You are bidding on about 25 SWAMP MILKWEED SEEDS - Asclepias incarnata .

I'm also selling these as live plants - see my other items for sale .

This is an erect, clump-forming, native plant which is commonly found in swamps, river bottomlands and wet meadows .

It typically grows 3-4' tall (less frequently to 5') on branching stems. 

Small, fragrant, pink to mauve flowers (1/4" wide), each with five reflexed petals and an elevated central crown, appear in tight clusters (umbels) at the stem ends in summer. Flowers are uncommonly white. Narrow, lance-shaped, taper-pointed leaves are 3-6" long.

Stems exude a toxic milky sap when cut. Flowers are followed by attractive seed pods (to 4" long) which split open when ripe releasing silky-haired seeds easily carried by the wind.

Zone: 3 to 6

Bloom Time: July to August

Sun: Full sun

Medicinal use of Swamp Milkweed: A tea made from the roots is anthelmintic, carminative, diuretic, emetic, strongly laxative and stomachic. The tea is said to remove tapeworms from the body in one hour. It has also been used in the treatment of asthma, rheumatism, syphilis, worms and as a heart tonic. An infusion of the roots is used as a strengthening bath for children and adults

Edible parts of Swamp Milkweed: Unopened flower buds - cooked. Tasting somewhat like peas. They can also be dried and stored for later use. Young shoots - cooked. An asparagus substitute. Tips of older shoots are cooked like spinach. Young seed pods, harvested when 3 - 4 cm long - cooked. A pea-like flavor, they are very appetizing. The flower clusters can be boiled down to make a sugary syrup.

Other uses : A good quality fiber is obtained from the bark. It is used in twine, cloth etc. It is easily harvested in late autumn, after the plants have died down, by simply pulling it off the dead stems. The seed floss is used to stuff pillows etc or is mixed with other fibers to make cloth. It is a Kapok substitute, it is used in Life Jackets or as a stuffing material. It is very water repellent. The floss has also been used to mop up oil spills at sea. Rubber can be made from latex contained in the leaves and stems. Pods contain an oil and a wax which are of potential importance.