Poke Milkweed is an herbaceous perennial wildflower plant in the dogbane (Apocynaceae) family, native to eastern Canada to north central and eastern United States, including North Carolina. Growing in moist woodland habitats, forest edges or openings, along waterways, and on slopes, it is most often found in the mountains. The Genus honors the Greek god of medicine, Asclepius (Asklepios); the species name comes from the Latin exaltata, meaning “lofty,” and refers to the plants being very tall. The leaves’ similarity to those of American Pokeweed is the source of the common name Poke Milkweed. Requires moist, acid-to-neutral pH soil with high organic content in partial shade or dappled sunlight, to full sun. Propagate from seeds. Grows best in naturalized plantings on woodland edges. Also consider including poke milkweed in butterfly, native, or pollinator gardens, as well as in borders. Umbels of drooping flowers give this species a unique look. Milkweed is an important food source for Monarch butterfly caterpillars. Its flowers are visited by many pollinators. 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.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | 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
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 10 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green; Purple/Lavender
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Green leaves with purplish veins are simple, entire, arranged oppositely and attached by short (approximately .5 inch) petioles. They are 2 to 11 inches long and 1 to 4 inches wide, ending in a pointed tip; smooth on top, but hairy underneath.
Flower color
Green; Purple/Lavender; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Umbel
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Loose umbels, both terminal and upper axillary, have 10 to 25 small white flowers touched with green and lavender, each with 5 petals with reflexed light pink corollas. The corollas have light pink hoods with protruding horns. Each flower is on a long (.75 to 2 inches), drooping pedicel. Blooms in summer.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Follicle
Fruit size
> 3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Fruit detail
Fruits are smooth follicles forming upright 3- to 6-inch long pods filled with brown seeds attached to coma (white fluffy fiber) that facilitates wind dispersal
Stem color
Green; Purple/Lavender
Stem detail
Plant stems are green, smooth or slightly hairy; umbel stems are purplish.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
North America
Distribution
CT, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV Canada: ON, QC
Wildlife value
Nectar and larval host plant that attracts bees, butterflies (notably Monarchs), hummingbirds (milkweeds are a source of insects as well as nectar), moths (especially milkweed tussock moths and their larvae), pollinators, predatory Insects, and specialized bees.
Milkweed Bug; Aphids on Ornamental Landscape Plants
Problems
Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses
Resistant to
Deer
Poison severity
Low
Poison symptoms
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.