Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Gentianales
Genus:
Species:
speciosa
ID:
552440

Status:
valid

Authors:
Torr.

Source:
cmp

Year:
1827

Citation Micro:
Ann. Lyceum Nat. Hist. New York 2: 218 (1827)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000551772

Common Names

  • Showy Milkweed
  • Asclepias Speciosa
  • Butterfly Weed

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Synonyms

  • Asclepias douglasii Hook. [unknown]
  • Asclepias giffordii Eastw. [unknown]
  • Asclepias longicornis Kellogg [unknown]

Description

Asclepias speciosa (also called showy milkweed, among many other common names) is a perennial herbaceous plant native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It grows in open, dry areas, such as grasslands and rocky slopes.

Uses & Benefits

Asclepias speciosa has been used to make rope and paper. It is also used as an ornamental plant in gardens.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Asclepias speciosa has large, white flowers with five petals and a hooded center. The seed pods are round and have a pointed tip. The seedlings have a single pair of oval-shaped leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Asclepias speciosa can be propagated by seed or division. Seeds should be sown in the spring and kept moist until germination. Division should be done in the spring or fall. Plants should be spaced 1-2 feet apart.

Where to Find Asclepias speciosa

Asclepias speciosa is native to the western United States, and can be found in dry, sandy soils in areas such as California, Oregon, and Washington.

Asclepias speciosa FAQ

What is the scientific name of Asclepias speciosa?

Asclepias speciosa

What is the common name of Asclepias speciosa?

Showy Milkweed

Where is Asclepias speciosa native to?

North America

Species in the Asclepias genus

Asclepias elegantula, Asclepias adscendens, Asclepias aequicornu, Asclepias albens, Asclepias albicans, Asclepias amabilis, Asclepias ameliae, Asclepias amplexicaulis, Asclepias angustifolia, Asclepias apocynifolia, Asclepias arenaria, Asclepias asperula, Asclepias atroviolacea, Asclepias aurea, Asclepias auriculata, Asclepias barjoniifolia, Asclepias bartlettiana, Asclepias baumii, Asclepias bicuspis, Asclepias bifida, Asclepias boliviensis, Asclepias brachystephana, Asclepias bracteolata, Asclepias brevicuspis, Asclepias brevipes, Asclepias bridgesii, Asclepias buchwaldii, Asclepias californica, Asclepias candida, Asclepias cinerea, Asclepias circinalis, Asclepias compressidens, Asclepias concinna, Asclepias connivens, Asclepias constricta, Asclepias conzattii, Asclepias cooperi, Asclepias cordifolia, Asclepias coulteri, Asclepias crassinervis, Asclepias crispa, Asclepias crocea, Asclepias cryptoceras, Asclepias cucullata, Asclepias cultriformis, Asclepias curassavica, Asclepias curtissii, Asclepias cutleri, Asclepias densiflora, Asclepias dependens,

Species in the Apocynaceae family

Acokanthera laevigata, Acokanthera oblongifolia, Acokanthera oppositifolia, Acokanthera rotundata, Acokanthera schimperi, Adenium boehmianum, Adenium multiflorum, Adenium obesum, Adenium oleifolium, Adenium swazicum, Adenium dhofarense, Aganosma breviloba, Aganosma cymosa, Aganosma gracilis, Aganosma lacei, Aganosma petelotii, Aganosma schlechteriana, Aganosma siamensis, Aganosma wallichii, Aganosma heynei, Alafia alba, Alafia barteri, Alafia benthamii, Alafia berrieri, Alafia calophylla, Alafia caudata, Alafia erythrophthalma, Alafia falcata, Alafia fuscata, Alafia insularis, Alafia intermedia, Alafia landolphioides, Alafia lucida, Alafia microstylis, Alafia multiflora, Alafia nigrescens, Alafia orientalis, Alafia parciflora, Alafia pauciflora, Alafia perrieri, Alafia schumannii, Alafia thouarsii, Alafia vallium, Alafia verschuereni, Alafia whytei, Alafia zambesiaca, Allamanda calcicola, Allamanda angustifolia, Allamanda blanchetii, Allamanda cathartica,

References

The Plant List v1.1 record kew-2655191: Based on the initial data import
John Torrey (1796-1873): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Torr.' in the authors string.