It is native to the Eastern, Southern and Midwestern United States similar to the range of the common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca).

The plant gets its name from the flowers that first develop a pink color but then turn darker purple as they mature.

[2] It is listed endangered in Massachusetts and Wisconsin, officially as historical to Rhode Island (though with two recently discovered yet meager populations), as imperiled in Maryland[3] and as a special concern species in Connecticut[4] and Tennessee.

[citation needed] Other insects and pollinators feed off the flower's nectar.

This species is sometimes cultivated in gardens designed to attract butterflies, but is less common than the light purple swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) or the orange butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa).