Description: This native perennial plant is about
2-3' tall and unbranched. The central stem is light green, round, and glabrous
or slightly pubescent. The opposite leaves are up to 6" long and 3" across.
They are
ovate-oblong or broadly lanceolate, with smooth margins that may undulate up
and down. The leaves often curl upward from the pinkish central vein. The upper
surface of the foliage is mostly glabrous and yellowish green to dark green
(depending on light conditions), while the lower surface is light green and
softly pubescent. The central stem terminates with 1-6 umbels of flowers; there
may be a few axillary umbels from some of the upper leaves as well. Each
rounded umbel is about 3" across. These flowers have the typical structure for
milkweeds, and can be pale to deep purple in appearance, often with greenish or
rosy tints. However, the central reproductive column and base of the deflexed
petals are white. The hoods are much taller than the horns; the latter curve
inward toward the reproductive column and appear spike-like (but are thicker
toward the base). The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer,
and lasts about 1-2 months. The flowers have a pleasant fragrance. If
pollination occurs, the flowers are replaced by seedpods (follicles) that are
held erect and are spindle-shaped. These seedpods are up to 6" long and 1"
across, and tapered on both ends. They have a smooth surface and are finely
pubescent. The seeds have large tufts of white hair, and are distributed by the
wind. The root system consists of a fleshy taproot and short rhizomes; small
clumps of plants can be produced vegetatively.
Cultivation: The preference is partial sun and mesic
conditions; this plant also tolerates light shade and full sun, as well as
considerable variations in the moisture regime. Immature plants are inclined to
wilt during a drought, and should be watered. The soil can consist of
moisture-retaining loam or clay-loam. The plants make rapid growth during the
late spring until they flower and form seedpods, then they gradually
degenerate. It takes 3 years or more for a small transplant or seedling to
reach flowering size. This plant is attacked by the usual milkweed insects,
including yellow milkweed aphids that are sometimes found underneath the
leaves. The leaves have tendency to turn yellow and curl in response to dry,
sunny conditions, or as they mature.
Range
& Habitat: Purple Milkweed is an occasional plant that is widely
distributed in Illinois (see
Distribution
Map). However, it is uncommon or absent in some areas of NW, central, and
east-central Illinois. Habitats include moist meadows in woodlands or near
rivers, thickets and woodland borders, bluffs and open woodlands, oak savannas,
glades, and roadsides. This plant usually occurs along prairie edges near
woodland areas, rather than in the open prairie. It favors somewhat disturbed
areas.
Faunal
Associations: The nectar of the flowers attracts long-tongued
bees, butterflies, and skippers. To a lesser extent, Green Metallic bees and
other Halictid bees may visit the flowers, but they are less effective at
pollination. Another unusual visitor of the flowers is the Ruby-Throated
Hummingbird. Among the butterflies, such visitors as the Pipevine Swallowtail,
Giant Swallowtail, American Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Clouded Sulfur, Eastern
Tailed-Blue, Regal Fritillary, Great Spangled Fritillary, and many others have
been reported. The caterpillars of the Danaus plexippes (Monarch Butterfly)
feed on the foliage. The usual milkweed beetles and plant bugs are attracted to
the foliage, stems, or flowers, as well. Mammalian herbivores rarely consume
this and other milkweeds because of the bitter-tasting, toxic foliage, which
contains cardiac glycosides.
Photographic
Location: The photographs were taken at the webmaster's wildflower
garden in Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: The flowers of Purple Milkweed are
quite attractive. This species is less aggressive than Asclepias syriaca
(Common Milkweed), which it resembles somewhat in appearance. However, the
flowers of Purple Milkweed are usually a deeper color of purple and more likely
to occur in terminal umbels at the apex of the central stem, rather than as
axillary umbels between the upper leaves. The seedpods of Purple Milkweed are
smooth, while the seedpods of Common Milkweed have soft prickles. Purple
Milkweed also resembles Asclepias rubra (Red Milkweed), but the horns on the
flowers of the latter species are straight and about as tall as the hoods,
while the horns of Purple Milkweed are shorter than the hoods and curve inward
toward the reproductive column of the flowers.