Poke Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata) is in the Dogbane Family family (Apocynaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,375 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in June.
Nationally it blooms mainly from June to July, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Poke Milkweed: observations by month (U.S.)
About Poke Milkweed
Asclepias exaltata is a species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae known by the common names poke milkweed and tall milkweed. It is native to eastern North America. It blooms from late spring to early summer. The flowers are green and white. Poke milkweed is found in moist woodland habitats. It grows in moist soil and sunny or partly shaded places. It grows from 0.6 to 1.5 meters (2.0 to 4.9 ft) tall.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Poke Milkweed by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 334 | June | Jun–Jul |
| North Carolina | 234 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Georgia | 152 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Wisconsin | 117 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Pennsylvania | 70 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Minnesota | 57 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Illinois | 50 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Michigan | 45 | June | Jun–Jul |
| New York | 35 | June | Jun–Jul |
| West Virginia | 35 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Indiana | 31 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Massachusetts | 31 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Tennessee | 31 | June | May–Jun |
| Ohio | 25 | June | Jun–Jun |
| New Hampshire | 22 | July | Jun–Jul |
| New Jersey | 19 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Vermont | 19 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Maryland | 18 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Kentucky | 12 | May | May–Jun |
| Iowa | 11 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Maine | 11 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Connecticut | 7 | June | Jun–Jul |
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 Poke Milkweed?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from June to July.
Where is Poke Milkweed most often seen?
The most observations come from Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia.