Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District
Poke Milkweed
Asclepias exaltata [C-value 9]
Milkweed family (Asclepiadaceae)
Blooms
mid-June - mid-July
The native Poke Milkweed is rare in our area and is monitored as one of our Plants of Concern. It prefers partial or dappled sunlight and slightly moist rich loamy soil. Habitats include woodland openings, wooded slopes and areas along woodland paths and borders. This perennial is 2-5' tall and usually unbranched with opposite pairs of leaves that are oval-shaped, toothless and 3-8" long and 1-3" across. The stem terminates in one or more umbels of flowers spanning 2-4" across and drooping slightly. Each flower is about ¼" across and ½" long with 5 green or pale purple petals and 5 white or light pink curved cylindrical hoods around a central column. Fertile flowers are replaced by erect seedpods up to 6" long and ¾" across.
Poke Milkweed in bloom. Photo by Dr. John Hilty
Poke Milkweed in a K. C. Forest Preserve June 27, 2017 (post-blooming)
Poke Milkweed in a K. C. Forest Preserve June 27, 2017 (post-blooming)
Poke Milkweed in a K. C. Forest Preserve May 27, 2010 (pre-blooming)
Poke Milkweed in a K. C. Forest Preserve July 4, 2017 (immature seedpods)
Poke Milkweed in a K. C. Forest Preserve July 4, 2017 (immature seedpod)
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