No images found for this plant ID: 4279.
Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "4279" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.
longhood milkweed
Scientific Name: Asclepias macrotis
Family: Asclepiadaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Subshrub
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Longhood Milkweed (Asclepias macrotis)
Considerations for Pets
- This plant is a milkweed, and milkweeds generally contain a milky sap.
Common Names and Taxonomy
- Scientific Name: Asclepias macrotis Torr.
- Common Names: Longhood Milkweed, Long-hood Milkweed, Longhorn Milkweed
- Family: Apocynaceae (formerly Asclepiadaceae)
- Rank: Species
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to areas including Colorado, Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico.
- Found in desert grasslands, dry hills, mesas, and limestone ridges.
- Often located near the Mexican border.
Morphology and Growth Habits
- A perennial subshrub.
- Low-growing milkweed with dense clusters of wiry stems.
- Narrow, grasslike leaves.
- Flowers have very long, pointed hoods.
Ecological Role
- The Monarch larva feed exclusively on milkweed (Asclepias spp.), making Asclepias macrotis an important food source.
- Milkweed populations are declining due to urban and suburban development.
Quirky Facts
- Observed growing alongside Rockmat (Petrophytum cespitosum) in desert grasslands.
Further Information
- Discover Life: Provides information about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Asclepias macrotis.
- Dave's Garden: A community sharing tips and ideas for gardens, seeds, and plants.
- USDA PLANTS Database: Provides information on the distribution of milkweed species.