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Cressler, Alan

Asclepias labriformis

Asclepias labriformis M.E. Jones

Utah Milkweed

Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: ASLA

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

"Erect and upright perennial to 50 cm, with smooth stems as it gets older. Leaves: The leathery leaves are opposite to almost opposite with the blades less than 6 inches long and never more than three-quarters of an inch wide, with a patch of hair at the base of the midrib. Flowers: The umbels have a gently rounded flat top and bear a few to many yellowish flowers. The faintly scented flowers are creamy yellow to yellowish-green and are each less than a half-inch across. Fruits: The smooth pods are pendulous and 1-3 inches long." (Webref 23)

"Cronquist, et al. (1984) noted that it is considered one of the most poisonous of all western range plants and is endemic to Utah." (Webref 23)

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Follicle
Size Notes: Up to about 20 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow , Green
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: Creamy yellow to yellowish green.

Distribution

USA: UT
Native Distribution: Endemic to Utah.
Native Habitat: "Found in dry sandy soils along washes where there is moist subsoil, from 3,500- 7,000 ft (1067-2143 m)" (Webref 23)

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Sources for seed of Utah native Asclepias labriformis
January 08, 2006
Hi there, I am looking for seeds of the plant "Asclepias labriformis" which is native to Utah. Can you help me to find seeds from this plant?
view the full question and answer

Bibliography

Bibref 641 - Intermountain Flora: Vascular Plants of the Intermountain West, U.S.A. (1984) Cronquist, A.

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Web Reference

Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-10-04
Research By: DEW, NH

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