Asclepias lanceolata

Walter

Purple silkweed

Apocynaceae Edible: Flowers, Gum, Leaves, Seeds pod Potential hazards — see below 3,251 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Asclepias lanceolata, the fewflower milkweed, is a species of milkweed that is native to the coastal plain of the United States from New Jersey to Florida and Southeast Texas. A. lanceolata is an upright, perennial plant that can grow between 3 and 5 feet tall, with red-orange flowers blooming in the summer months. It can also be referred to as Cedar Hill milkweed, as it was first described by Dr. Eli Ives in the neighborhood of Cedar Hill in New Haven, Connecticut.

Description

Perennial growing to 1.2 m. Hardy to UK zone 5. Flowers June to August with seeds ripening in September. Hermaphroditic, self-fertile, and pollinated by bees, insects, and butterflies. Thrives in light sandy or medium loamy, well-drained soil with mildly acid to basic pH. Tolerates semi-shade to full sun and both dry and moist conditions.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Seedpod Shoots Edible Uses: Gum Sweetener The following uses have been recorded for the closely related A. rubra. They probably also apply to this closely related species. Flower buds - cooked as potherbs or added to soups. Young shoots and leaves - cooked as potherbs or added to soups. Young seed pods, 3 - 4 cm long, cooked. Flower clusters can be boiled down to make a sugary syrup. A chewing gum can be made from the latex contained in the stem and leaves, but it is possibly toxic.

Traditional Uses

The flowers are edible.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

Warts The latex is used as a cure for warts.

Known Hazards

Although no specific reports have been seen for this species, many, if not all, members of this genus contain toxic resinoids, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides. They are usually avoided by grazing animals.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

North America, USA,

Cultivation

Prefers a well-drained light rich or peaty soil and a sunny position. A very ornamental plant, it is closely related to A. rubra. This species has less flowers than most other members of the genus. Many members of this genus seem to be particularly prone to damage by slugs. The young growth in spring is especially vulnerable, but older growth is also attacked and even well-established plants have been destroyed in wet years. Plants resent root disturbance and are best planted into their final positions whilst small. The flower of many members of this genus can trap insects between its anther cells, the struggles of the insect in escaping ensure the pollination of the plant.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in the autumn or in late winter. We have also had good results from sowing the seed in the greenhouse in early spring, though stored seed might need 2 - 3 weeks cold stratification. Germination usually takes place in 1 - 3 months at 18°c. As soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out when they are in active growth in late spring or early summer and give them some protection from slugs until they are growing away strongly. Division in spring. With great care since the plant resents root disturbance. Pot the divisions up and place them in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse until they are growing away strongly, then plant them out in the summer, giving them some protection from slugs until they are established.. Basal cuttings in late spring. Use shoots about 10cm long with as much of their white underground stem as possible. Pot them up individually and place them in a lightly shaded position in a greenhouse until they are rooting and growing actively. If the plants grow sufficiently, they can be put into their permanent positions in the summer, otherwise keep them in the greenhouse until the following spring and when they are in active growth plant them out into their permanent positions. Give them some protection from slugs until they are established.

Other Uses

Fibre Gum Latex Stuffing The following uses have been recorded for many other members of this genus, it is fairly safe to assume they can also be applied to this species. A fibre is obtained from the bark. It is used in twine, coarse cloth, paper etc. The seed floss is used to stuff pillows etc or is mixed with other fibres to make cloth. It is a Kapok substitute, used in Life Jackets or as a stuffing material. It is very water repellent. The floss has also been used to mop up oil spills at sea. Rubber can be made from latex contained in the leaves and the stems. Special Uses