|                    Whorled milkweed
                      |  
              
                |                    Asclepias verticillata  
                      |  
              
                |                    Apocynaceae 
                      |  
  
              
                 Landscape Uses:
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                 Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations.  Also wildflower and butterfly  gardens. | 
               
                Ecological Restoration Notes:  | 
               
              
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                 A rare understory herb in pinelands. | 
               
              
                | Availability: | 
               
              
                 | 
                 Widely available in central Florida. Available at  Indian Trails Native Nursery in Lake Worth (561-641-9488). | 
               
              
                | Description: | 
               
              
                |   | 
                 Medium wildflower with erect slender stems; barely noticeable when not in flower. | 
               
              
                | Height: | 
               
              
                |   | 
                 Typically 2-3 feet in height.  Taller than broad. | 
               
              
                | Growth Rate: | 
               
              
                |   | 
                 Moderate. | 
               
              
                | Range: | 
               
              
                |   | 
                 Widespread in North America south to Miami-Dade and Collier counties. | 
               
              
                | Habitats: | 
               
              
                |   | 
                 Pinelands. | 
               
              
                | Soils: | 
               
              
                |   | 
                 Moist, well-drained sandy soils, without humus. | 
               
              
                | Nutritional Requirements: | 
               
              
                |   | 
                 Low; it grows in nutrient poor soils. | 
               
              
                | Salt Water Tolerance: | 
               
              
                |   | 
                 Low; does not tolerate flooding by salt or brackish water. | 
               
              
                | Salt Wind Tolerance: | 
               
              
                |   | 
                 Low; salt wind may burn the leaves. | 
               
              
                | Drought Tolerance: | 
               
              
                |   | 
                 High; does not require any supplemental water once established. | 
               
              
                | Light Requirements: | 
               
              
                |   | 
                 Full sun. | 
               
              
                | Flower Color: | 
               
              
                |   | 
                 Greenish-white or white. | 
               
              
                | Flower Characteristics: | 
               
              
                |   | 
                 Semi-showy. | 
               
              
                | Flowering Season: | 
               
              
                |   | 
                 Spring-summer. | 
               
              
                | Fruit: | 
               
              
                |   | 
                 Slender pod (follicle) with wind dispersed seeds. | 
               
              
                | Wildlife and Ecology: | 
               
              
                |   | 
                 Larval host for queen (Danaus gilippus) and possibly soldier (Danaus eresimus) butterflies.  Nectar plant for monarch (Danaus plexippus) and other butterflies. Attracts native bees and other beneficial insects. | 
               
                     
                | Horticultural Notes: | 
               
              
                |   | 
                 Can be grown from seed. | 
               
              
                | Comments: | 
               
              
                |   | 
                 See also the Florida Wildflower Foundation's  Flower Friday page and  Monarchs & Milkweed flyer.  | 
               
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