Drought tolerant native rhizomatous perennial with rose-purple flowers, blooming May to September. Occurs in well-drained soils of open meadows, roadsides and ditchbanks; up to 10,000 ft. elevation. Usually 2-4 ft. tall. Robust species, tolerant of a variety of environments. Forms vigorous colonies, making it useful for stabilizing degraded or disturbed soils. May become weedy, displacing other vegetation. The most abundant milkweed species in the Great Plains and western U.S. Hybridizes with Common milkweed (A. syriaca). Excellent nectar for pollinators, attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, honeybees, native bees and various beneficial insects. Larval host of the Monarch butterfly.

DISTRIBUTION / ADAPTATION

INFORMATION & ATTRIBUTES

Family: Asclepiadaceae

Duration: Perennial

Growth Habit: Forb

Native Status: Native

Growth Form: Single crown

Mature Height: 36 in.

Bloom Color: Rose-purple

Bloom Period: May-September

Annual Precipitation:  in.

Drought Tolerance: Low

Shade Tolerance: Low

Elevation: up to 6,300 ft.

Wetland Indicator Status: FAC

Fire Resistance:

Fire Tolerance: High

Nitrogen Fixation: None

SOIL ADAPTATION

Coarse Texture: Yes

Medium Texture: Yes

Fine Texture: Yes

Salinity Tolerance: None

CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium

pH Range: 5.0-7.0

SEEDING NOTES

Seeds per Pound: 70,300

Seeding Rate:  PLS lbs/acre

Season: Fall

Days to Germination: