Red Milkweed
(Asclepias rubra)

Red Milkweed (Asclepias rubra)

Alternative Names

tall pink bog milkweed and purple savanna milkweed

Description of Red Milkweed (Asclepias rubra)

Red Milkweed (Asclepias rubra), a member of the Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family), is a herbaceous perennial that grows from 1′ to 3′ tall and blooms with pink, purple, red to lavender flowers from spring to summer (May to August).  The fruits, which are follicles, mature in the late summer and fall.  More information can be found on this blog post about Red Milkweed.

Hosted Species

Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)

Queen Butterfly (Danaus gilippus)

Nectar Species

This species is used by other insects and is food for birds and mammals.

Habitat

This species grows in wet open areas such as bogs, wet meadows, and pine barrens.

Range of Red Milkweed (Asclepias rubra) in the United States and Canada

Interesting Facts

The genus name, Asclepias, is named for the Greek god of healing.  The species name, rubra, comes from Latin for “red” in reference to the flower color.