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plains milkweed

Scientific Name: Asclepias pumila

Family: Asclepiadaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Plains Milkweed (Asclepias pumila)

Asclepias pumila, commonly known as Plains Milkweed or Low Milkweed, belongs to the Milkweed Family (Asclepiadaceae).

Considerations for Pets

  • Like other milkweeds, Asclepias pumila contains milky sap.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Asclepias pumila (A. Gray) Vail
  • Family: Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)
  • Synonyms: None explicitly stated, but the text references various other Asclepias species.
  • Common Names: Plains Milkweed, Low Milkweed, Dwarf Milkweed

Distribution and Habitat

  • Plains Milkweed is native to Texas and other states.
  • It thrives on dry sites in the plains and lower foothills.
  • It is commonly found in the Red Valley and low limestone areas.
  • Specifically mentioned regions include the Great Plains, the Ozark Mountains, and the Texas Panhandle.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Mature flowering plants are typically about 8-10 inches tall, though some plants can reach up to 12 inches.
  • Stems are ascending to erect, either simple or branched proximally.
  • Plants are puberulent to pubescent (covered in fine, short hairs) and not glaucous (lacking a waxy coating).
  • Leaves are alternate and have petioles. They are narrow and threadlike.
  • Perennial herb from a taproot or slender rhizome 5-3 dm tall
  • Leaves are alternate 1.5-5 cm long, 0.5-1 cm wide
  • Flowers are white, with a central column shorter than the hoods. The horns curve over the central column.

Ecological Role

  • Plains Milkweed serves as a food source for monarch larvae.
  • The flowers provide abundant, high-quality nectar for many pollinators, including bees.

Quirky Facts

  • The text references "Plains Milkweed Jacket" and "Double D Ranchwear Plains Milkweed Jacket", indicating the name's use in fashion or branding.