Whorled Milkweed is a tough native perennial which serves as a critical food source for all stages of Monarch butterfly development. The delicate white umbel shaped fragrant flowers appear from June through autumn, on top of the narrow leaves. Asclepias verticillata is one of the last milkweeds to go dormant, making it a valuable late season food source for Monarch butterflies and their caterpillars. The common name ‘Whorled’ refers to the way the leaves circle the stems. Because of Asclepias verticillata’s white sap, Whorled Milkweed is not eaten by deer or rodents. The silky seeds are released in fall from the pods (also useful in dried flower arrangements). The fall foliage color is yellow. This species will colonize to form a large patch.
