Showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa)
Showy milkweed, also known as Showy milkweed, Beautiful milkweed
Despite being toxic to cats, dogs, and horses, milkweed plays a crucial role as a food source for monarch butterflies and other species. Although it is often labeled as an invasive weed, the plant's silky floss is now being harvested as a cost-effective alternative to goose down for insulating jackets and sleeping bags.
Key Facts About Showy milkweed
Attributes of Showy milkweed
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
46 cm to 1.3 m
Spread
1 m
Leaf Color
Green Blue Gray
Flower Size
2.5 cm
Flower Color
Pink Purple White
Scientific Classification of Showy milkweed
Phylum
Vascular plants
Class
Dicotyledons
Order
Gentianales
Family
Dogbane
Genus
Milkweeds
Species
Showy milkweed
Toxicity
Poisoning from showy milkweed is most likely to occur from accidental ingestion of the sap.