~the
flower~
The
common milkweed is a native, upright perennial that produces
sweet-smelling
flowers. The flowers are arranged in pinkish-purple dome-like clusters
of 25-140, which often bow from the weight. They grow anywhere from
2-6',
but usually between 3-4' tall. The fruits are long, fat pods filled
with
fluffy seeds. The common
milkweed usually blooms from June through August.
It grows best in sun to light shade. It is spread
rapidly by rhizomes, and is best planted amongst flowers.
The
opposite leaves are up to 4 inches wide and 8 inches long and covered
with
fine white hairs, especially below. The leaves are broad and leathery
with
pointed tips.
The
sturdy stems are usually individual, covered with short, fine hairs.
When
they become detached,
the stems secrete an abundant amount of milky latex.
~common
names~
common
milkweed, common silkweed, cottonweed, milkweed, silkweed, wild cotton,
virginia-silk, algodoncillo, silky swallowwort, seidenpflanze.
