Table of Contents for Arizona Milkweed (Asclepias angustifolia)
Arizona Milkweed (Asclepias angustifolia) is a herbaceous perennial that is native to the state of Arizona. This milkweed is a host plant to the Monarch Butterfly and a nectar plant to others. It can grow up to 3 feet tall and has linear shaped leaves. The white with pink or purple tinged flowers bloom from June to July. It is grows between 3,500 ft and 7,000 ft of elevation and is hardy in zones 6-10.
Taxonomy and Naming of Arizona Milkweed (Asclepias angustifolia)
Taxonomy
Arizona Milkweed (Asclepias angustifolia) was named and described by August Friedrich Schweigger, a German naturalist, in 1812. The description was based on a plant then growing at the Konigsberg Botanical Garden in Germany (Stevens 2005). It has kept the same name since. This plant is a member of the Dogbane Family (Apocynaceae).
Meaning of the Scientific and Common Names
Scientific Name
The genus name, Asclepias, is named for the Greek god of healing, Asklepios (Flora of Wisconsin). The species name, angustifolia, means narrow in Latin and refers to the linear leaves.
Common Name and Alternative Names
The common name for this plant is in reference to the location of the plant. Other alternative names such as narrow-leaved milkweed and slender milkweed refer to the leaf shape. One alternative, Talayote, is a Spanish name for the species.
Physical Description of Arizona Milkweed (Asclepias angustifolia)
Description
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial to somewhat suffrutescent (Woodson 1954)
- Height: up to 3 feet
- Leaves: Leaves are opposite, simple, entire, linear to lanceolate leaves and are 1.5 to 5 inches in length and 0.1 to 0.5 inches in width. The leaves are nearly sessile to the stem and are often paired.
- Flower color: white with a tinge of pink or purple
- Blooming period: June to July, but can flower throughout the year (Woodson 1954)
- Fruit type and period: follicle/pod that matures in the late summer to fall
Range Map of Arizona Milkweed (Asclepias angustifolia) in the United States and Canada
This species is native to Arizona and south into Mexico. This species is endemic to the state of Arizona in the United States.
Habitat
This species grows in dry woodlands, floodplains (creek bottoms and canyons), prairies, meadows, and roadsides with sandy or gravelly soil. It is often found between 3,500 and 7,000 feet of elevation.
Hosted Insects
This milkweed, like a lot of milkweeds, is a host to the Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus). It is also a host to the Queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus).
Other Supported Wildlife
This milkweed, like a lot of other milkweeds, is a nectar source to other species, especially carpenter bees (Wikipedia).
Frequently Asked Questions about Arizona Milkweed (Asclepias angustifolia)
What other milkweeds are similar to this one?
This plant looks similar to Texas milkweed (Asclepias texana). However, Arizona milkweed is endemic to Arizona and has linear to narrowly-lanceolate leaves and Texas milkweed has oval to oblong leaves that are shorter at about 3 inches long (Sundell 1990). Horsetail milkweed (Asclepias subverticillata) and whorled milkweed (Asclepias verticillata) are also similar, but they both have whorled leaves, rather than opposite leaves (Southeastern Arizona Wildflowers and Plants).
Is this plant poisonous to pets?
This plant, being a milkweed, contains cardiac cardenolides, which are poisonous when ingested. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA, link to page) lists milkweeds are being poisonous. The monarch butterfly uses these compounds to make itself unpalatable to predators.
Gardening with Arizona Milkweed (Asclepias angustifolia)
Add to Arizona Milkweed Your Garden
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Hardiness
This species is hardy in zones 7 to 10. If your garden is located within these zones is likely you can grow this plant if you have the right growing conditions such as moisture and soil. The hosted species, the monarch butterfly, is wide ranging and likely in your area.
Cultivars
- ‘Sonoita’ : a cultivar with Amsonia-like foliage (Plant Delights Nursery).
Optimal Conditions
This milkweed prefers places with partial shade, such as under a tree, but can grow in full sun. It can handle temperatures into the teens and needs a moderate amount of water. Rock gardens are suitable for this plant.
References
- Stevens, W.D. 2005. New and Interesting Milkweeds (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae). Novon 15: 602-619.
- Sundell, Eric. 1990. Notes on Arizona Asclepias (Asclepiadaceae) with a new combination. Phytologia 69:265-270.
- Woodson, Robert E. 1954. The North American Species of Asclepias L. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 41: 1-211.
