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Welsh's milkweed
Scientific Name: Asclepias welshii
Family: Asclepiadaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Welsh's Milkweed (Asclepias welshii)
Welsh's milkweed is a rare and fascinating plant found in a limited geographical area.
Considerations for Pets
- As a milkweed, this plant contains sap.
Common and Scientific Names
- Scientific Name: Asclepias welshii N.H. Holmgren & P.K. Holmgren
- Common Name: Welsh's Milkweed
- Alternative Spelling: Welsch's Milkweed
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Family: Apocynaceae (formerly Asclepiadaceae)
- Rank: Species
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to southern Utah and northern Arizona.
- Specifically found on active dunes derived from Navajo sandstone.
- Occurs in Kane County, Utah, and in Coconino, Navajo, and Apache Counties in Arizona.
- Often found in the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Utah.
- Grows in swales alongside species like *C. albissima*.
Ecological Role
- Listed as a threatened species under the ESA (Endangered Species Act).
- Its habitat is threatened by off-road vehicle use.
- Its habitat is largely unutilized by grazers.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- A perennial herb, specifically a forb/herb (a non-woody plant that is not a grass).
- Reaches a height of approximately three feet.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Milkweeds such as *Asclepias speciosa* are known to be food sources and habitats for Monarch butterflies and are often the subject of conservation efforts.
Resources and Further Information
- View Welsh's milkweed observations on iNaturalist.
- View Welsh's milkweed plant information at Wildflower.org.
- BISON Web Link: http://bison.usgs.ornl.gov/api/scientificName/Asclepias%20welshii
- ITIS Web Link.
- Encyclopedia of Life.
- Dave's Garden.