ManagementĬommon milkweed does well in grain and early planted corn because the shoots emerge after tillage and planting. Similar species: Hemp dogbane ( Apocynum cannabinum L.) differs from common milkweed by its green-white flowers, branching habit in its upper third, smaller leaves measuring 2-4.5” (5-11 cm) long, and long, narrow, curved seedpods. Long, silky hairs are attached to the flattened end. Seeds are large, 0.25-0.5” (0.6-1.3 cm), brown, oval with one flat end the center of the seed is raised and surrounded by a thin, papery margin. Upon seed maturity, pods split open, shedding up to 200 seeds each, and turn grayish brown. Seeds develop in 3-5” (7.5- 13 cm) long, teardrop shaped, bumpy, hairy, spiny, gray green seed pods pods tend to grow in pairs. Globes of fragrant, stalked, purple-pink to white flowers grow from upper leaf axils and stem tips. The entire plant exudes a white, milky sap when cut. In deep, well-drained soil, roots can penetrate to 8 ft (2.4 m) (Robbins et al. The mature plant has a large underground system of thick, white horizontal storage roots. Secondary veins do not reach the edge of the gently tapered, 3-8” (7.5-20 cm) long, ellipse-shaped leaves. Leaves are green and hairless on the top, lighter green and hairy on their undersides. Leaves are opposite and borne upon 0.4” (1 cm) long stalks. Mature plants reach 3-5 ft (0.9-1.5 m) tall on a single hollow, hairy, unbranched stem the stem is green, turning red with maturity. Vegetative sprouts arising from underground roots are far more robust and common than seedlings sprout stems are capped with a folded clump of leaves that unfolds as the stem elongates. True leaves are opposite, waxy, pointy tipped, and dark green with a prominent, white mid-vein. Cotyledons are 0.25-0.5” (0.6-1.3 cm) long, largely untapered, dull green with prominent veins, long-stalks, and round tips. Habit: Erect, unbranched, perennial herb spreading by deep thickened storage roots.ĭescription: S eedlings have light green, smooth stems. Other common names: silkweed, milkweed, cotton-weed, Virginia silk, wild cotton, silky milkweed, common silkweed, showy milkweed, swallow-wort Bottom: Common milkweed stand in flower (Randall Prostak, University of Massachusetts). Upper right: Common milkweed dehiscent follicles (Scott Morris, Cornell University). Images above: Upper left: Common milkweed follicles (Antonio DiTommasso, Cornell University).
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