Four-Leaved Milkweed (Asclepias quadrifolia) is in the Dogbane Family family (Apocynaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,126 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from May to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Four-Leaved Milkweed: observations by month (U.S.)
About Four-Leaved Milkweed
Asclepias quadrifolia is a species of milkweed commonly called fourleaf milkweed or whorled milkweed. The plant occurs in the eastern United States and Canada.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Four-Leaved Milkweed by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 212 | May | May–May |
| Kentucky | 160 | May | Apr–May |
| Virginia | 125 | May | May–Jun |
| Arkansas | 123 | May | Apr–May |
| Missouri | 71 | May | May–May |
| Vermont | 51 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Indiana | 50 | May | May–May |
| Tennessee | 50 | May | Apr–May |
| Alabama | 44 | May | Apr–May |
| North Carolina | 43 | May | May–Jun |
| Ohio | 43 | May | May–May |
| Pennsylvania | 30 | June | May–Jun |
| Massachusetts | 25 | June | Jun–Jun |
| West Virginia | 24 | May | May–Jun |
| New York | 23 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Maryland | 18 | May | May–Jun |
| Oklahoma | 16 | April | Apr–May |
| Illinois | 6 | May | May–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Dogbane Family)
Butterfly Milkweed
Common Milkweed
Lesser Periwinkle
Swamp Milkweed
Showy Milkweed
Green Antelopehorns
Narrowleaf Milkweed
Spreading Dogbane
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Four-Leaved Milkweed?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from May to May.
Where is Four-Leaved Milkweed most often seen?
The most observations come from Georgia, Kentucky, Virginia.