Narrowleaf Milkweed

General Info:

• Scientific name: Asclepias fascicularis

• Common names: Narrowleaf milkweed, Mexican whorled milkweed

• Type: Perennial herb

• Height: 3-4 feet

• Habitat: Dry to open woodlands, prairies, roadsides

Key Features:

• Flowers: Clusters of fragrant, lavender-pink flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer. They mature to a deeper purple color over time.

• Leaves: Narrow and pointed, often arranged in whorls of 3-5 around the stem.

• Pods: Smooth, spindle-shaped pods that burst open in fall to release fluffy seeds.

• Ecological significance: Vital host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars and attracts many other pollinators like bees and hummingbirds.

Interesting facts:

• The milky sap of the plant can be irritating to the skin, so wear gloves when handling it.

• Despite its toxicity to humans, the monarch butterfly caterpillars have developed a special adaptation to feed on milkweed and even store the toxins in their bodies as a defense mechanism against predators.

• Narrowleaf milkweed is relatively easy to grow in a variety of soil conditions, making it a great choice for butterfly gardens and wildflower meadows.

Western States:
California
Oregon
Washington
Idaho
Montana
Wyoming
Colorado
Utah
Nevada
Arizona
New Mexico
Texas (western portion)

Other States:
Kansas (extreme western portion)
Oklahoma (panhandle)
South Dakota (Black Hills)
North Dakota (western portion)