• Photo by: Jeannie Brodhead, Saracennia Chapter FNPS

Asclepias tomentosa

velvetleaf milkweed

Nomenclature

Common Name:

velvetleaf milkweed

Synonym(s):

Asclepias megalotis, Asclepias aceratoides

Genus species:

Asclepias tomentosa

Family:

Apocynaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

2-3 ft.

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

greenish with highlights of pink or maroon

Fruit Color:

green, seeds with tufts of white hair

Phenology:

Winter dormant, blooms April-August

Noted For:

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Wildflower garden, dry wildflower meadow

Considerations:

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Availability:

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Propagation:

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Light:

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Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry

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Not wet but not extremely dry -to- Somewhat long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Unknown

Soil or Other Substrate:

Soil pH:

moderately acidic to neutral

Suitable to Grow In:

Ecology

Wildlife:

Butterflies, Caterpillars



  • Larval host for monach ( Danaus plexippus ) , queen ( Danaus gilippus ) and soldier ( Danaus eresimus ) butterflies. 


  • Nectar plant for many butterfly species.






 

Native Habitats:

scrub, sandhill, edges of xeric hammocks, scrubby flatwoods

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

Predominantly a Florida plant, but it has also been recorded in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Texas.



The species name "tomentosa" refers to the dense, matted (tomentose) hairs on the leaves.



Aphids are often a "problem" with milkweed plants -- they are a natural preditor on Asclepias, but we don't like them.