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Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

Other Names: Virginia-silk, algodoncillo, silky swallowwort, herbe à la ouate, Seidenpflanze

Description: A perennial with stout, erect stems (Approximately 60cm to 1.5m in height) All parts of the plant exude a milky sap when broken. Young leafs are dark green and waxy, they’re oblong and pointed at the apex, with a prominent white midvein on the surface of the leaf. Stems become red later in the season. Flowers are purplish pin to white and they are fragrant. Each flower is on a long, slender stalk. The fruit are large, teardrop shaped pods that are grayish green and hairy with soft spines.

Habitat: Frequently found in meadows and roadsides and is a weed of nursery and agriculture crops. It prefers well-drained soil and does not tolerate frequent mowing or cultivation.