Poke Milkweed - Asclepias exaltata

Asclepias exaltata, or Poke Milkweed, is a perennial wildflower native to Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. This milkweed likes the shade! It likes forest openings and edges with medium to dry or rocky soil, usually with oaks, maples, pines, and aspen.
 
Like other milkweeds, this plant hosts Monarch Butterflies and the other insects which are milkweed-dependent. It is a nectar source for many insects, including Monarchs, Fritillaries, and some interesting bees. Now that ours have bloomed, we have seen blue Bellflower Resin Bees and Orange-legged Furrow Bees, among many others. According to Illinois Wildflowers, this plant also feeds shiny, rainbow colored Dogbane Beetles. Did you know that milkweeds are in the dogbane family?
 
Said to reach 5 feet in height, like its cousin Common Milkweed, but in our sandy soil both species are more often 3 feet in height. Poke Milkweed flowers in late June or July with white blossoms on long arching stems. The blossoms can be tinged with cream, green, or purple. Although this plant develops a taproot like other milkweeds, it is not an aggressive spreader.
 
The Poke in the name is because the leaves are similar in shape and color to Pokeweed, although this plant and Pokeweed are not related. Pairs well with Northern Bush Honeysuckle, Calico Aster, Bigleaf Aster, Bluestem Goldenrod, and Hairy and Foxglove Beardtongues. Not as fragrant as Common or Rose Milkweed, but it has a light pleasant scent.