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| ## Common milkweed {#common-milkweed .Title-Header}                   |
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| *Asclepias syriaca* L.                                                |
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| Plant Symbol = ASSY                                                   |
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######### *Contributed By: USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center*

#### Alternative Names

Virginia-silk, algodoncillo, silky swallowwort, herbe à la ouate,
Seidenpflanze

#### Uses

**[*Warning*: Milkweed may be toxic when taken internally, without
sufficient preparation.]{.underline}**

*Ethnobotanic*: People have used milkweed for fiber, food, and medicine
all over the United States and southern Canada. Milkweeds supply tough
fibers for making cords and ropes, and for weaving a coarse cloth.
Milkweed stems are collected after the stalks senesce in late fall-early
winter. The dried stalks are split open to release the fibers; milkweed
fibers are sometimes mixed with fibers of Indian hemp (*Apocynum
cannabinum*). The bark is removed and the fibers released by first
rubbing between the hands and then drawing the fibers over a hard
surface. Twisting the fiber opposite each other and twining them
together forms the cord. Often this is accomplished by rolling the
fibers on the thigh while twisting them together.

The young shoots, stems, flower buds, immature fruits, and roots of
butterfly milkweed were boiled and eaten as a vegetable by various
indigenous groups of eastern and mid-western America. The Meskwaki steam
the flower buds as a food source; they are nutritious but not considered
very flavorful. ![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.0930555555555554in"
height="3.14375in"}

The Cherokee drank an infusion of common milkweed root and virgin's
bower (*Clematis* species) for backaches (Moerman 1986). The Cherokee,
Iroquois, and Rappahannock used the sap to remove warts, for ringworm,
and for bee stings. The Cherokee used the plant as a laxative, an
antidote for gravel and dropsy, and an infusion was given for mastitis.
The Cherokee took an infusion of the root for venereal diseases. The
Chippewa made a cold decoction of common milkweed root and added it to
food to produce postpartum milk flow. The Iroquois took an infusion of
milkweed leaves for stomach medicine. A compound decoction of plants was
taken to prevent hemorrhage after childbirth by the Iroquois. The
Menominee ate the buds or a decoction of the root for chest discomfort.
The Ojibwa used the root as a female remedy. The Potawatomi used the
root for unspecified ailments.

Common milkweed was used by the Meskwaki as a contraceptive (Kindscher
1992, Erichsen-Brown 1979, De Laszlo and Henshaw 1954). A Mohawk
anti-fertility concoction was prepared by boiling a fistful of dried,
pulverized milkweed and three jack-in-the-pulpit rhizomes in a pint of
water for 20 minutes. The infusion was drunk at the rate of one cup an
hour to induce temporary sterility (Kindscher 1992).

Milkweed species as a group are known to contain cardiac glycosides that
are poisonous to humans and livestock, as well as other substances that
may account for their medicinal effect. Resinoids, glycosides, and a
small amount of alkaloids are present in all parts of the plant.
Symptoms of poisoning by the cardiac glycosides include dullness,
weakness, bloating, inability to stand or walk, high body temperature,
rapid and weak pulse, difficulty breathing, dilated pupils, spasms, and
coma.

*Wildlife*: The cardiac glycoside in milkweed has also been useful as a
chemical defense for monarch butterflies (*Danaus plexippus*). Chemicals
from the milkweed plant make the monarch caterpillar\'s flesh
distasteful to most predators. Monarch butterflies are specific to
milkweed plants; this is the only type of plant on which the eggs are
laid and the larvae will feed and matures into a chrysalis. Eggs are
laid on the underside of young, healthy leaves. Monarch, Queen, and
Viceroy butterflies are Müllerian mimics; all are toxic, and have
co-evolved similar warning patterns to avoid predation. Milkweed species
are attractive to many insect species, including the large milkweed bug,
common milkweed bug, red milkweed beetle, blue milkweed beetle, and
bees. Accordingly, this is a wonderful horticultural plant for
landscaping to attract butterflies (particularly monarchs), whose
numbers are declining and migratory routes changing due to lack of
appropriate habitat.

#### Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status and wetland indicator values.

#### Description

*General*: Milkweed Family (Asclepiadaceae). Common milkweed (*Asclepias
syriaca*) is a perennial herb growing from a deep rhizome. The hairy
stems are usually solitary from a simple to branched and thickened base,
and are 6-20 dm (1.9-6.5 ft) tall. The opposite leaves have broadly
ovate to elliptic blades that are 10-20 cm (3.9-7.9 in) long and 5-11 cm
(1.9-4.3 in) wide. The leaves are sparsely hairy above and densely hairy
below, and the petiole is 0.2-1.4 cm (0.08-0.77 in) long. The
inflorescence occurs in the upper leaf axils, and there are 20-130
flowers per inflorescence. The flowers are small, 11-17 mm (0.4-0.7 in),
and bloom from May to August. The five petals are green to
purple-tinged, and are topped by a crown of five erect lobes that are
rose to purple, rarely white. The fruits are spindle-shaped follicles
covered with soft hairs. The small, round, hairy seeds are 6-8 mm
(0.2-0.3 in) in diameter.

*Distribution*: For current distribution, please consult the Plant
Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site. This plant grows
throughout the Great Plains ecoregion from southern Canada south to NE
Oklahoma, NW Georgia, and Texas, and east from North Carolina to Maine.

