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Mexican whorled milkweed

Scientific Name: Asclepias fascicularis

Family: Asclepiadaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Mexican Whorled Milkweed

Discover the fascinating world of the Mexican Whorled Milkweed, a vital plant for pollinators and a beautiful addition to gardens in the Western United States.

Considerations for Pets

  • A book titled \"The Mexican Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias Mexicana) as a Poisonous Plant\" suggests potential toxicity, though details are not provided in this text.

Scientific Name and Common Names

  • Scientific Name: Asclepias fascicularis
  • Common Names:
    • Mexican Whorled Milkweed
    • Narrowleaf Milkweed

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Family: Asclepiadaceae (mentioned as a dicot family) / Apocynaceae
  • Synonyms: The text references Asclepias Mexicana (though this appears in the context of a book title and might not be a true synonym).

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to the Western regions of the US and Mexico.
  • Widespread throughout much of the western U.S.
  • Found in the Columbia River Gorge of Oregon and Washington.

Ecological Role

  • Bees are attracted to its flowers.
  • A vital food source for Monarch caterpillars.
  • Can become a troublesome weed when it invades pastures, hay fields, and orchards.
  • Used to restore Monarch habitats.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • A 1-2 1/2 ft. perennial with several erect stems.
  • Narrow, whorled leaves.
  • Greenish white flowers, sometimes tinged purple.
  • Develops many seed pods.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Bees love the flowers.
  • Host plant for Monarch caterpillars.
  • Two cercosporoid species have been described from this plant.

Further Information

  • Dave\'s Garden is mentioned as a community that shares tips and ideas for gardens.
  • CalPhotos: A website with photos of the plant.
  • Discover Life: A page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Asclepias fascicularis.