Question: Dear Botanist, I found this plant growing in a high-voltage right-of-way in Burlington MA. The surrounding plants are typical of …
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Question
Dear Botanist, I found this plant growing in a high-voltage right-of-way in Burlington MA. The surrounding plants are typical of full-sun, poor soil, and fairly dry. The developing (long and thin) seed pods remind me of Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), and the plant oozed a white latex when broken. Could you please identify? The pictures were taken on Aug 22, 2026.
Answer
Dear stephan, good morning. The plant you have photographed is Apocynum androsaemifolium (spreading dogbane). It is a native member of the dogbane family and can be quite common in open, dry soils. Best wishes.
