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Pinkish-white flowers of woollypod milkweed (Asclepias eriocarpa).Anthony Valois, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Plant of Woollypod Milkweed (Asclepias eriocarpa) in a fieldPacific Southwest Region USFWS from Sacramento, US, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

(Asclepias eriocarpa)
Woollypod Milkweed

Host Plant: Monarch, soldier, and queen butterflies

Nectar Plant: many other butterflies and bees

Flower Color: green, white, pink

Growth Habit: herbaceous perennial to grows to 3 feet tall

Range in North America: State of California

Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Hardiness: Zones 5-9

Soil Requirements: sandy, rocky soil in open areas

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Woollypod Milkweed (Asclepias eriocarpa)

Pinkish flowers of Woollypod Milkweed (Asclepias eriocarpa).
Anthony Valois, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Alternative Names

Indian Milkweed and Kotolo

Description of Woollypod Milkweed (Asclepias eriocarpa)

Woollypod Milkweed (Asclepias eriocarpa), a member of the Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family), is a herbaceous perennial that grows to 3 feet tall and has white to pink flowers that bloom in the spring, summer, and fall.  The leaves are opposite to whorled, simple, entire margined, lanceolate to oval in shape, and are 4 to 8 inches in length and 1 to 3 inches in width.  More about this species can be found on this blog post.

Hosted Species

Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)

Monarch butterfly on goldenrod.
Monarch Butterfly on Goldenrod – ALAN SCHMIERER from southeast AZ, USA, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Soldier Butterfly (Danaus eresimus)

Queen butterfly on vegetation.
Soldier Butterfly on a leaf – Korall, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Queen butterfly on branch.
Queen Butterfly on a branch – Insects Unlocked, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nectar Species

It is a nectar species for other butterflies, bees and ants.

Range of Woollypod Milkweed (Asclepias eriocarpa)

Range map of Woollypod Milkweed (Asclepias eriocarpa) in the United States and Canada.

Habitat

Woollypod milkweed is often found in dry rocky areas and open areas such roadsides, and streambanks.  It is native to the state of California.

Interesting Facts

This plant was used by Native Americans for fiber and medicine.

Woollypod Milkweed (Asclepias eriocarpa) Links

Webpages

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Calscape

Bring Back the Monarchs

Videos

Carlos Ruiz

Native Location

California

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9

Hosted Species

Danaus eresimus (Soldier), Danaus gilippus (Queen), Danaus plexippus (Monarch)

Exposure Requirements

Full Sun, Part Shade/Part Sun

Plant Habit

Herbaceous

Soil Requirements

Dry, Medium

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