Tufted Milkweed

Asclepias nummularia

Native to:
Mexico, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Apocynaceae
Genus:
Asclepias
Species:
Asclepias nummularia
USDA Symbol:
ASNU

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
30 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun,Part Shade
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
mar,apr,may,jun,jul
Bloom Colors:
white, greenish-white

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

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 rootstock after fire. Common in fire-maintained grasslands and desert scrub communities.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate

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.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI