(Asclepias stenophylla)
Slim-leaf Milkweed

Slim-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias stenophylla)

Flowers of Slim-leaf Milkweed — Samuel A. Schmid, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Alternative Names

Narrow-leaf Milkweed, Narrow-leaved Green Milkweed

Description of Slim-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias stenophylla)

Slim-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias stenophylla), a member of the Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family), is a herbaceous perennial that grows from 0.5′ to 3′ tall and blooms in the summer (June to August).  The fruits, which are follicles, mature in the late summer to fall.  More information on this species can be found on this blog post.

Hosted Species

Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)

Monarch Butterfly on Orange Flower — ALAN SCHMIERER from southeast AZ, USA, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Queen Butterfly (Danaus gilippus)

Queen Butterfly on Branch — Korall, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nectar Species

Many other butterflies and insects use this species as a nectar source.

Habitat

This milkweed grows in dry, gravel prairies, and sandy areas.

Range of Slim-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias stenophylla) in the United States and Canada

Interesting Facts

The genus name, Asclepias, is the Greek name for the God of Medicine.  The species name, stenophylla, comes from the Greek word, stenos, meaning narrow and leaf (phyllos).  It refers to the narrow leaves of the plant.