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Arizona milkweed
Scientific Name: Asclepias angustifolia
Family: Asclepiadaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Arizona Milkweed (Asclepias angustifolia)
Milkweeds from the genus Asclepias, particularly Arizona Milkweed (Asclepias angustifolia) and Desert Milkweed (Asclepias subulata), are vital for Monarch butterflies, as they are the only plants on which female Monarchs lay their eggs and which Monarch caterpillars consume.
Common Names
- Arizona Milkweed
- Narrowleaf Milkweed
- Spider Milkweed
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Asclepias angustifolia
- Synonym: Asclepias angustifolia Schweigg.
- Symbol: ASAN5
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah.
- Frequently found in riparian areas and canyons.
Morphological Characteristics
- Pine-needle Milkweed (Asclepias linaria): Features dark green, pine needle-shaped leaves lining the stems and fragrant flowers in varying shades of pink.
- The flowers are in umbels at the stem tips and are up to 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) across with 5 reflexed petals and a hooded structure.
Ecological Role
- Milkweed is essential for Monarch butterflies as it is the only plant that Monarch Caterpillars can consume.
Quirky Facts
- Milkweed flowers are described as looking "like something from another planet: Sputnik-like."
Further Information
- Detailed information, maps, and data about Asclepias angustifolia, including its distribution and role in Monarch butterfly conservation, are available through various online resources and botanical databases.