General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences: Wet Mesic
Mesic
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 3 -40 °C (-40 °F) to -37.2 °C (-35)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 7b
Plant Height: 24 - 48 inches
Plant Spread: 12 - 18 inches
Leaves: Other: Smooth milkweed (also commonly known as Sullivant's milkweed and prairie milkweed) is a rough, weedy perennial which is very similar to common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) except smooth milkweed has (a) smooth (glabrous) stems, leaves and seed pods, (b) l
Fruit: Showy
Other: Smooth seed pods (2-4" long) which split open when ripe releasing their numerous silky-tailed seeds for dispersal by the wind.
Flowers: Showy
Fragrant
Other: Flowers are a nectar source for many butterflies and leaves are a food source for monarch butterfly larvae (caterpillars).
Flower Color: Pink
Other: Pinkish-white to pinkish-purple
Bloom Size: Under 1"
Flower Time: Late spring or early summer
Summer
Other: Long bloom period from late spring well into summer
Underground structures: Rhizome
Uses: Will Naturalize
Wildlife Attractant: Bees
Butterflies
Resistances: Deer Resistant
Rabbit Resistant
Toxicity: Leaves are poisonous
Roots are poisonous
Propagation: Seeds: Provide light
Stratify seeds: 1 month at 40 degrees
Suitable for wintersowing
Other info: Easily grown from seed, and may self-seed in the landscape if seed pods are not removed prior to splitting open.
Propagation: Other methods: Division
Pollinators: Wasps
Moths and Butterflies
Bees
Containers: Not suitable for containers

Image
Common names
  • Prairie Milkweed
  • Sullivant's milkweed
  • Smooth milkweed
  • Milkweed

Photo Gallery
Location: Cook Co., IL
Date: 2020-07-21
Bloom and buds
Location: Southeast Nebraska
Date: 2009-07-02
Location: Cook, Co. IL
Date: 2020-07-05
Preparing to bloom in a domestic situation
Location: James Woodworth Prairie Preserve
Date: June
credit: gmayfield10

Photo Courtesy of Prairie Nursery. Used with Permission
  • Uploaded by Joy

Photo Courtesy of Prairie Nursery. Used with Permission
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: Southeast Nebraska
Date: 2009-07-02
Location: Southeast Nebraska
Date: 2009-07-02

Photo Courtesy of Prairie Nursery.
  • Uploaded by Joy
Comments:
  • Posted by Sempervivoides (Between Chicago and Joliet - Zone 5b) on Jul 31, 2020 1:46 AM concerning plant:
    Not only is this plant popular with pollinators, giant yellow spiders, sphinx moths, and monarch butterflies, but a couple of Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds feed at my plants every day. I have even watched a female stop her wings and perch on a leaf while feeding. This is the hottest spot currently in the garden for activity and diversity of life. I love this plant. The flowers have a gentle, pleasant scent. Since the plant is very smooth, it looks good near my succulents. It is more suited for a wildflower or prairie garden, as it can spread a bit, but not out of control. Popular as a food source for both caterpillar and butterfly stages of the monarch butterfly.
  • Posted by jmorth (central Illinois) on Feb 2, 2012 5:01 AM concerning plant:
    Occasionally found in the northern two thirds of Illinois, rare elsewhere. It's presence is indicative .of a high quality moist to wet prairie. Summer bloomer.

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