It is a widely distributed species of milkweed (Asclepias), known from much of the eastern and central United States from Connecticut to Georgia to Arizona to Montana, as well as southern Canada and northern Mexico.

[3] Asclepias viridiflora is an erect to ascending herb up to 50 cm tall, with distinctive greenish-white flowers.

The pods lack the warts and tubercules common on other species of Asclepias.

[4][5][6] It grows in moist to dry shaded roadsides, fields, and prairies.

[13] The Brulé Lakota give pulverized roots to children with diarrhea, and an infusion of the whole plant is taken by mothers to increase their milk.