Cliffe, Harry
Asclepias speciosa Torr.
Showy milkweed
Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)
A stout, sparingly branched,
pubescent perennial, 1 1/2-3 ft. tall, with large,
oval, blue-green leaves and showy, spherical clusters of rose-colored flowers. Flowers occur at the top of the
stem and on stalks from leaf axils. A grayish, velvety plant with erect leafy stems and with umbels of star-like pinkish flowers in upper axils and at top.
Sap milky.
Image Gallery:
15 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Herb Root Type: Tap Leaf Complexity: Simple Leaf Shape: Ovate Leaf Venation: Pinnate Leaf: Green
Flower: Sepals 5
Fruit: Black 5 in.
Size Class: 3-6 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Pink , Green , Purple
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , CO , ID , IL , IA , KS , MI , MN , MT , NE , NV , NM , ND , OK , OR , SD , TX , UT , WA , WI , WY
Canada: AB ,
SK Native Distribution: S. Man. & w. MN to B.C., s. to TX & CA
Native Habitat: Savannah, Prairie, Meadow, Field
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Various soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Hummingbirds.
Warning: This is one of the least toxic of the milkweeds. There are even recipes for preparing this species as a vegetable, but the plants should be positively identified as some of the milkweeds are highly poisonous, and eating them can result in death.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Attracts: Hummingbirds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Monarch
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Asclepias speciosa is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Last Update: 2009-02-19
