Desert Milkweed
Asclepias erosa
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Genus:
- Asclepias
- Species:
- Asclepias erosa
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 6-8 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Bloom Months:
- apr, may, jun, jul, aug, sep, oct
- Bloom Colors:
- White, Yellow
Native Range
United States: Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), Queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Crotch bumble bee (Bombus crotchii), Crotch bumble bee (Bombus crotchii)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Commonly found in arid desert regions
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Scarify, then cold-moist stratify for 60 days.
Source: OpenAI GPT-4o