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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 texana (Texas milkweed)
Marcus, Joseph A.

Asclepias texana

Asclepias texana A. Heller

Texas Milkweed, White Milkweed

Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: ASTE

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

"Stems erect, to ca. 50 cm tall, with inconspicuous pubescence in lines; leaf blades lanceolate to broadly ovate, 20-70 cm long, to 35 mm wide; inflorescences solitary at the uppermost nodes; flowers showy; corolla lobes white, ca. 3 mm long; gynostegium white; hoods with horns; follicles erect, 9-12 cm long; seeds ca. 8 mm long, with a white coma to ca. 20 mm long." (Bibref 281)

 

From the Image Gallery

36 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Margin: Entire
Inflorescence: Umbel
Fruit Type: Follicle
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Habitat: Woodlands' edge, Opening, Ditches, Ravines, Depressions, Stream, river banks

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Sandy, Sandy Loam, Gravelly

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Blooms ornamental
Use Wildlife: Nectar-butterflies
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

Propagation Material: Seeds

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: FACU FACU
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:

Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Williamson County Chapter - Georgetown, TX

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0916 Collected Aug 20, 1994 in Bexar County by Mike Fox

1 specimen(s) available in the Digital Herbarium

Bibliography

Bibref 765 - McMillen's Texas Gardening: Wildflowers (1998) Howard, D.
Bibref 281 - Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2017-08-08
Research By: TWC Staff, NH

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