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pineneedle milkweed

Scientific Name: Asclepias linaria

Family: Asclepiadaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Subshrub, Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Asclepias linaria - Pineneedle Milkweed

Asclepias linaria, commonly known as Pineneedle Milkweed, is a fascinating plant with unique foliage resembling pine needles. It is native to specific regions of North America and plays a crucial role in the ecosystem.

Considerations for Pets

  • The plant is a type of milkweed, and milkweeds are known to contain sap.
  • The leaves are described as needle-shaped.

Common Names

  • Scientific Name: Asclepias linaria
  • Common Names: Pineneedle Milkweed, Pine-Needle Milkweed, Threadleaf Milkweed, Needle-Leaf Milkweed, Pine Needle Butterfly Weed

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Family: Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species
  • Synonyms: The text mentions Asclepias linaria Cav. as a synonym, though "Cav." refers to the botanist who first described it, not a synonym. Yerba de cuervo is also mentioned as an English synonym.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts of Northwestern Mexico and the U.S. states of California and Arizona.
  • Frequently found on rocky slopes in the upper foothills around Tucson, Arizona.
  • Grows well in desert environments and flourishes in full sun.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • A shrub or suffrutescent perennial, growing to 30-150 cm tall.
  • Stems are erect or ascending, branching, and bear numerous raised leaf scars below.
  • The plant is pubescent, at least on some parts.
  • Features dark green, pine needle-shaped leaves that line the stems.
  • Fragrant flowers are varying shades of pink, opening from pink buds to white flowers (up to 1/4" wide) with five "folded" petals.
  • Duration: Perennial
  • Growth Habit: Subshrub, Herb/Forb

Ecological Role

  • Crucial to the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly, as it is the only plant Monarch caterpillars can eat.
  • Monarchs and other milkweed feeders host on the evergreen Pineneedle milkweed in Arizona and have lower than average OE infection rates.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • The plant is a host for Monarch butterfly caterpillars.
  • Also serves as a host for Queen caterpillars.

Further Information

  • Discover Life has a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Asclepias linaria.
  • Wikimedia Commons has images of Asclepias linaria.