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Asclepias albicans

Asclepias albicans S. Watson

Whitestem Milkweed, White-stemmed Milkweed

Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: ASAL

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Tall, leafless, waxy-white stems with woolly umbels of whitish, star-like flowers on branches near top; sap milky.

The genus was named in honor of Asclepiades, a physician in ancient Greece, undoubtedly because some species have long been used to treat a variety of ailments. The similar Rush Milkweed (A. subulata) is found in the same region in desert washes and on sandy flats; it is distinguished by its narrow, erect hoods, which are about as long as its petals.

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Subshrub
Fruit Type: Follicle

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA
Native Distribution: Southeastern California and southwestern Arizona south to northwestern Mexico.
Native Habitat: Dry rocky places in deserts.

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.

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2017-05-08
Research By: TWC Staff

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