Asclepias purpurascens

Purple milkweed

Apocynaceae Edible: Flowers, Gum, Leaves, Oil, Seeds, Seedspod Potential hazards — see below 4,371 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Source: Wikipedia

Asclepias purpurascens, or the purple milkweed, is a herbaceous plant species. It is in the genus Asclepias, making it a type of milkweed. It is native to the Eastern, Southern and Midwestern United States similar to the range of the common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). The plant gets its name from the flowers that first develop a pink color but then turn darker purple as they mature. Unlike common milkweed, purple milkweed prefers some shade and is considered a plant of partial shade. It is also considered an indicator of oak savanna, especially in Wisconsin. The species rarely produces seed pods which are smooth, instead of the rough warty ones produced by common milkweed.

Description

A perennial milkweed growing 0.8m tall. Hardy to UK zone 2. Flowers June to August with seeds ripening in September. Self-fertile hermaphrodite flowers pollinated by bees, insects, and lepidoptera. Prefers sandy to loamy, well-drained soils with mildly acid to alkaline pH. Tolerates semi-shade or full sun in dry or moist conditions.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Oil Root Seed Seedpod Shoots Edible Uses: Gum Oil Sweetener The following uses have been recorded for A. speciosa, it is fairly safe to assume they can also be applied to this closely related species. Flower buds - raw or cooked. Tasting somewhat like peas. Young shoots and leaves - cooked. An asparagus substitute. They should not be eaten raw. Tips of older shoots are cooked like spinach. Young seed pods, 3 - 4 cm long, cooked. Very appetizing. Flower clusters can be boiled down to make a sugary syrup or they can be eaten raw. Seed - raw. A chewing gum can be made from the latex contained in the stem and leaves. Root.No further details.

Traditional Uses

The flower buds are eaten raw or cooked.

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. speciosa. 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

Dye Fibre Gum Latex Oil Paper Pollution Stuffing The following uses have been recorded for A. speciosa, it is fairly safe to assume they can also be applied to this closely related species. A good quality tough fibre is obtained from the bark. It is used in twine, coarse cloth, paper etc. The fibre is 10 - 45mm long. It is easily harvested in late autumn, after the plants have died down, by simply pulling it off the dead stems. When making paper, the stems can be retted by leaving them in the ground until they are dry in the winter or they can be harvested in late summer, the leaves removed and the stems steamed to remove the fibre. The stems are then cooked for two hours with lye and pounded with mallets. The paper colour varies from white to creamy green depending on how the paper is made. If the stems are used in the summer the latex will often find its way onto the fibres and is hard to remove. 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. The yield is up to 3%. Pods contain an oil and a wax which are of potential importance. A green dye is obtained from the flowers and leaves combined. Special Uses