Swamp Milkweed

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is in the Dogbane Family family (Apocynaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 4,352 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.

Nationally it blooms mainly from July to August, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.

When to photograph Swamp Milkweed: observations by month (U.S.)

About Swamp Milkweed

Asclepias incarnata, the swamp milkweed, rose milkweed, rose milkflower, swamp silkweed, or white Indian hemp, is a herbaceous perennial plant species native to North America. It grows in damp to wet soils and also is cultivated as a garden plant for its flowers, which attract butterflies and other pollinators with nectar. Like most other milkweeds, it has sap containing toxic chemicals, a characteristic that repels insects and other herbivorous animals.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Swamp Milkweed by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related wildflowers (Dogbane Family)

Butterfly MilkweedAsclepias tuberosa

Common MilkweedAsclepias syriaca

Lesser PeriwinkleVinca minor

Showy MilkweedAsclepias speciosa

Green AntelopehornsAsclepias viridis

Narrowleaf MilkweedAsclepias fascicularis

Spreading DogbaneApocynum androsaemifolium

Greater PeriwinkleVinca major

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