Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Apocynaceae

Genus:

Asclepias

Species:

Asclepias californica subsp. californica

Growth Characteristics

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

100 cm

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

may,jun,jul

Bloom Colors:

white, pink, purple

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:

★★☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

bees, butterflies, monarch butterflies

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fragrant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts vigorously from underground caudex after fire. Well-adapted to California's fire-prone chaparral and grassland ecosystems with thick underground storage structures.

Source: Claude claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929 Batch

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days

Germination Time:

7–21 days

Notes:

Seeds require light for germination. Plant is summer-deciduous, going dormant in late summer after seed dispersal and remaining dormant until winter rains.

Source: Claude claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929 Batch