SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 4047.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "4047" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

desert milkweed

Scientific Name: Asclepias erosa

Family: Asclepiadaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Subshrub, Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Desert Milkweed: A Monarch Butterfly's Delight

Desert milkweed (Asclepias spp.) is a vital plant for monarch butterflies, playing a crucial role in their life cycle. It's an increasingly popular choice for gardeners in arid regions seeking to support these iconic insects.

Considerations for Pets

  • Many plants in the genus Asclepias, commonly known as milkweeds, contain a milky sap.

Considerations for Children

  • Many plants in the genus Asclepias, commonly known as milkweeds, contain a milky sap.

Scientific Name and Common Names

  • Scientific Name: Asclepias subulata
  • Common Names: Desert Milkweed, Rush Milkweed, Ajamete

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Family: Asclepiadaceae (now often included within Apocynaceae)
  • Asclepias erosa is another species commonly referred to as Desert Milkweed.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Asclepias subulata thrives in the lower deserts, including areas around Phoenix, Yuma, and Tucson.
  • Asclepias erosa is native to Southern California, Arizona, and northern Baja California.
  • They are typically found in dry areas, prairies, and open, sandy locations.
  • The plants are native to the Southwestern desert.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Desert Milkweed (Asclepias subulata) is an erect perennial herb.
  • It has slim, gray-green branches coated with a waxy white coating.
  • It can grow to be about 3 feet tall and wide.
  • It features cream-colored flowers that appear in spring, summer, and fall.
  • The flowers grow in clusters or umbels on white wooly stems. The leaves become smooth with age.
  • It loses its leaves, and has succulent, pencil-thick smooth green stems.

Ecological Role

  • Milkweed plants, particularly those from the Asclepias genus, are essential for monarch butterfly larvae, providing their sole food source.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • The plant attracts pollinators and is visited by various insects, including the tarantula hawk wasp.

Further Information

  • Dave's Garden offers a community forum for sharing tips and ideas about gardening.
  • The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum provides plant care information.
  • CalPhotos offers a database of photos of Asclepias erosa and other plants.