Oval-leaf milkweed (Asclepias ovalifolia)
Other names dwarf milkweed, low milkweed, oval-leaved milkweed
At a glance
- Lifecycle
- Perennial (hardy)
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Frost limit
- −23.3 °C
Cultivation
Succeeds in any good soil. This species is closely related to A. syriaca. A good bee plant. Many members of this genus seem to be particularly prone to damage by slugs. The young growth in spring is especially vulnerable, but older growth is also attacked and even well-established plants have been destroyed in wet years[K]. Plants resent root disturbance and are best planted into their final positions whilst small.
Propagation
Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in the autumn or in late winter. As soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out when they are in active growth in late spring or early summer and give them some protection from slugs until they are growing away strongly. Division in spring. With great care since the plant resents root disturbance. Pot the divisions up and place them in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse until they are growing away strongly, then plant them out in the summer, giving them some protection from slugs until they are established.. Basal cuttings in late spring. Use shoots about 10cm long with as much of their white underground stem as possible. Pot them up individually and place them in a lightly shaded position in a greenhouse until they are rooting and growing actively. If the plants grow sufficiently, they can be put into their permanent positions in the summer, otherwise keep them in the greenhouse until the following spring and when they are in active growth plant them out into their permanent positions. Give them some protection from slugs until they are established.
Edible uses
The following reports refer to the closely related A. syriaca, and are probably also appropriate for this species[K]. Unopened flower buds - cooked. They taste somewhat like peas. They are used like broccoli. Flowers and young flower buds - cooked. Used as a flavouring and a thickener in soups etc. The flower clusters can be boiled down to make a sugary syrup. Young shoots - cooked. An asparagus substitute. Tips of older shoots are cooked like spinach. Young seed pods, 3 - 4 cm long, cooked. The sprouted seeds can be eaten. An edible oil is obtained from the seed. The latex in the stems is made into a chewing gum.
Material uses
The following reports refer to the closely related A. syriaca, and are probably also appropriate for this species[K]. A good quality fibre is obtained from the bark and is used in making twine, cloth, paper etc. The seed floss is used to stuff pillows etc or is mixed with other fibres to make cloth. Rubber can be made from latex contained in the leaves and the stems. Pods contain an oil and a wax which are of potential importance. The seed contains up to 20% of an edible semi-drying oil.
Habitat
Sandy, gravelly or clayey soils of prairies and woodlands.
Native range
Central N. America.