Species library · Plants & herbs

Tropical Milkweed: poisonous

Asclepias curassavica

☠ Poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

Tropical Milkweed is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. When in doubt, have a find identified by an expert.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from January to December in the northern hemisphere. Found in Disturbed ground, Grassland. Can be confused with similar species.

☠ Poisonous
Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica)

Photo: (c) Ricard Busquets Reverte, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ricard Busquets Reverte · iNaturalist

When Tropical Milkweed appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Where it grows

Tropical Milkweed is usually found in Disturbed ground, Grassland.

Look up Tropical Milkweed in the app

In the Forage app, Tropical Milkweed has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

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Tropical Milkweed: common questions

Is Tropical Milkweed poisonous?

Yes. Tropical Milkweed is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does Tropical Milkweed appear?

Tropical Milkweed usually appears from January to December in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

Where does Tropical Milkweed grow?

Tropical Milkweed is usually found in Disturbed ground, Grassland.

What can Tropical Milkweed be confused with?

Toxic look-alikes: Butterfly Weed, Common Milkweed, Swamp Milkweed. Only a confident identification tells them apart. When in doubt, have a find checked by an expert.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits