Asclepias syriaca facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Common Milkweed
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
Genus: Asclepias
Species: A. syriaca
Binomial name
Asclepias syriaca
L.

Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is a species of milkweed plant. It is also known as Butterfly flower, Silkweed, Silky Swallow-wort, and Virginia Silkweed. It belongs in the subfamily Asclepiadoideae. It is native to North America. It blooms from June to August. The flowers are green and purple. This species is found in prairies, meadows, and fields. Common Milkweed likes damp to dry soil and sunny or partly shaded places. It is about 0.5 to 1.5 meters in height (1½-5 feet).

Images for kids

  • Common Milkweed Asclepias syriaca Unopened Flower Head 2223px

    Buds in an umbelate cyme

  • Common Milkweed (1035856056)

    Flowers

  • Asclepias syriaca 004

    Follicle

  • Asclepias syriaca close up of the seed copy

    Seeds emerging from a follicle

  • Milkweedseeds

    Seeds


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Asclepias syriaca Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.