Snowy or White Swamp Milkweed, Asclepias perennis

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Asclepias perennis. A few common names are Snowy milkweed, Aquatic milkweed, or Swamp milkweed. This is another very adaptable plant. I have sandy conditions on the property, and it is doing very well. This milkweed grows one to three feet high and one foot wide. 'Perennis' is Latin for perennial which it is. In Spring new growth will appear and the time to bloom is May through September. This milkweed does not produce the fluffy threads called a 'coma'. The seeds are flat and 'winged' shape to float. Then, water ways are used to disperse the seed. This milkweed is easy to identify early because the flower buds are topped with pink on the closed petals. This does very well in more shaded areas. 

The native range of Asclepias perennis is within thirteen states in the Southeast. In Florida its natural habitat is in Central to Northern parts of the state. ( USDA Plants Database)

 Larval host to the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus) and soldier butterfly, (Danaus eresimus). Despite its name, this is not the preferred larval host of the monarch.