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In flower at Nachusa Grasslands in Illinois
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Line drawing
Asclepias amplexicaulis | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Gentianales |
Family: | Apocynaceae |
Genus: | Asclepias |
Species: | A. amplexicaulis
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Binomial name | |
Asclepias amplexicaulis |
Asclepias amplexicaulis, the blunt-leaved milkweed, clasping milkweed, or sand milkweed, is a species of flowering plant in the subfamily Asclepiadoideae (Apocynaceae).[1][2] It is endemic to the United States, where it is mostly found east of the Great Plains.[3] It grows in dry prairies, savannas, open woods, and fallow fields, usually in sandy soil.[2][4][5]
It grows 1–3 ft (0.30–0.91 m) high and produces flowers in the summer.[4]
This plant was eaten as food historically. However, it contains a poison dangerous to humans and livestock, so caution must be used if ingesting this plant.[6]