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Whole milkweed plant is white. #874873

Asked June 26, 2024, 7:48 PM EDT

What would cause a whole milkweed plant to be all white? The leaves, stem, and flower buds.

Beltrami County Minnesota

Expert Response

Hi Daniel,

I know occasionally plants revert/change to a dark purple or become mottled, or go from variegated back to solid.  I think it's just a weird plant genetic "one off" thing having to do with chromosomes:

 https://digitalmedia.fws.gov/digital/collection/natdiglib/id/18617/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32544284/

Enjoy it for it's rarity,

Sally Granath

St. Louis County MG

An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 28, 2024, 10:12 PM EDT
Thanks so much.   I had a feeling that was what it was,  I just needed someone with experience in this area to confirm it.   Thank you so very much,  I appreciate it!
--Dan 



Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy Tablet


-------- Original message --------
From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Date: 6/28/24 9:12 PM (GMT-06:00)
To: "Daniel J. Bera" <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Whole milkweed plant is white. (#0144791)

The Question Asker Replied June 28, 2024, 11:15 PM EDT

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