Clasping milkweed is a native perennial wildflower in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae) native to eastern United States and found commonly in sandhills or dry woodland areas. It gets its common name because the base of the oppositely arranged leaves wraps around or "clasps" the stem. This is a fairly rare milkweed and is protected in some states. The plant grows 1 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide on a single unbranched stem, but may also be found sprawling on the ground. It prefers sandy to rocky soils in full sun to partial shade. Propagation is by seed. In summer, the upper stem is topped by a cluster of pinkish-purple and green flowers, followed by a seed pod that splits to reveal tufted seeds. It can be identified by its opposite, clasping leaves with wavy edges and a single flower cluster. Stems will ooze a milky latex sap when broken which can cause an allergic reaction in some. Seeds for this plant may be difficult to find but if you have a sandy place to plant clasping milkweed it could be used in a pollinator garden border. It may be best to leave them in the wild. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant disease problems. Most common milkweed pests (aphids, milkweed beetles, Monarch larvae, and milkweed tussock moth larvae) are not problematic, but both large and small milkweed bugs can be very damaging to seed pods.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasionally Dry | Very Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Undulate
Leaf feel
Waxy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Sessile (stalkless) simple, waxy opposite leaves 3"-5" long and 2" wide with a pink to white midrib. Leaf blades are oval shape, have wavy margins, and a blunt tip with a small sharp point at the very top.
Flower color
Pink
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Umbel
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
A solitary rounded terminal cluster of 15 to 80 dark or light pink flowers with cream or green. Flowers arise from a 1" stalk and are 5/8" with 5 extremely recurved pinkish-green petals with pinkish to purple upright coronas. Bloom occurs from May to July and has a rose or clove scent.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Cream/Tan
Fruit type
Follicle
Fruit detail
Follicle displays from June to August an erect brown spindle-shaped pod that splits open to reveal brown tuffted seeds that are wind dispersed.
Stem color
Green; Pink
Stem detail
Green to pinkish smooth stem
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern U.S.A.
Distribution
AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
Can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weakness, lethargy, and confusion if eaten in quantity. Milky sap can cause contact dermatitis and eye irritation.