Asclepias incarnata aka Swamp Milkweed

Asclepias incarnata, commonly known as swamp milkweed, rose milkweed, rose milkflower, swamp silkweed, or white Indian hemp, is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial plant native to North America. It thrives in damp to wet soils and is often cultivated in gardens for its attractive flowers, which not only add beauty but also attract butterflies and other pollinators with their nectar. Similar to other milkweeds, this plant contains latex with toxic chemicals that serve as a defense mechanism against insects and herbivorous animals. The 'Ice Ballet' variety of Asclepias incarnata grows in clumps and reaches a height of approximately 1.2m. It features narrow, lance-shaped dark green leaves. From midsummer to autumn, the plant produces small fragrant white flowers in dense clusters on sturdy stems. These flowers are followed by seed pods that split open to release silky-haired seeds. This showy perennial boasts large, bright, rose-purple flowers that form at the top of tall, branching stems. The stems are lined with numerous narrow, lanceolate leaves. Elongated tan-brown seed pods persist into the winter season. Although the juice of this wetland milkweed is less milky compared to other species, it still possesses medicinal properties. The genus name, Asclepias, honors Aesculapius, the Greek god of medicine, as these plants have long been utilized in treating various ailments. The species name, incarnata, refers to the flesh-colored appearance of the plant.