Asclepias cinerea, also known as Carolina milkweed or ashy milkweed, is a herbaceousperennial plant species in the genus Asclepias. It is native to the United States where its range is concentrated in the Southeast.[2]
The genus Ascelpias is named after the Ancient Greek god of medicine, Asclepius. The specific epithet, cinerea, is from the Latin cinereus, meaning ash-colored or ash-gray. The common name, milkweed, comes from the white, milky latex that the plant secretes when the stem or leaves are injured.[3]
Descriptionedit
A. cinerea leaves
Asclepias cinerea is a perennial herb that is grass-like in appearance with a thin, smooth stem that reaches 2 ft (0.61 m) in height. Leaves are 2 to 4 in (51 to 102 mm) long, linear, narrow, glabrous, and oppositely arranged. Flowers are sparse and loosely arranged in axillary or terminal umbels. Each flower has a five-lobed corolla (petals) that are flat or reflexed and range from ashy-gray, pale violet, to pale rose. The fruit is a follicle that is smooth, slender, and 3 to 4 in (76 to 102 mm) long. When the follicle matures, it splits open releasing seeds. Each seed has white fluffy hairs (pappus) attached that aid in wind dispersal.[3][4]
Ecologyedit
Like other milkweed species, A. cinerea is a host plant for the monarch (Danaus plexippus) and queen (Danaus gilippus) butterflies. It is also an important nectar source for other butterflies, bees, wasps, and beetles.[5]
Distribution and habitatedit
A. cinerea in mesic flatwoods
This species is found in the Southeastern Coastal Plain from eastern South Carolina, down to the Florida panhandle, and west to southern Mississippi. It was also historically found in North Carolina, but is now extirpated.[4] Its native habitats include pine-wiregrass savannas, flatwoods, sandhills, bogs, and pine-scrub oak ridges.[2][3]
Conservation statusedit
A. cinerea is listed as an S1 species (Critically Imperiled) by NatureServe in Alabama and South Carolina. Globally it is listed as a G4 species (Apparently Secure), which means there is a fairly low risk of extinction, but there is possible cause for some concerns due to local recent declines, threats, or other factors.[6]
^ abMarcus, Joseph A. "Asclepias cinerea" Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Plant Database, 14 August 2017,
^ abc"Carolina milkweed." Florida Wildflower Foundation, 23 August 2019.
^ abWeakley, Alan S.; Southeastern Flora Team (2022). "Flora of the southeastern United States". University of North Carolina Herbarium, North Carolina Botanical Garden.
^Cox, Robert. "Milkweed (Asclepias cinerea), a Comprehensive Guide in 10 Sections". McMullen House, 23 February 2023,
^"Asclepias cinerea". NatureServe Explorer, 7 April 2023,
January 01, 1970
asclepias, cinerea, also, known, carolina, milkweed, ashy, milkweed, herbaceous, perennial, plant, species, genus, asclepias, native, united, states, where, range, concentrated, southeast, carolina, milkweed, conservation, status, apparently, secure, natureser. Asclepias cinerea also known as Carolina milkweed or ashy milkweed is a herbaceous perennial plant species in the genus Asclepias It is native to the United States where its range is concentrated in the Southeast 2 Carolina milkweed Conservation status Apparently Secure NatureServe 1 Scientific classification Kingdom Plantae Clade Tracheophytes Clade Angiosperms Clade Eudicots Clade Asterids Order Gentianales Family Apocynaceae Genus Asclepias Species A cinerea Binomial name Asclepias cinereaWalter Contents 1 Etymology 2 Description 3 Ecology 4 Distribution and habitat 5 Conservation status 6 ReferencesEtymology edit nbsp Flower The genus Ascelpias is named after the Ancient Greek god of medicine Asclepius The specific epithet cinerea is from the Latin cinereus meaning ash colored or ash gray The common name milkweed comes from the white milky latex that the plant secretes when the stem or leaves are injured 3 Description edit nbsp A cinerea leaves Asclepias cinerea is a perennial herb that is grass like in appearance with a thin smooth stem that reaches 2 ft 0 61 m in height Leaves are 2 to 4 in 51 to 102 mm long linear narrow glabrous and oppositely arranged Flowers are sparse and loosely arranged in axillary or terminal umbels Each flower has a five lobed corolla petals that are flat or reflexed and range from ashy gray pale violet to pale rose The fruit is a follicle that is smooth slender and 3 to 4 in 76 to 102 mm long When the follicle matures it splits open releasing seeds Each seed has white fluffy hairs pappus attached that aid in wind dispersal 3 4 Ecology editLike other milkweed species A cinerea is a host plant for the monarch Danaus plexippus and queen Danaus gilippus butterflies It is also an important nectar source for other butterflies bees wasps and beetles 5 Distribution and habitat edit nbsp A cinerea in mesic flatwoods This species is found in the Southeastern Coastal Plain from eastern South Carolina down to the Florida panhandle and west to southern Mississippi It was also historically found in North Carolina but is now extirpated 4 Its native habitats include pine wiregrass savannas flatwoods sandhills bogs and pine scrub oak ridges 2 3 Conservation status editA cinerea is listed as an S1 species Critically Imperiled by NatureServe in Alabama and South Carolina Globally it is listed as a G4 species Apparently Secure which means there is a fairly low risk of extinction but there is possible cause for some concerns due to local recent declines threats or other factors 6 References edit NatureServe Explorer 2 0 a b Marcus Joseph A Asclepias cinerea Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Plant Database 14 August 2017 a b c Carolina milkweed Florida Wildflower Foundation 23 August 2019 a b Weakley Alan S Southeastern Flora Team 2022 Flora of the southeastern United States University of North Carolina Herbarium North Carolina Botanical Garden Cox Robert Milkweed Asclepias cinerea a Comprehensive Guide in 10 Sections McMullen House 23 February 2023 Asclepias cinerea NatureServe Explorer 7 April 2023 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Asclepias cinerea amp oldid 1162917097, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
