Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District
Whorled Milkweed
Asclepias verticillata [C-value 1]
Milkweed family (Asclepiadaceae)
Blooms July -
mid-August
The native Whorled Milkweed is common in our area. It prefers full sun and slightly dry infertile soil. Habitats include prairies, openings in rocky upland forests and grassy slopes along highways. This perennial is 1–2' tall, erect and sometimes branched in the upper half. Whorls of 4-6 very thin leaves (about 2-3" long) occur along the nodes of the central stem. From the axils of middle to upper leaves, 1-4 umbels (¾–1½" across) of white or greenish white flowers are produced on short stalks. Each umbel has 7-20 flowers, each about 3/8" long and 3/16" across with 5 petals. Afterwards, cross-pollinated flowers are replaced by erect seedpods that later open to release their seeds to the wind.
Whorled Milkweed along U.S. Route 52 July 15, 2014
Whorled Milkweed at Harris Forest Preserve prairie July 9, 2015
Whorled Milkweed (pre-blooming) at Harris Forest Preserve prairie July 9, 2015
Whorled Milkweed along U.S. Route 52 July 15, 2014
Whorled Milkweed at Pickerill/Pigott Forest Preserve August 31, 2014 (with immature seedpods)
Whorled Milkweed at Harris Forest Preserve September 16, 2014 (with mature opening seedpods)
Whorled Milkweed releasing seeds at Pickerill/Pigott Forest Preserve August 30, 2019
Click here for more information.
Copyright © 2011-2019 by Kendall County Forest Preserve District. All Rights Reserved.