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Greene's milkweed

Scientific Name: Asclepias californica ssp. greenei

Family: Asclepiadaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Asclepias californica

Asclepias californica, also known as California Milkweed or Greene's Milkweed, is a fascinating plant with a significant role in supporting monarch butterflies and other wildlife.

Considerations for Pets

  • The plant is named for its milky sap, which is a latex.

Considerations for Children

  • Mention is made of opening the seed pods to feel the silky soft down inside, though no warnings are present.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Asclepias californica Greene
  • Subspecies: Asclepias californica Greene subsp. greenei Woodson
  • Common Names: California Milkweed, Greene's Milkweed, Round-hood Milkweed
  • Family: Apocynaceae (Dogbane) / Asclepiadaceae
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Synonyms:
    • Asclepias uncialis Greene (wheel milkweed)
    • Asclepias californica E. Greene ssp. greenei Woodson (not an active name)
    • Asclepias uncialis Greene var. uncialis
  • Related Taxa:
    • Asclepias L. (1753), the milkweeds
    • Podostigma Elliott (probable)
    • Schizonotus A.Gray
    • Solanoa Greene

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to California and northern regions (presumably of North America).

Ecological Role

  • Important food source for monarch caterpillars.
  • Plays a role in supporting parasitism of farmscapes.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Herbaceous perennial.
  • Rhizomatous.
  • Several-many stemmed at the base.

Quirky Facts

  • Young milkweed shoots, leaves, and pods are theoretically edible after boiling.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Attracts a diversity of wildlife.
  • The milkweed leaf beetle loves swamp milkweed, but also likes the common milkweed.
  • Milkweed bugs have been studied for their uptake of ouabain and digitoxin.

Further Information

  • Center for Plant Conservation
  • USDA
  • CalPhotos
  • Islandora Repository at UCSU Colorado State University