Asclepias viridis

Pale green flowers, leaves that are smooth underneath and hoods bent abruptly away from the anther.

Requires full sun, although it will tolerate some shade. It is easily propagated by seed and the seed requires no treatment. The pods split 4-6 weeks after flowering and the seeds should be kept in the pod until ripe. Fresh seed may be sown immediately. The germination of stored seed improves with cold/moist stratification (Steffen 1997). Seeds average approximately 140,000 seed/lb and the recommended planting rate is 25 lbs/acre. Blooms in 1-2 years from seed.Stem cuttings can be taken during the growing season, dipped in rooting harmone, and rooted in sand or potting soil.

Larval host plant of monarch butterflies. Charles Robertson, 1928: (Insects suck nectar; limited information; this observation is from Moure & Hurd) Bees (short-tongued) Halictidae (Halictinae): Augochlorella striata (MH)

All milkweeds are called "herb 'a houatte" by Acadians and is thought to be a variation of "ouate" or "cotton wool". This name may refer to the use of its seed silk as down (Holmes 1990).

Prairies and dry places.