We have 2 types of this essential host plant for the Monarch Butterfly:

Asclepias incarnata

The large, bright, pink terminal blossoms of this tall, showy perennial are made up of small pink flowers. Flowers clustered at the top of a tall, branching stem, bearing numerous narrow, lanceolate leaves. Opposite, narrow, lance-shaped leaves line the erect, open-branched stem. Elongated, tan-brown seed pods persist into winter. The juice of this wetland milkweed is less milky than that of other species. The genus was named in honor of Aesculapius, Greek god of medicine, undoubtedly because some species have long been used to treat a variety of ailments. Incarnata meaning "flesh-colored," "rosy," or "pink-colored."

Asclepias perennis

The genus name “Asclepias” refers to the Greek god of medicine Asklepios, while “perennis” refers to this being a perennial plant. Not to be confused with Asclepias incarnata, white aquatic milkweed flowers are white and typically found in floodplain forests and along streams. Flowers bloom in mid-summer.