#### Establishment

*Adaptation*: Common milkweed grows in sandy, clayey, or rocky
calcareous soils. It occurs along the banks or flood plains of lakes,
ponds, and waterways, in prairies, forest margins, roadsides, and waste
places. This species hybridizes with showy milkweed (*Asclepias
speciosa*).

Common milkweed is easily propagated by both seed and rhizome cuttings.
Both seedlings and cuttings will usually bloom in their second year,
although cuttings will occasionally bloom during their first year. Seeds
and plants are available from many nurseries. Common milkweed increases
by underground shoots and can be invasive. It is ideal in semi-dry
places where it can spread without presenting problems for other
ornamental species.

*Propagation from Cuttings*: Propagation by cuttings of the tuberous
rhizome is easy and reliable. The cuttings should be made when the plant
is dormant. Each piece of the rhizome should have at least one bud (they
are about two inches apart). Timing of propagation is important. Harvest
or divide plants and get the plants in the ground by late fall so they
can develop enough root growth to survive the winter. Irrigation the
first year will improve survival, and by the second year the root system
should be well enough established so plants will survive on their own.

Both seedlings and cuttings will usually bloom in their second year,
although cuttings will occasionally bloom during their first year
(Kindscher 1992).

*Propagation from Seed*: Common milkweed is easily propagated from seed.
Process as follows:

1\) Collect seeds after the pods have ripened, but before they have
split open. The seeds are wind dispersed, so be careful when gathering
to place in a paper or burlap bag to avoid losing them.

2\) Eliminate weeds before planting. Strip off any sod. Cultivate the
soil to a fine tilth, firm the soil by treading or rolling, and rake
lightly.

3\) Seeds can be directly sewn into the ground in the fall. Sow the seed
mixture (with fine sand for even distribution) at a rate of 1/8 oz per
sq. yd (4 g per sq. meter) or as advised.

4\) If planting in flats or in a greenhouse, common milkweed seeds
should be cold-treated for three months.

5\) The seed is very viable. It is not certain how long you can store
the seeds and maintain their viability.

6\) During the first summer, weed invasive plants and water as needed.

#### Management

Milkweed is burned in the fall to eliminate dead stalks and stimulate
new growth. Burning causes new growth to have taller, straighter stems
(with longer fibers). It also stimulates flower and seed production.

When used for fiber, milkweed is collected in the autumn after the
leaves have begun to fall off, the stalks turn gray or tan, and the
plant dries up. If the milkweed stems will break off at the ground it\'s
time to harvest. Breaking off as many stalks as possible encourages
resprouting in the spring. The dried stalks are then split open and the
fibers are twisted into string. Vast quantities of fiber plants are
required for nets, regalia, and cordage.

#### Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin)

ASSY is readily available through native plant nurseries within its
range.

#### References

Bouton, D.W. 1995. *The monarch butterfly.* *A fragile tissue in the
wind*. Continuum Publishers, Harpersville, New York.

DeLaszlo, H. & P.S. Henshaw 1954*.* *Plant materials used by primitive
peoples to affect fertility*. Science 119: 626-631.

Erichsen-Brown, C. 1979. *Use of plants for the past 500 Years*. Breezy
Creeks Press, Aurora, Ontario, Canada.

Gilmore, M.R. 1977. *Uses of plants by the Indians of the Missouri River
Region.* University of Nebraska Press. 125 pp.

Grace, E.S. 1997. *The world of the monarch butterfly*. Sierra Club
Books, San Francisco, California. 114 pp.

Hedrick, U.P. 1972. *Sturtevant\'s edible plants of the world*. Dover
Publications, Inc., New York, New York. 686 pp.

Hutchens, A.R. 1991. *Indian herbalogy of North America*. Shambhala,
Boston and London. pp. 113-117.

Isaacson, R. T. 1993. *Anderson Horticultural Library\'s source list of
plants and seeds*. Anderson Horticultural Library. University of
Minnesota Libraries, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. 261 pp.

Kinscher, K. 1992. *Medicinal wild plants of the prairie.* *An
ethnobotanical guide*. University Press of Kansas. Pp. 84-94.

Martin, A.C., H. S. Zim, & A.L. Nelson 1951*.* *American wildlife and
plants.* *A guide to wildlife food habits*. Dover Publications, Inc.,
New York, New York. 500 pp.

M^c^Gregor, R.L., T.M. Barkley, R.E. Brooks, & E.K. Schofield (eds.)
1991. *Flora of the Great Plains*. University Press of Kansas. 1402 pp.

Moerman, D.E. 1986. *Medicinal plants of Native America*. Research
Reports in Ethnobotany, Contribution 2. Technical Reports, Number 19.
University of Michigan Museum of Anthropology, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Pp.
156-158.

Munson, P.J. 1981. *Contributions to Osage and Lakota ethnobotany*.
Plains Anthropology 26: 229-240.

USDA, NRCS 2000. *The PLANTS database*. Version: 000228.
\<http://plants.usda.gov\> National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge,
Louisiana.

#### Prepared By

## *Michelle Stevens*

Formerly USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center

#### Species Coordinator

##### *M. Kat Anderson*

USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center

c/o Plant Science Department, University of California, Davis,
California

Edited 25jul00 jsp; 29apr03 ahv; 31may06jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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