Each stem has soft, fleshy green flanges running longitudinally down its length. When winter weather brings ice, the stems exude water that freezes into fascinating shapes, hence its common name frostweed. Background plant in a wildflower garden. Also useful as a mass planting along a forest edge. This plant is best used in informal settings and does well if allowed to naturalize.

Fragrant. Noted for its 3-parted glossy leaves. Can be used as as a specimen plant, screen, or possibly a hedge.

This tree has male and female plants. Females have red berry-like cones. This species is extremely rare.  Be sure to obtain this plant from properly licensed nurseries. Use as a specimen plant either as a small tree or large shrub.

Don't confuse this native with the non-native tropical or scarlet milkweed (Asclepias curassavica), that is often sold in big box stores, which has red and yellow flowers. Wet wildflower garden.

Wildflower garden.

The range of this species is primarily the coastal plain from Texas to North Carolina. A second subspecies (subsp. greenmanii) occurs in the Florida Panhandle where it is endemic and state Endangered Bog gardens, rain gardens, restoration areas.

This species and other members of the Lauraceae are being attacked by a serious, fatal disease. Do not plant this plant unless you are absolutely sure that it is not infected! This and other bays are being attacked by a fatal disease (laurel wilt disease). Avoid spreading this plant, it is best not to plant this or other bays.

May be annual or perennial depending on weather. Moist wildflower gardens