinguishing Features

Since this species can have variance in leaf structure, to the point where they look like A. incarnata not in bloom, and can have similar flowers to another Asclepias member in the area, A. aspurela, it is good to know specific details that can easily allow you to find an I.D. 

Asclepias viridis 

>has an inflorescence with a larger cluster comparatively to A. aspurela.

>has truncated lobes that tend to be a true green instead of cream colored pointed or reflexed lobes.

> individual flowers are larger with no horn on the hood.

>when compared to A. incarnata’s leaves it can be quickly distinguished by truncated vs. rounded base. 

The next in the KNOW YOUR WILD BEES CAMPAIGN.