Wildflowers of the United States

Swamp Milkweed, Western Swamp Milkweed, Pink Milkweed, Eastern Swamp Milkweed - Asclepias incarnata

Genus Common Name: Milkweed

Native Status: Native

Dicot Perennial Herb

Asclepias incarnata - Swamp Milkweed, Western Swamp Milkweed, Pink Milkweed, Eastern Swamp 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. The genus was named for the Greek god of medicine, Aesculapius.

Asclepias incarnata is one of the more widely distributed species of Milkweed, being found in all but six states. It is rare in Nevada, Montana, Arkansas, and Louisiana. It is not found in Alaska, Hawaii, the west coast states of Washington, Oregon, and California, and is also missing from Mississippi. Note that the USDA Plants Database map shows it missing from Arizona, but the BONAP map, which is usually more current, shows it in that state. It is found in swamps and marshes and other usually wet areas, explaining its rarity in states that are largely desert. There are two recognized varieties (or subspecies) of A. incarnata - var. incarnata - Western Swamp Milkweed - and var. pulchra - Eastern Swamp Milkweed. Var. incarnata is by far the more widely distributed variety. Var. pulchra is hairier, has broader leaves, and the leaf bases are more rounded or even nearly cordate. It also is less branching than var. incarnata, and its distribution is, as implied by that common name, more eastern.

Found in:
AL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY

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Distribution of Asclepias incarnata in the United States and Canada:

Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
Map color key
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Site: I-64 Gateway Rest Area, St Clair County, IL Date: 2016-August-23	Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson Nikon D7000 Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
The inflorescence of Asclepias incarnata is an umbel of usually around 20 rosy-pink flowers on long pedicels. That rosy-pink color led to the species epithet - incarnata - which is from the Latin for flesh-colored. Sometimes the flowers are nearly red, purple, or, rarely, white. The plant blooms in late summer.

Site: I-64 Gateway Rest Area, St Clair County, IL Date: 2016-August-23	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000
The Monarch butterfly relies on milkweed plants for survival.
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Site: I-64 Gateway Rest Area, St Clair County, IL Date: 2016-August-23	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000
The Swamp Milkweed flower is shaped like that of most milkweeds, consisting of 5 upright pale hoods surrounding the horns, and 5 petals that reflex sharply downward. The petals are usually rosy-pink, but may be purple, nearly red, or white.
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Site: I-64 Gateway Rest Area, St Clair County, IL Date: 2016-August-23	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000
Asclepias incarnata grows to between 2 and 6 feet tall. Var. incarnata is usually branching, while var. pulchra rarely branches. The leaves are opposite, and carried on petioles between 1 and 4 inches long.
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Site: I-64 Gateway Rest Area, St Clair County, IL Date: 2016-August-23	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000
The leaf of Swamp Milkweed is usually lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate in shape, normally 4 to 6 times as long as they are wide. The margins are entire (smooth), the upper surface is usually medium to dark green, although aging or stressed plants may have yellowish leaves. The base of the leaf may be truncate or obtuse (var. incarnata,) rounded or cordate (var. pulchra). This specimen seems to have the narrow leaves and obtuse leaf base of var. incarnata.
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Site: I-64 Gateway Rest Area, St Clair County, IL Date: 2016-August-23	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000
Bees are among the pollinators of Swamp Milkweed.
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References used for identification and information:

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Asclepias incarnata initially published on USWildflowers.com 2016-09-26; Updated 2017-03-02

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All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2024
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Code Update 20230302