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Antelope-Horn Milkweed, Green Antelopehorn, Spider Milkweed, Green Milkweed - Asclepias viridis


Family: Apocynaceae - Dogbane family Genus Common Name: Milkweed Native Status: NativeDicot Perennial Herb
Asclepias viridis - Antelope-Horn Milkweed, Green Antelopehorn, Spider Milkweed, Green Milkweed. Asclepias, Milkweed, is a large genus, with around 100 species total, and over 75 in the United States. There is at least one species in every state except for Alaska. Milkweed is important if for no other reason than the fact that the Monarch butterfly only lays its eggs on Milkweed plants, and the Monarch caterpillar only eats the leaves of the Milkweed plant.

Asclepias viridis is a fairly widespread species, being found in prairies, fields, and other dry open places in eighteen states from Ohio and West Virginia south to Florida and west to Texas and Nebraska. The common name refers to the horn-like appearance of the seedpod; unlike most Milkweeds, the flowers of Antelope-Horn Milkweed do not have horns. The white crab spider lives on the plant, giving it another of its common names.

Found in:
AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MO, MS, NE, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, WV

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Asclepias viridis

Distribution of Asclepias viridis in the United States and Canada:
Map unavailable.
Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
Map color key

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Site: Chickamauga Battlefield, Catoosa County, Ga Date: 2014-May-12Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson
Nikon D7000
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
The inflorescence of Asclepias viridis is a tight umbel of many flowers.
Asclepias viridis

Site: Chickamauga Battlefield, Catoosa County, Ga Date: 2014-May-12Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
The 5 spreading to erect pale green petals - most Milkweeds have reflexed petals - of Asclepias viridis provide it with the Green Milkweed common name. There are five purple hoods which are missing the horns found on most milkweeds. The flower is about an inch across.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Asclepias viridis

Site: Chickamauga Battlefield, Catoosa County, Ga Date: 2014-May-12Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
Open fields, prairies, and glades are common habitats for Asclepias viridis. It grows up to 30 inches tall. I’ve seen the leaves described as both "mostly alternate" and as "sub-opposite." I think that means "nearly opposite." The inflorescence is terminal, and there may be additional axillary inflorescences.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Asclepias viridis

Site: Chickamauga Battlefield, Catoosa County, Ga Date: 2014-May-12Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
The plant is "almost glabrous" - not quite smooth, but not quite rough enough to be called scabrous.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Asclepias viridis

Site: Chickamauga Battlefield, Catoosa County, Ga Date: 2014-May-12Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
The pale green leaves of Asclepias viridis are ovate-lanceolate, on short petioles, and up to 5 inches long.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Asclepias viridis

References used for identification and information:
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Asclepias viridis initially published on USWildflowers.com 2014-05-13; Updated 2017-03-02

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All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2024
Photographs Copyright owned by the named photographer



Code Update 20230302