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Asclepias incarnata

Asclepias incarnata

9.9
A tall wetland plant with clusters of pink, white, or purple flowers that attract butterflies
  • noun
  • /ˌæskləˈpiːəs ɪnˈkɑrnəˌtɑ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Asclepias incarnata
  • The garden was filled with Asclepias incarnata, attracting butterflies all summer long.

Examples

  • Many conservationists plant Asclepias incarnata to support monarch butterfly populations.

  • With its bright blooms, Asclepias incarnata adds a splash of color to wetland areas.

  • The Asclepias incarnata blooms beautifully in summer.

  • Many gardeners love Asclepias incarnata for its vibrant flowers.

  • Many conservationists plant Asclepias incarnata to support monarch butterfly populations.

  • The garden was filled with Asclepias incarnata, attracting butterflies all summer long.

  • With its bright blooms, Asclepias incarnata adds a splash of color to wetland areas.

Synonyms

swamp milkweed
vsAsclepias incarnata
  • US
8.6

A plant that grows in wet places with clusters of pink or white flowers

is the botanical species in the key and is the common name used there
marsh milkweed
vsAsclepias incarnata
  • US
9.1

A wetland plant with pink flower clusters that attract bees and butterflies

is the same species named in the key but uses a different common name

Surface Forms

Morphology

Asclepias + incarnata

This is a Linnaean binomial (a scientific Latin species name) functioning as a taxonomic proper noun rather than a compositional English phrase, so its common meaning ('swamp milkweed') is not derivable by combining the listed constituents. The epithet 'incarnata' is not treated as an English word here and would be unknown to a typical B1 learner, making the name opaque to learners who only know the given parts.

Etymology

Asclepias incarnata gets its name from two parts: Asclepias comes from Asclepius, the Greek healer, and incarnata means 'flesh-coloured' or 'pink', which matches the plant's flowers. That's why the name helps you picture this 'swamp milkweed' with pinkish blooms that attract butterflies.