Asclepias purpurascens, commonly called purple milkweed, is a herbaceous perennial that commonly occurs in dry to moist open woods, dry ridge tops, thickets, glades, prairie openings, stream banks and wet meadows throughout Missouri and …

A member of the Asclepiadacea family, purple milkweed is found growing primarily in Eastern North America. It is a native perennial listed as endangered in Massachusetts and Wisconsin, and as a species of special concern in Tennessee and Connecticut.

The much sought-after Asclepias purpurascens, Purple Milkweed looks similar to Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), but the flower color is a rich red-purple color compared to the soft gray-pink of Common Milkweed. There are usually one to three blooms that form near the ends of the stems in late spring, early summer.

Asclepias purpurascens, the purple milkweed, is a herbaceous plant species. It is in the genus Asclepias, making it a type of milkweed. It is native to the Eastern, Southern and Midwestern United States similar to the range of the common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca).

Purple Milkweed is a perennial wildflower native to eastern and central USA. It is a rare species in NC but can be found in swampy areas to dry woodlands and meadows of the Piedmont and mountains. The plant is similar to common milkweed but the flowers are a …

Resembling Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed), Asclepias purpurascens (Purple Milkweed) is a rhizomatous perennial prized for its domed clusters of rich rose-pink, starry flowers, which bloom from late spring to midsummer.

Asclepias purpurascens Milkweed family (Asclepiadaceae) Description: This perennial plant is about 1¾-2¾' tall and unbranched. The central stem is light green, round in cross-section (terete), and glabrous to finely pubescent. The opposite leaves are up to 6" long and 3" across.

Biology: Asclepias purpurascens is a perennial arising from a stout root. It flowers in June and July and fruit development occurs through August. As in other species of Asclepias, the flowers are highly modified for insect pollination. Adjacent anthers are joined together by two arms (translators) to a gland known as the corpusculum.

Flowers are about 1/3 inch across and about ½ inch long, with 5 petals angled down and out with tips pointing up, deep purple throughout though can exhibit lighter shades to pink. The 5 hoods are light pink to rose to purple, more than twice as tall as the flower center column. Horns also pink to rose, short, flat and curved in over flower center.

Purple milkweed is a rugged perennial plant native to a large region of North America from the Midwest to the East Coast. This is one of the more colorful milkweed species with rich deep pink to purple flower clusters that have an attractive rounded form. Purple milkweed is a good alternative to common milkweed if space is a problem.