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Asclepias incarnata
  • Swamp Milkweed

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

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementshigh
    High
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 3
    Zone 3
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Asclepias incarnata has 0 edible uses listed
Asclepias incarnata has 0 material uses listed
Asclepias incarnata has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

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[1]. They are usually avoided by grazing animals[1]. The leaves and the stems might be poisonous[2].

Edible uses

Notes

Unopened flower buds - cooked[3][4][5]. Tasting somewhat like peas[6]. They can also be dried and stored for later use[7].

Young shoots - cooked. An asparagus substitute[6][8]. Tips of older shoots are cooked like spinach[6]. Young seed pods, harvested when 3 - 4 cm long - cooked. A pea-like flavour, they are very appetizing[6].

The flower clusters can be boiled down to make a sugary syrup[6].

Flowers

Unknown use

Leaves

Unknown use

Seedpod

Unknown use

Unknown part

Sweetener

Material uses

A good quality fibre is obtained from the bark[3][9][4][10][11][12]. It is used in twine, cloth etc[11]. It is easily harvested in late autumn, after the plants have died down, by simply pulling it off the dead stems[11].

The seed floss is used to stuff pillows etc or is mixed with other fibres to make cloth[9][13]. It is a Kapok substitute, it is used in Life Jackets or as a stuffing material[12][13]. 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 stems[9].

Pods contain an oil and a wax which are of potential importance[13].

Unknown part

Fibre
Latex
Oil
Pollution
Stuffing
Wax

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

A tea made from the roots is anthelmintic, carminative, diuretic, emetic, strongly laxative and stomachic[14][4][15][16]. The tea is said to remove tapeworms from the body in one hour[16]. It has also been used in the treatment of asthma, rheumatism, syphilis, worms and as a heart tonic[14][17][15]. An infusion of the roots is used as a strengthening bath for children and adults[16].

Unknown part

Anthelmintic
Carminative
Diuretic
Emetic
Laxative
Stomachic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in the autumn or in late winter[18][12]. 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[18]. Germination usually takes place in 1 - 3 months at 18°c[18]. 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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Asclepias incarnata. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a well-drained light rich or peaty soil[19][20]. Requires a moist soil and a sunny position, doing well by water[21][18]. Succeeds on dry soils and on all soil types[11].

Plants are hardy to at least -25°c[22]. A very ornamental plant[19], the flowers are very attractive to butterflies[12]. 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[17]. 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[18].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Asclepias incarnata. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Asclepias incarnata.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Asclepias incarnata
Genus
Asclepias
Family
Asclepiadaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[3][4][5][6][7][8]
Medicinal uses
[14][4][15][16][17]
Material uses & Functions
[3][9][4][10][11][12][13]
Botanic
[23][20]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
3
Heat Zone
?
Water
high
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1.2 x meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    Bees, Insects, Lepidoptera
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J [Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas] Botanical Research Institute, Texas. (1999-00-00)
    2. ? Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (1978-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.5 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.5 Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press ISBN 0-8623-0343-9 (1967-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-090-x (1975-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.3 Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
    10. ? 10.010.1 Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-23310-3 (1976-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.311.4 Whiting. A. G. A Summary of the Literature on Milkweeds (Asclepias spp) and their utilization. ()
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.312.4 Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden. ()
    13. ? 13.013.113.213.3 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.2 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.2 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.116.216.3 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    17. ? 17.017.117.2 Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. ISBN 0-8160-2624-6 (1993-00-00)
    18. ? 18.018.118.218.318.4 Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. (1988-00-00)
    19. ? 19.019.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    20. ? 20.020.1 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    21. ? Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge (1926-00-00)
    22. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
    23. ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)

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    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Asclepias_incarnata&oldid=75299"
    Facts about "Asclepias incarnata"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyAsclepiadaceae +
    Belongs to genusAsclepias +
    Has common nameSwamp Milkweed +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFlowers +, Leaves +, Seedpod + and Unknown part +
    Has edible useUnknown use + and Sweetener +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile +, Bee +, Insects + and Lepidoptera +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone3 +
    Has imageSwamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata Flowers Closeup 2800px.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useFibre +, Latex +, Oil +, Pollution +, Stuffing + and Wax +
    Has mature height1.2 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnthelmintic +, Carminative +, Diuretic +, Emetic +, Laxative + and Stomachic +
    Has primary imageSwamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata Flowers Closeup 2800px.jpg +
    Has search nameasclepias incarnata + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameAsclepias incarnata +
    Has water requirementshigh +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +