Cedar Creek Natural History Area

Plants of Cedar Creek

Seven species of Asclepias (Milkweeds) are found on the Area.  Flowers are a peculiar 5-up 5-down petaled affair.  Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera pollinators leave these nectar-rewarding plants with pollenia draped over their legs.  A. syriaca (Common Milkweed) is a common pink-flowered species of disturbed areas.  A. incarnata (Swamp Milkweed) is a common dark pink-flowered species of marshland.  A. tuberosa (Butterflyweed) is the spectacular orange-flowered species of savanna areas.  Also fairly common in savanna and open woods is the white-flowered A. ovalifolia (Oval-leaved Milkweed). A. verticillata (Whirled Milkweed) is an uncommon species of xeric fields as is A. viridiflora (=Acerates: Green Milkweed).  A. exaltata was encountered along NSLR in 2001.