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Plant Database

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 fascicularis (Mexican whorled milkweed)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Asclepias fascicularis

Asclepias fascicularis Decne.

Mexican Whorled Milkweed, Narrowleaf Milkweed

Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)

Synonym(s): Asclepias mexicana

USDA Symbol: ASFA

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A 1-3 ft. perennial with several erect stems and narrow, whorled leaves. Several 4-5 in. wide flower clusters occur from the upper leaf axils. Individual flowers are greenish-white, often tinged with purple. The subsequent milkweed pod is smooth and slender.

 

From the Image Gallery

1 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Lanceolate , Linear
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Leaf Margin: Entire
Leaf Apex: Acute
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Follicle
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Leaf: Narrow to lanceolate, up to 6 in (15 cm) in length and 3/4 in (2 cm) in width.
Flower: Color is pale pink, purple, white, to greenish. Umbels stand erect. Horns protrude through the hoods. After blooming the corolla extends down under the hoods. Corolla color is white to pinkish in contrast to the hoods and horns being white. Several umbels are born on each stem. 20+/- flowers per umbel. Flowers are 3/16 in (4-5 mm). Pedicels are 3/16 - 7/16 in (6-10 mm).
Fruit: Pods narrow, thin, smooth, and long. Form in July and can be picked late July. Length is (6-9 cm). Seed Color is Light Brown, 1/8 - 1/3 in (3-8 mm) long.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Green , Purple
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: CA , ID , NV , OR , UT , WA
Native Distribution: N.e. WA & ID, s. to Baja CA & n. AZ
Native Habitat: Dry climates, plains, hill, valleys, roadsides, and disturbed grounds. Occurs in a variety of dry to moist places below 7000 ft.; uncommon in the desert.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Drought Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Dry to moist soils. Grows well in clay soils and on moderate slopes.
Conditions Comments: Not shade tolerant, needs full sun. Easy to grow and quite drought tolerant.

Benefit

Warning: All plants in the genus Asclepias are probably somewhat toxic, some fatally so, to both humans and animals. The sap of some causes skin irritation in humans. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person’s age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable because of their curiosity and small size. Toxicity can vary in a plant according to season, the plant’s different parts, and its stage of growth; and plants can absorb toxic substances, such as herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants from the water, air, and soil.
Conspicuous Flowers: 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.

Propagation

Description: Sow seed.
Seed Treatment: No treatment.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: FAC FAC
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-09-18
Research By: TWC Staff

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