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Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Asclepias arenaria (Sand milkweed)
Loveless, Brenda K.

Asclepias arenaria

Asclepias arenaria Torr.

Sand Milkweed, Western Sand Milkweed

Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: ASAR

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

"Erect, herbaceous perennial 2-4 feet tall with a stout rootstock; leaves and stems densely woolly; blades broadly ovate, blunt at apex,; flowers clustered in axils of leaves, pale green; fruit erect on deflexed short stalks; infrequent in sandy soil." (Bibref 315) Leaf blades about 5-10 cm long and 3-8 cm wide. (Bibref 281)

As its common name suggests, Asclepias arenaria is found in sandy soil, but is uncommon.

 

From the Image Gallery

6 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Follicle

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Green
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: CO , KS , NE , NM , OK , SD , TX , WY
Native Distribution: Panhandle of Texas; eastern New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming; western Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska; southern South Dakota.
Native Habitat: Sandy soils, spreading to roadsides.

Benefit

Nectar Source: yes

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees
Special Value to Bumble Bees
Special Value to Honey Bees
Supports Conservation Biological Control

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Bibliography

Bibref 293 - Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas (1979) Correll, D. S. & M. C. Johnston
Bibref 281 - Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
Bibref 315 - Wildflowers of the Davis Mountains and the Marathon Basin, Texas (1977) Warnock, B. H.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Additional resources

USDA: Find Asclepias arenaria in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Asclepias arenaria in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Asclepias arenaria

Metadata

Record Modified: 2018-01-08
Research By: TWC Staff, NH

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