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Asclepias glaucescens

Asclepias glaucescens Kunth

Nodding Milkweed, Bluestem Milkweed

Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)

Synonym(s): Asclepias elata

USDA Symbol: ASGL5

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

The nodding, or bluestem, milkweed is 8 inches to 4 feet tall with a stout, hairless stem and perennial, fleshy rootstock. The leaves are broadly oval to lanceolate, opposite and sessile, 2 to 6.4 inches long and 0.4 to 2.4 inches wide. Flower clusters occur on stalks that are 0.8 to 8 inches long. Individual flowers (usually 8 to 25) are on flower stalks that are 0.6 to 1.3 inches tall and are pale green or glaucous. Petals are greenish or yellowish with a purple tinge and are flexed away from the center. The species name glaucescens comes from the word glaucous which means bluish gray. (Bibref 824) (Webref 24)

Asclepias glaucescens is similar to A. amplexicaulis. Asclepias glaucescens has a gynostegium that is sessile or essentially so and has a distribution restricted to far west Texas. The gynostegium of Asclepias glaucescens is stipulate (stalked) and the distribution is limited to the eastern part of Texas. (Webref 24)