RANGE EXTENSION SOUTHWARD IN COMMON MILKWEED, ASCLEPIAS-SYRIACA L

Common milkweed is rapidly expanding its range southward. It occurs ab undantly in the southern Piedmont of North Carolina and has recently b een collected from Cherokee County in the northern Piedmont of South C arolina. Asclepias syriaca has also been collected from four counties in the Piedmont, Ridge and Valley, and Cumberland Plateau regions of n orthern Georgia. Reasons for the rapid spread of this native plant are unclear, but it does possess strong colonizing potential due to its n umerous comose seeds, gemmiferous roots, and limited self-compatibilit y. It is possible that wind dispersal of seeds is enhanced by drafting off of large, high-speed trucks along interstate highways.