Asclepias lanceolata
Purple Silkweed
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Asclepiadaceae
- Genus
- Asclepias
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 1.2 m
- Fertility
- self fertile
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees, Insects, Lepidoptera
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
Although no specific reports have been seen for this species, many, if not all, members of this genus contain toxic resinoids, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides[9]. They are usually avoided by grazing animals[9].
Edible uses
The following uses have been recorded for the closely related A. rubra. They probably also apply to this closely related species[K]. Flower buds - cooked as potherbs or added to soups[7]. Young shoots and leaves - cooked as potherbs or added to soups[7]. Young seed pods, 3 - 4 cm long, cooked[7]. Flower clusters can be boiled down to make a sugary syrup[7]. A chewing gum can be made from the latex contained in the stem and leaves, but it is possibly toxic[7].
- Plant part
- Flowers
- Product or use
- Gum
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Plant part
- Seedpod
- Product or use
- Sweetener
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
The latex is used as a cure for warts[4].
- Product or use
- Warts
Material uses
The following uses have been recorded for many other members of this genus, it is fairly safe to assume they can also be applied to this species[K]. A fibre is obtained from the bark[11][12]. It is used in twine, coarse cloth, paper etc[11][12]. The seed floss is used to stuff pillows etc or is mixed with other fibres to make cloth[4][5]. It is a Kapok substitute, used in Life Jackets or as a stuffing material[5]. It is very water repellent. The floss has also been used to mop up oil spills at sea. Rubber can be made from latex contained in the leaves and the stems[10][11][2].
- Product or use
- Fibre
- Product or use
- Latex
- Product or use
- Stuffing
Environment
- Range
- Eastern N. America - New Jersey to Florida and Texas
- Habitat
- Swamps, mostly near the coast[8].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in the autumn or in late winter[3][5]. We have also had good results from sowing the seed in the greenhouse in early spring[K], though stored seed might need 2 - 3 weeks cold stratification[3]. Germination usually takes place in 1 - 3 months at 18°c[3]. As soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out when they are in active growth in late spring or early summer and give them some protection from slugs until they are growing away strongly. Division in spring. With great care since the plant resents root disturbance. Pot the divisions up and place them in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse until they are growing away strongly, then plant them out in the summer, giving them some protection from slugs until they are established.. Basal cuttings in late spring. Use shoots about 10cm long with as much of their white underground stem as possible. Pot them up individually and place them in a lightly shaded position in a greenhouse until they are rooting and growing actively. If the plants grow sufficiently, they can be put into their permanent positions in the summer, otherwise keep them in the greenhouse until the following spring and when they are in active growth plant them out into their permanent positions. Give them some protection from slugs until they are established.
Cultivation
Prefers a well-drained light rich or peaty soil and a sunny position[1][3][6]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is closely related to A. rubra[6]. This species has less flowers than most other members of the genus[8]. Many members of this genus seem to be particularly prone to damage by slugs. The young growth in spring is especially vulnerable, but older growth is also attacked and even well-established plants have been destroyed in wet years[K]. Plants resent root disturbance and are best planted into their final positions whilst small[3]. The flower of many members of this genus can trap insects between its anther cells, the struggles of the insect in escaping ensure the pollination of the plant[7].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Whiting. A. G. A Summary of the Literature on Milkweeds (Asclepias spp) and their utilization.
Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00
Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8
Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6
Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5
Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm
Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.
Balls. E. K. Early Uses of Californian Plants. University of California Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-520-00072-2
Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-7718-8117-7