Antelope Horns

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Antelope Horns (Asclepias asperula)

Description:

Antelope Horns, also known as Spider Milkweed, is a perennial native plant belonging to the milkweed family (Apocynaceae). It is commonly found in prairies, open fields, and rocky soils across the central and southwestern United States. The plant gets its name from its unique seed pods, which curve into shapes resembling antelope horns.

Antelope Horns typically grow between 1 to 2 feet tall and feature sprawling stems covered in narrow, greenish-gray leaves. Its flowers, blooming from late spring to early summer, are a cluster of intricate, greenish-white petals tinged with purple. These blooms produce nectar that attracts various pollinators, especially butterflies, including the iconic monarch butterfly.

Interesting Facts:

  1. Host Plant for Monarch Butterflies: Antelope Horns is a crucial host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars. Monarchs lay their eggs on the plant, and the caterpillars feed on its leaves, which contain toxins that make them unpalatable to predators.

  2. Milkweed Defense Mechanism: The plant produces a milky sap containing cardenolides, a group of toxic compounds that deter herbivores from grazing on it. This defense mechanism also protects the monarch caterpillars feeding on its leaves.

  3. Unique Pollination System: The flowers have a specialized pollination mechanism involving pollinia, tiny sacs of pollen. These stick to the legs of insects like bees and butterflies as they forage, ensuring efficient pollination.

  4. Drought Tolerance: Native to arid and semi-arid regions, Antelope Horns is highly drought-tolerant and thrives in well-drained soils with minimal water, making it a valuable addition to xeriscapes and pollinator gardens.

  5. Cultural Uses: Indigenous peoples historically used milkweed species, including Antelope Horns, for various purposes, such as crafting cords and nets from its fibrous stems and using its latex sap in medicinal applications.

  6. Wildlife Benefits: In addition to monarchs, the plant provides nectar for bees, wasps, and other butterfly species, contributing significantly to local ecosystems' biodiversity.

By cultivating Antelope Horns, gardeners can support native wildlife, enhance pollinator populations, and add an element of beauty and ecological function to their landscapes.

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Antelope Horns
Antelope Horns
Planting Instructions

Planting Instructions for Asclepias asperula (Antelope Horns Milkweed) Seeds


1. Direct Sowing Outdoors (Fall & Spring)
Site Selection: Choose a well-drained site with full sun (6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily). Avoid heavy clay soils that retain water.
Soil Preparation: Loosen the soil to a depth of 6–12 inches. If soil is compacted or heavy, amend with sand or compost to improve drainage.
Stratification (Cold Treatment):
Fall Sowing: No stratification needed, as natural winter conditions will break dormancy.
Spring Sowing: Requires cold stratification for 30 days in the refrigerator before planting.
Scarification: Not required.
Planting Depth: Sow seeds ¼ inch (6 mm) deep or lightly press them into the soil without covering them too much.
Watering: Water gently after sowing. Keep the soil moist but not soggy until germination occurs (which may take 2–8 weeks).
Maintenance: Thin seedlings to 12–18 inches apart once they establish. Minimal watering is required once the plants mature.


2. Starting Indoors for Transplanting Outdoors in Spring
Timing: Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost date in your area.
Stratification: Place seeds in a damp paper towel inside a plastic bag and refrigerate for 30 days before sowing.
Scarification: Not needed.
Soil & Container Selection: Use well-draining seed-starting mix in small pots or deep containers (milkweed has a long taproot).
Planting Depth: Sow seeds ¼ inch deep and lightly cover them.
Light Requirements: Place under grow lights or near a sunny window (12–16 hours of light per day).
Watering: Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid overwatering.
Germination Time: 2–8 weeks.
Transplanting Outdoors:
Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for 7–10 days before transplanting.
Space plants 12–18 inches apart in well-drained soil.
Water after transplanting, but once established, minimal watering is needed.

Maintenance Tips
Mulching: Use a thin layer of mulch to retain moisture but avoid thick layers to prevent root rot.
Watering: Once established, Asclepias asperula is drought-tolerant and only needs occasional watering.
Pruning: Cut back dead stems in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges.
Pests/Diseases: Aphids may appear but can be controlled by spraying with water or introducing beneficial insects (e.g., ladybugs).
Wildlife: Essential for Monarch butterfly caterpillars; avoid pesticides that harm pollinators.
Is Asclepias asperula Invasive?
No, Asclepias asperula is not invasive. It is a native species in the southwestern and central USA, and it does not aggressively spread like some other milkweeds.

Asclepias asperula
Antelope Horns

Native Plant Map

Dark Green indicates the plant is native within the state, yellow rare, the lime green indicates where the plant is native and seen more within a state.

Map Credits BONAP©2024

Testimonials

★★★★★

I love Native Sunflowers in my home garden and landscape.

Mary Hoggins
Tyler, Texas
★★★★★

Last year in the Fall, I collected a lot of seeds I planted this year.

Author's name
Dallas, Texas
★★★★★

They really added a big splash of color to the front of my house garden bed. Love them!

Audrey Long
Mobile, Alabama

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