Practical
Plants

Asclepias syriaca

Common Milkweed

a perennial member of the Asclepias genus in the family Asclepiadaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Bees, Insects, Lepidoptera
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.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[21]. They are usually avoided by grazing animals[21]. The older leaves are poisonous if eaten in large quantities[12][15]. The plant contains cardioactive compounds and is potentially toxic[17].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Unopened flower buds - cooked. They taste somewhat like peas. They are used like broccoli[9]. Flowers and young flower buds - cooked. They have a mucilaginous texture and a pleasant flavour, they can be used as a flavouring and a thickener in soups etc[25][2][19]. The flower clusters can be boiled down to make a sugary syrup[11][30]. The flowers are harvested in the early morning with the dew still on them[31]. When boiled up they make a brown sugar[31]. Young shoots - cooked. An asparagus substitute[11][22][23][25][28][31][9]. They should be used when less than 20cm tall[6]. A slightly bitter taste[6]. Tips of older shoots are cooked like spinach[30][9]. Young seed pods, 3 - 4 cm long, cooked[11][23][25][30]. They are very appetizing. Best used when about 2 - 4cm long and before the seed floss forms, on older pods remove any seed floss before cooking them[30][6]. If picked at the right time, the pods resemble okra[9]. The sprouted seeds can be eaten[9]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed[25][8]. The latex in the stems is a suitable replacement for chicle and can be made into a chewing gum[24][27][20]. It is not really suitable for use in tyres[20]. The latex is found mainly in the leaves and is destroyed by frost[4]. Yields are higher on dry soils[4].

Plant part
Flowers
Product or use
Gum
Product or use
Oil
Product or use
Sweetener
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Seed
Plant part
Seedpod

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.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The root is anodyne, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, expectorant and purgative[22][15][17]. It has been used in the treatment of asthma, kidney stones, venereal disease etc[18][19]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. An infusion of the pounded roots has been used by the women of some native North American Indian tribes to promote temporary sterility[16][19]. The leaves and/or the latex are used in folk remedies for treating cancer and tumours[20]. The milky latex from the stems and leaves is used in the treatment of warts[22][6][17][19]. The latex needs to be applied at least daily over a period of up to a few weeks to be effective. The stems can be cooked and applied as a poultice on rheumatic joints[19]. One reported Mohawk antifertility concoction contained milkweed and jack-in-the-pulpit, both considered contraceptive. Dried and pulverized, a fistful of milkweed and three Arisaema rhizomes were infused in a pint of water for 20 minutes. The infusion was drunk, a cupful an hour, to induce temporary sterility[20]. The rhizome is used in homeopathy as an antioedemic and emmenagogue in the treatment of dropsy and dysmenorrhoea[20].

Product or use
Anodyne
Product or use
Contraceptive
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Purgative
Product or use
Warts

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A good quality fibre is obtained from the inner bark of the stems. It is long and quite strong, but brittle[20]. It can be used in making twine, cloth, paper etc[31][4][7]. The fibre is of poor quality in wet seasons[4]. It is easily harvested in late autumn after the plant has died down by simply pulling the fibres off the dried stems[7]. It is estimated that yields of 1,356 kilos per hectare could be obtained from wild plants[20]. The seed floss is used to stuff pillows etc or is mixed with other fibres to make cloth[4][6][7][8]. It is a Kapok substitute, used in Life Jackets or as a stuffing material[4]. Very water repellent, it can yield up to 550 kilos per hectare[4]. The floss absorbs oil whilst repelling water and so has also been used to mop up oil spills at sea. Candlewicks can be made from the seed floss[4][14]. In cultivation, only 1 - 3% of the flowers produce mature pods[20]. It is estimated that yields of 1,368 kilos per hectare could be obtained from wild plants[20]. Rubber can be made from latex contained in the leaves and the stems[24][26][2][6]. It is found mainly in the leaves and is destroyed by frost[4]. Yields of 197 kilos per hectare can be expected from wild plants, it is estimated that by selection these yields could be increased to 897 kilos[20]. Yields are higher on dry soils[4]. The latex can also be used as a glue for fixing precious stones into necklaces, earrings etc[19]. The latex contains 0.1 - 1.5% caoutchouc, 16 - 17% dry matter, and 1.23% ash. It also contains the digitalis-like mixture of a- and b-asclepiadin, the antitumor b-sitosterol, and a- and b-amyrin and its acetate, dextrose and wax[20]. Pods contain an oil and a wax which are of potential importance. The seed contains up to 20% of an edible semi-drying oil[29][4]. It is also used in making liquid soap[29].

Product or use
Adhesive
Product or use
Fibre
Product or use
Latex
Product or use
Oil
Product or use
Pollution
Product or use
Stuffing
Product or use
Wick

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - New Brunswick to Saskatchewan, south to N. Carolina, Kansas and Georgia.
Habitat
Thickets, roadsides, dry fields and waste places[15][23].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in the autumn or in late winter[5][7]. 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[5]. Germination usually takes place in 1 - 3 months at 18°c[5]. 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

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in any good soil[10]. Prefers a well-drained light rich or peaty soil[1][13]. Requires a moist peaty soil and a sunny position[3][5]. Plants are hardy to about -25°c[10]. A very ornamental plant[1], though it can be invasive by means of its spreading root system[13]. The flowers diffuse a delicious scent into the garden. This scent attracts bees, who obtain copious supplies of nectar from the plants[50, 74, K], though unfortunately the plants do not always flower in Britain[K]. 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[14]. This plant has a very wide range of uses and merits attention as a food, fibre and rubber crop[K]. It was possibly cultivated at one time by the North American Indians for its many uses[6]. It is considered by some to be the greatest underachiever among plants. Its potential appears great, yet until now it has never been continuously processed for commercial purposes[20]. 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[5].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Kavasch. B. Native Harvests. Vintage Books 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-394-72811-4

    ↩1↩2

  3. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

    ↩

  4. Whiting. A. G. A Summary of the Literature on Milkweeds (Asclepias spp) and their utilization.

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11

  5. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  6. McPherson. A. and S. Wild Food Plants of Indiana. Indiana University Press 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-253-28925-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  7. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  9. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  10. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2

  11. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

  12. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

    ↩

  13. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  14. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

    ↩1↩2

  15. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  16. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩

  17. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3

  18. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩

  19. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  20. Duke. J. Handbook of Energy Crops - 1983-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11↩12

  21. 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

    ↩1↩2

  22. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  23. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  24. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  25. Harris. B. C. Eat the Weeds. Pivot Health 1973-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  26. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

    ↩

  27. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  28. Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold 1982-00-00 ISBN 0442222009

    ↩

  29. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  30. Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press 1967-00-00 ISBN 0-8623-0343-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  31. Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-486-23310-3

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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