Green Milkweed (Wildflowers of the Preserve at Shaker Village)

Green Milkweed

Asclepias viridis

Summary ⁵

Asclepias viridis is a plant commonly known as green milkweed or green antelopehorn. It is less widespread than other species of milkweed on the Preserve, native to the southcentral and southeastern United States. It prefers to be in dry upland sites with other short plants.

Wildlife Interactions ⁵

Milkweeds act as a required host plant for the monarch butterfly and many other species like milkweed bugs, milkweed beetles, and milkweed tussock moths. They provide ample nectar for bees, wasps, butterflies and moths. Because of their popularity among insects, milkweeds also serve as important hunting grounds for predators like spiders and praying mantids.

Similar Species ⁵

Green milkweed resembles common milkweed but will only reach a few feet high. The leaves of green milkweed often have a small notch at the tip, unlike common milkweed. The flowers of green milkweed, are, of course, a pale green rather than the bright pink of common milkweed, and they have a more open structure.