Asclepias syriaca 30 PCS fresh seeds, Common milkweed, Butterfly flower, Silkweed, Silky swallow-wort, Virginia silkweed, Herb seeds, Organic seeds, Non GMO

🌱 Asclepias syriaca — Common milkweed, Butterfly flower, Silkweed, Silky swallow-wort, Virginia silkweed

Asclepias syriaca is a perennial herbaceous plant, belonging to the Apocynaceae family. This species is known for its high germination rate and is a great choice for gardeners and nature enthusiasts. The seeds are organic, non-GMO, and fresh.

🌿 Botanical Description

Asclepias syriaca can grow up to 1-2 meters in height. Its leaves are opposite, simple, broad, ovate-lanceolate, 7-25 cm long and 3-12 cm wide, usually with a wavy edge and a red central vein. The inflorescence is an umbrella-shaped cluster of flowers. The flowers are grayish-purple or pink-purple, 1-2 cm in diameter, and fragrant. They have complex adaptations for pollination by insects. The fruit is a swollen sickle-shaped green box with a corrugated surface, which opens on the sides when ripe. The seeds are dark brown, equipped with long snow-white silky hairs.

🌾 Growing & Agrotechnics

• Sow seeds 1-2 cm deep in well-draining soil in early spring or late summer/early fall. Stratification is not required.
• Germination temperature: 20-25°C, germination time: 1-3 weeks.
• Soil type: well-draining soil, pH: 6.0-7.0.
• Watering: keep the soil consistently moist during the first year. Fertilization: use a balanced fertilizer in the spring.
• USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9, frost tolerance: moderate.

🗺️ Natural Growing Areas

Asclepias syriaca is native to Eastern North America, from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. It grows in a variety of habitats, including dry woods, prairies, and along roadsides. The altitude range is from sea level to 1,500 meters.

✨ Interesting Facts

Asclepias syriaca has been used as a medicinal plant for centuries. The seeds contain up to 20-25% of fatty oil, which can be used for cooking and as a natural remedy. The plant is also a good honey plant and can be used as a food source for young plants, similar to asparagus. With seed propagation, plants bloom in the second or third year. Flowering occurs in the second half of summer, lasting 3-4 weeks.