Etymology: Asclepias: named for the Greek god of healing Asklepios
Plants: erect to weakly-erect, perennial, 1'-3' tall forb, single stem, milky juice
Leaves: 2-5 pairs, opposite, short to mostly stalkless, oval to widely-oblong, smooth, blunt tips, rounded to heart-shaped bases, and wavy edges
Flowers: pink to greenish, 5-parted, 5/8" tall, flattened horns attached well below the hoods; inflorescence usually 1 erect, stalked, many-flowered, large terminal umbel; blooms June-July
Fruits: 4"-5" long pods with many seeds on fine hairs
Habitat: sun to partial sun; dry; prairies, woods; in sandy soil
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Conservation Status: Native

Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 8 Atlas of the Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora: by T.S. Cochrane & H.H. Iltis: habitat, distribution infomation / flowering and fruiting times Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources: Rare Species Guide; description, conservation, photos, maps, etc. USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos