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(Asclepias erosa)
Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa)
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Jean Pawek
CC BY 3.0
Image By:
Jean Pawek
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Copyright:
CC BY 3.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Jean Pawek | License Type: CC BY 3.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ | Attribution: 2017 Jean Pawek | Publisher: Calphotos |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Asclepias erosa, commonly known as Desert Milkweed, is a deciduous perennial subshrub or herb native to arid regions, including desert washes, grasslands, and scrub areas in the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico. This plant typically grows to a height of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters) and a width of 0.1-0.3 feet (0.03-0.09 meters). It has a distinctive upright form with thick, fleshy, pale green stems and narrow leaves. The Desert Milkweed blooms from late spring through summer and occasionally into fall, producing clusters of cream and yellow flowers that are attractive to a variety of pollinators, especially monarch butterflies.
Desert Milkweed is valued for its drought tolerance and its role as a critical host plant for monarch butterfly larvae. It is used in xeriscaping, naturalized plantings, and wildlife gardens. In cultivation, it thrives in full sun and requires minimal water once established, making it an excellent choice for water-wise gardens. It prefers well-drained soils and can tolerate nutrient-poor conditions. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to aphids and milkweed bugs. Gardeners should be aware that all parts of the plant contain toxic compounds that can be harmful if ingested.CC BY-SA 4.0
Desert Milkweed is valued for its drought tolerance and its role as a critical host plant for monarch butterfly larvae. It is used in xeriscaping, naturalized plantings, and wildlife gardens. In cultivation, it thrives in full sun and requires minimal water once established, making it an excellent choice for water-wise gardens. It prefers well-drained soils and can tolerate nutrient-poor conditions. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to aphids and milkweed bugs. Gardeners should be aware that all parts of the plant contain toxic compounds that can be harmful if ingested.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Subshrub, Herb
- Height: 1-1.5 feet
- Width: 1.5-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Cream, Yellow
- Flowering Season: Fall, Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Low, Medium
- Drainage: Slow
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Fragrant, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Arid regions, including desert washes, grasslands, and scrub areas
Other Names
Common Names:
Scientific Names: , Asclepias erosa, Asclepias rothrockii, Asclepias demissa, Asclepias leucophylla, Asclepias leucophylla var. obtusa, Asclepias obtusata, Asclepias erosa var. obtusa,
GBIF Accepted Name: Asclepias erosa Torr.