Native Plants
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Asclepias albicans
Asclepias albicans S. Watson
Whitestem Milkweed, White-stemmed Milkweed
Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: ASAL
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Tall, leafless, waxy-white stems with woolly umbels of whitish, star-like flowers on branches near top; sap milky.
The genus was named in honor of Asclepiades, a physician in ancient Greece, undoubtedly because some species have long been used to treat a variety of ailments. The similar Rush Milkweed (A. subulata) is found in the same region in desert washes and on sandy flats; it is distinguished by its narrow, erect hoods, which are about as long as its petals.
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Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Subshrub
Fruit Type: Follicle
Size Notes: Up to about 9 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , YellowBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AZ , CANative Distribution: Southeastern California and southwestern Arizona south to northwestern Mexico.
Native Habitat: Dry rocky places in deserts.
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesSpecial Value to Bumble Bees
Special Value to Honey Bees
Supports Conservation Biological Control
This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Web Reference
Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Asclepias albicans in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Asclepias albicans in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Asclepias albicans
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-05-31Research By: TWC Staff