Texas Milkweed
Asclepias texana
Mason Brock (Masebrock)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Genus:
- Asclepias
- Species:
- Asclepias texana
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 2-3 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may, jun, jul, aug, sep
- Bloom Colors:
- White
Native Range
United States: Texas
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Butterflies:American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis), American Snout (Libytheana carinenta), American Snout (Libytheana carinenta), Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes), California Sister (Adelpha californica), California Sister (Adelpha californica), Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), Common Mestra (Mestra amymone), Common Mestra (Mestra amymone), Dainty Sulphur (Nathalis iole), Dainty Sulphur (Nathalis iole), Eastern/Western Giant Swallowtail (Heraclides rumiko), Eastern/Western Giant Swallowtail (Heraclides rumiko), Field Skipper (Atalopedes campestris), Field Skipper (Atalopedes campestris), Funereal Duskywing (Erynnis funeralis), Funereal Duskywing (Erynnis funeralis), Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), Large Orange Sulphur (Phoebis agarithe), Large Orange Sulphur (Phoebis agarithe), Lyside Sulphur (Kricogonia lyside), Lyside Sulphur (Kricogonia lyside), Mexican Yellow (Eurema mexicana), Mexican Yellow (Eurema mexicana), Orange Skipperling (Copaeodes aurantiaca), Orange Skipperling (Copaeodes aurantiaca), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Queen (Danaus gilippus), Queen (Danaus gilippus), Sleepy Orange (Abaeis nicippe), Sleepy Orange (Abaeis nicippe), Southern Dogface (Zerene cesonia), Southern Dogface (Zerene cesonia), Texan Crescent (Anthanassa texana), Texan Crescent (Anthanassa texana), Two-tailed Swallowtail (Pterourus multicaudatus), Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia), Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia), Vesta Crescent (Phyciodes graphica), Vesta Crescent (Phyciodes graphica)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained calcareous soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to limestone outcrops and rocky areas
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).
Notes: Seeds require cold-moist stratification for optimal germination.
Source: OpenAI GPT-4o