No, the plant you are talking about is just plain pokeweed. We have lots of them around here, too. They have pretty dark purple berries in the fall and a huge taproot. They are not, however, a host plant for Monarch butterflies.

Poke milkweed is a totally different plant, Asclepias exaltata.

I'm not sure which milkweed species are native to your region, but Miss Sherry can probably answer that for you.
Liz

Here is a link that might be useful: Pokeweed

Actually, you'd think I'd know Dee's milkweeds, but the limited milkweed we have here is probably different from what Dee has in central Alabama, Liz. The milkweeds that grow in central and north Mississippi are very different from what we have here.

But you're certainly right, plain pokeweed is not a milkweed.

Sherry

Well, Monarch Watch to the rescue. Hope this isn't TMI, dragonflydee.
Liz

Here is a link that might be useful: Milkweeds by state

Great link, Liz! Now I know how many more types of milkweed I could be growing! LOL. I think I'll focus on what I've got for now.

Martha