Prairie Milkweed

Prairie Milkweed! It's a lovely native wildflower with a lot to offer, both to you and the ecosystem. Here's what I can tell you about it:

General Information:
Scientific name: Asclepias sullivantii
Common names: Prairie Milkweed, Sullivant's Milkweed
Family: Asclepiadaceae
Native range: Midwest and Great Plains states, including Texas, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan
Habitat: Prairies, meadows, thickets, open woodlands
Appearance:
Height: 2-3 feet tall
Flowers: Fragrant, pink or lavender clusters that bloom mid-summer to early fall
Leaves: Smooth, opposite, oblong or ovate-oblong, 3-6 inches long
Seed pods: Smooth or slightly warty, containing silky seeds for wind dispersal
Benefits:
Pollinator magnet: Attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, including monarchs that use it as a host plant for their larvae.
Habitat restoration: Supports a variety of pollinators and other insects, contributing to a healthy ecosystem.

Beautiful addition to gardens: Easy to grow in sunny, well-drained areas, adding vibrant color and attracting beneficial insects.

Drought tolerant: Deep taproot helps it survive in dry periods.
Growing Tips:

Propagation: Best from seeds or rootstock division.
Soil: Prefers well-drained, medium-moisture soil.

Sun: Full sun is ideal.
Watering: Water regularly during the first year, then can tolerate dry periods.
Maintenance: Minimal needed, mainly deadheading spent flowers and removing seed pods if desired.

Additional Notes:
Prairie Milkweed is listed as threatened in some states, so planting it can help with conservation efforts.
All parts of the milkweed plant are toxic to humans and animals, so handle with care and do not ingest.

Prairie Milkweed, also known as Sullivant's Milkweed, thrives in many areas, its native range is concentrated in certain states:

Primary Native Range:
Iowa: Widely distributed throughout the state.
Illinois: Found in most counties, primarily in prairies and open woodlands.
Minnesota: Occurs in the southern and western portions, particularly in remnant prairies.
Wisconsin: Native to southwestern Wisconsin, though populations have declined.
Michigan: Primarily found in the Lower Peninsula, especially in dry prairies and savannas.

Secondary Native Range:
North Dakota: Scattered populations in the eastern part of the state.
South Dakota: Occurs in the southeastern corner, along the Missouri River.
Nebraska: Native to the eastern and southern regions, but populations have dwindled.
Missouri: Limited distribution in the western part of the state.
Kansas: Present in the eastern third, mainly in tallgrass prairies.
Indiana: Primarily found in the northwestern portion, with scattered populations elsewhere.
Ohio: Native to northwestern Ohio, with isolated populations in other areas.
Oklahoma: Limited populations in the northern and eastern parts.
Arkansas: Very small populations in the northwestern corner.
Texas: Native to extreme northeast Texas, near the Oklahoma border.