Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Apocynaceae

Genus:

Asclepias

Species:

Asclepias melantha

Growth Characteristics

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

60 cm

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

jun,jul,aug

Bloom Colors:

purple, maroon

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:

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

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

butterflies, bees, monarch butterflies

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fragrant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts vigorously from underground root crown after fire or top damage.

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. Surface sow or barely cover with soil.

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