Table of Contents for Broad-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias latifolia)
Broad-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias latifolia) is a herbaceous perennial that is native to the southwestern United States. This plant is a host to the Queen (Danaus gilippus) and Monarch (Danaus plexippus) butterflies. Growing from 1 to 3 feet tall, this species has green to yellow flowers that bloom from May to August. It is hardy in zones 5-8.
Taxonomy and Naming of Broad-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias latifolia)
Taxonomy
Broad-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias latifolia) was originally named and described by John Torrey, an American botanist, in 1832 as a variety of Asclepias obtusifolia. Later in 1832, Constantine Samuel Rafinesque, a French botanist, gave the species it current name, which it has kept 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, latifolia, comes from the Latin for “with broad leaves.”
Common Name and Alternative Names
The common name of the plant comes from the wide leaves.
Physical Description of Broad-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias latifolia)
Description
- Plant Type: This plant is a herbaceous perennial.
- Height: 1 to 3 feet
- Stem: The stem is pubescent when young, but becomes more glabrous with age.
- Leaves: The leaves are opposite, short-petiolate, simple, and oval-obovate in shape. The leaves are 1.5 to 6.5 inches long and 1.5 to 5 inches wide (Woodson 1954).
- Flower color: greenish to yellow
- Blooming period: This plant blooms from May to August.
- Fruiting type and period: This plant has follicles that mature in the late summer and fall.
Range of Broad-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias latifolia) in the United States and Canada
This milkweed species is native to the mid-western and southwestern United States and is not considered rare in any part of its range. It is also native to northern Mexico.
Habitat
This species grows in prairies, roadsides, and other right-of-ways.
Hosted Insects
This species is a host for the Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) and the Queen Butterfly (Danaus gilippus).
Other Supported Wildlife
This species is a nectar source to other butterflies, skippers, bees, and wasps during the growing season.
Frequently Asked Questions about Broad-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias latifolia)
Is this plant poisonous?
Like other milkweeds, it has cardiac glycosides (cardenolides) and is considered to be poisonous with ingestion.
Does this plant have any ethnobotanical uses?
The Native American Ethobotanical Database shows that this plant has been used as a respiratory aid.
How is this plant distinguished from other milkweeds?
This milkweed is similar to the white-stem milkweed (Asclepias arenaria), but white-stem milkweed has petiolate leaves and this species does not.
Is this plant invasive?
This plant has not been shown to be invasive.
Gardening with Broad-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias latifolia)
Add Broad-leaf Milkweed to Your Garden
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Hardiness
This species is hardy in zones 5-8. If your garden is within these zones and you have the right growing conditions (soil, moisture and exposure), you may well be able to grow this plant. However, if planted outside of its range, the hosted species may not recognize the plant or be harmed by ingesting a different species with an unfamiliar chemical composition.
Optimal Conditions
This species grows best in places where it can receive full to partial sun and has dry sandy soils.
Planting this Milkweed
The seeds of this species, require a period of cold stratification in order to germinate. Because of this it is best to plant the seeds in the fall or early winter. If you get your seeds commercially, make sure that they have been cold stratified to get the best germination results.
References
- Woodson, Robert E. 1954. The North American Species of Asclepias L. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 41: 1-211.
