Ontario Wildflowers website

Poke Milkweed
Asclepias exaltata

Family: Dogbane Family (Apocynaceae), (Milkweed Family (Asclepiadaceae))

Group: Milkweeds

Distinctive features: Broad, pointed leaves.

Similar species:
  •   Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) - Flowers are different, grows in more open habitat, leaves are more rounded at end.


Flowers: Summer;  White;  5 parts (petals);  White, sparser & fewer than Common Milkweed.

Leaves: Broad and pointed. Opposite.

Height: 45-150 cm (17-59 in)

Habitat: Forests, Fields and Open Areas;  Open forests.

Grows in Sun/Shade: Shade

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 264    Peterson's Field Guide to Wildflowers: 72    ROM Field Guide to Wildflowers of Ontario: 136   

Native/Non-native: Native

Status: Uncommon.

Notes: Uncommon, easily overlooked, often confused with Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). The flowers of Poke Milkweed are quite different, and the leaves are mor pointed and feel different.

Origin and Meaning of Names:
 Scientific Name: exaltata: tall


Photographs: 153 photographs available, of which 4 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Poke Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata)

Poke Milkweed is not very common in Ontario.

It is most easily identified by its leaves, which are broad and pointed.

Poke Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata)

Poke Milkweed likes to grow in open hardwood forests.

Poke Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata)

The flower head. Notice how the individual flowers droop down.

Poke Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata)

And here's a much closer look at the flower head.

Interesting looking flowers!


Range map for Poke Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)