Common Milkweed, Silkweed, Milkweed

Asclepias syriaca

Physical Characteristics

Asclepias syriaca is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, insects, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

Eastern N. America - New Brunswick to Saskatchewan, south to N. Carolina, Kansas and Georgia.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Oil Oil Seed Seedpod Shoots Edible Uses: Gum Oil Oil Sweetener Unopened flower buds - cooked. They taste somewhat like peas. They are used like broccoli[183]. Flowers and young flower buds - cooked. They have a mucilaginous texture and a pleasant flavour, they can be used as a flavouring and a thickener in soups etc[55, 102, 257]. The flower clusters can be boiled down to make a sugary syrup[2, 85]. The flowers are harvested in the early morning with the dew still on them[95]. When boiled up they make a brown sugar[95]. Young shoots - cooked. An asparagus substitute[2, 4, 43, 55, 62, 95, 183]. They should be used when less than 20cm tall[159]. A slightly bitter taste[159]. Tips of older shoots are cooked like spinach[85, 183]. Young seed pods, 3 - 4 cm long, cooked[2, 43, 55, 85]. They are very appetizing. Best used when about 2 - 4cm long and before the seed floss forms, on older pods remove any seed floss before cooking them[85, 159]. If picked at the right time, the pods resemble okra[183]. The sprouted seeds can be eaten[183]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed[55, 171]. The latex in the stems is a suitable replacement for chicle and can be made into a chewing gum[46, 61, 269]. It is not really suitable for use in tyres[269]. The latex is found mainly in the leaves and is destroyed by frost[112]. Yields are higher on dry soils[112].

Medicinal Uses

Anodyne Contraceptive Diaphoretic Diuretic Emetic Expectorant Homeopathy Purgative Warts The root is anodyne, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, expectorant and purgative[4, 21, 222]. It has been used in the treatment of asthma, kidney stones, venereal disease etc[254, 257]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. An infusion of the pounded roots has been used by the women of some native North American Indian tribes to promote temporary sterility[213, 257]. The leaves and/or the latex are used in folk remedies for treating cancer and tumours[269]. The milky latex from the stems and leaves is used in the treatment of warts[4, 159, 222, 257]. The latex needs to be applied at least daily over a period of up to a few weeks to be effective. The stems can be cooked and applied as a poultice on rheumatic joints[257]. One reported Mohawk antifertility concoction contained milkweed and jack-in-the-pulpit, both considered contraceptive. Dried and pulverized, a fistful of milkweed and three Arisaema rhizomes were infused in a pint of water for 20 minutes. The infusion was drunk, a cupful an hour, to induce temporary sterility[269]. The rhizome is used in homeopathy as an antioedemic and emmenagogue in the treatment of dropsy and dysmenorrhoea[269].

Known Hazards

Although no specific reports have been seen for this species, many, if not all, members of this genus contain toxic resinoids, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides[274]. They are usually avoided by grazing animals[274]. The older leaves are poisonous if eaten in large quantities[20, 21]. The plant contains cardioactive compounds and is potentially toxic[222].