common milkweed

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• silkweed
• silky milkweed
• Broadleaf Milkweed
• Butterfly Flower
• Kansas Milkweed
• Virginia Silkweed
• Virginia-silk
• silky swallowwort

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Asclepias illinoensis
• Asclepias kansana
• Asclepias syriaca f. inermis
• Asclepias syriaca var. kansana
• Asclepias syriaca f. leucantha
• Asclepias syriaca f. polyphylla
• Asclepias apocinum
• Asclepias globosa
• Asclepias cornuti
• Asclepias pubigera
• Asclepias intermedia
• Asclepias grandifolia
• Asclepias consanguinea

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Gentianales and the family Apocynaceae. Finally, it is classified under the genus Asclepia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be specifically noted within the borders of Sweden. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is also well-established in countries such as Austria and Germany. Its range extends further through the central territories of Belgium. Finally, the distribution continues through the region encompassing Czechia and Slovakia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Asclepias syriaca is characterized by its ability to thrive in diverse and often transitional environments, ranging from the shaded understories of forests to the more exposed and arid conditions of the steppe. In forest ecosystems, the species often occupies edge habitats or clearings where sunlight can penetrate the canopy, while in steppe environments, it demonstrates resilience to higher solar radiation and more frequent fluctuations in moisture availability. This adaptability allows it to occupy various ecological niches within these biomes, often acting as a pioneer or stabilizing species in disturbed areas. Its presence is frequently linked to specific soil compositions and moisture regimes found within these habitats, playing a functional role in the local biodiversity by providing critical resources for specialized insect populations.

Habitat :

forest, steppe

Life history

The life history of Asclepias syriaca is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a member of the cryptophyte group, it employs specialized survival strategies to endure unfavorable environmental conditions. Specifically, it functions as a geophyte, storing essential nutrients and energy within underground structures that protect the plant during dormant periods.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Asclepias syriaca is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. The plant is a self-supporting species, functioning without the need for climbing structures such as lianas or vines, and it is categorized as an independent organism rather than a parasite. It is a terrestrial plant, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits a significant vertical presence, reaching a height ranging from a minimum of 1.5 m to a maximum of 2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height min:

1.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Asclepias syriaca is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which facilitates carbon fixation through the standard Calvin cycle, typical of many temperate herbaceous perennials. This metabolic strategy allows the plant to optimize gas exchange and energy production under moderate environmental conditions. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a Specific Leaf Area (SLA) with a mean value of 158.28 cm²/g, a physiological metric that reflects its leaf structure and resource allocation strategies, indicating a specific balance between leaf thickness and surface area for light interception and transpiration.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

158.28 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Asclepias syriaca is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering period that typically commences in June and concludes in August. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Notably, self-fertilization is absent in this species, necessitating cross-pollination via its insect pollinators. Once fertilization occurs, the plant produces seeds with a highly specific mass profile; the average seed mass is approximately 0.0062266 g, with individual seeds ranging from a minimum of 0.0042 g to a maximum of 0.0088 g. Following seed maturation, the plant employs an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, utilizing wind as the primary mechanism to transport its seeds to new locations.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.0088 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0062266 g

Seed mass min:

0.0042 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Asclepias syriaca has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Romanian journal of physiology : physiological sciences

Chemicals

Asclepias syriaca has 29 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 11-Octadecenoic acid, 9,12-Hexadecadienoic acid, 9-HEXADECENOIC ACID, Asclepiadin, Ash.

11-Octadecenoic acid

1. Dr. Duke

9,12-Hexadecadienoic acid

1. Dr. Duke

9-HEXADECENOIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke

Asclepiadin

1. Dr. Duke

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

CINNAMIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke

Caoutchouc

1. Dr. Duke

Cardiac Glycosides

1. Journal of natural products

Cymarose

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Asclepias syriaca has 141 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, ANS-Paralytic, ANS-Stimulant, Acetylcholinergic, Addictive.

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ANS-Paralytic

1. Dr. Duke

ANS-Stimulant

1. Dr. Duke

Acetylcholinergic

1. Dr. Duke

Addictive

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Asclepias syriaca has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer breast.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations