It is native to southern California, Arizona, and northern Baja California, where it is most abundant in the desert regions. Judy Mielke is a horticulturist, Landscape Architect and the author of one of Water – Use It Wisely’s favorite books. Carefully remove the plant from the pot, trying not to disturb the roots too much. By now you are probably asking that if milkweed is toxic, how come Monarch caterpillars are able to eat it? milkweed (Asclepias spp.) It may be hairless to very fuzzy. View Arizona milkweed plant information at Plants.USDA.gov. Common milkweed plants grow to about 2 to 4 feet in height, with a thin, vertical growth habit. Milkweed will provide Monarch Butterfly habitat and can be planted along building foundations as it is here (behind the blooming aloes) at the Fiesta Police Department in Mesa. Giant milkweed (Calotropis gigantea, syn. This nearly leafless, succulent milkweed is one of the hardiest plants you can have in your landscape. Arizona milkweed (Asclepias angustifolia), Antelope horns milkweed (Asclepias asperula). Growing milkweed. Growing the plants will attract and feed these beautiful butterflies. The plants are unlike any other milkweed species and small individuals are commonly confused with juvenile pine trees. When the caterpillars hatch, they feed on the leaves of milkweed. Plant milkweeds to provide habitat for Monarch Butterflies. The plants are also enjoyed by the Monarch look-alike, the Queen Butterfly. Culture Good drainage is important for Desert Milkweed, as is full sun. Asclepiadaceae, Milkweed Family Form Sub-shrub Range Southeastern California, southern Nevada, western Arizona, and northern Baja California and Sonora, Mexico Habitat Mainly desert washes, also rocky slopes and plains Living Desert Location MacDonald Butterfly Garden, Upper … Milkweed plants benefit from vernalization, a process of cold treatment, before sprouting. Use a pair of pruning shears. You might us it in a courtyard or near a pool. Asclepias erosa, also known as desert milkweed, and Asclepias cordifolia, known as heart-leaf milkweed, would be … See you soon! You will now enter our LEARN portal, if you are a member, please login using the button on the top right corner of the page. Growing Instructions: Start Desert Milkweed seeds outdoors in late November. The pod splits open when ripe to disperse a silvery fluff of seeds. Description. Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is a native herbaceous perennial whose main virtue is its appeal to butterfliesespecially the monarch, which deposits its eggs on the milkweed. Asclepias erosa is a species of milkweed known commonly as desert milkweed. ARIZONA-SONORA DESERT MUSEUM PLANT CARE INFORMATION Desert Milkweed Asclepias erosa DESCRIPTION: Desert Milkweed is a perennial herb with erect yellow-green stems and foliage in shades of pale whitish-green to dark green with white veining. Where can I purchase Desert Milkweed, and how/when would I go about planting it in Yuma, Arizona? There are 108 species of milkweed in North America. Any species in the milkweed family will do, but the easiest to grow is the common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca. Desert Botanical Garden is helping monarchs with our Great Milkweed Grow Out initiative through: On-site programming is currently on hiatus. The Seris used the roots for headaches, toothaches and heart … The name "milkweed" refers to the milky, white sap that is present in most members of this family, and the habit of growing in poor or "weedy" soil. species known to exist in ... consulting native or Western health care workers. - This plant is easy to take care of in Phoenix, because it is drought resistant. In the summer you can water at the same frequency but for a longer period of time during each watering. Description: Cluster/umbel of flowers on white wooly stems and leaves that become smooth with age. OPEN DAILY 8 A.M. | 7 A.M. FOR MEMBERS WED. The distinctive yellow/white flowers bloom from spring to fall, and the Desert Milkweed is one of 30 known milkweed species that is considered a Monarch butterfly host plant. In the United States, loss of milkweed habitat is a major factor in the decline of the monarchs. Desert Milkweed will thrive in a location with lots of sun and reflected heat, such as near a pool where it will make a stately accent. Dig the hole only as deep as the roots but twice as wide. Provide regular water for the milkweed plants to keep the soil evenly moist throughout the growing season. Plant … Milkweed is crucial to the life-cycle of the monarch butterfly. Desert Botanical Garden is helping monarchs with our Great Milkweed Grow Out initiative. Please be sure to read our safety measures before you make your reservation. I just plant them (barely covered in soil) in moist potting soil and water them when they're just starting to get dry, and I … Plant milkweed — it’s the sole food source for monarch caterpillars and is attractive to many pollinators for its nectar-rich flowers. Some examples of species with narrow leaves would include the Asclepias verticillata, or whorled milkweed and the Asclepias linaria, or pine needle milkweed. It is hardy to at least the low 20s F. After plants are established, they can tolerate long periods of drought. Desert Botanical Garden is helping monarchs with our Great Milkweed Grow Out initiative through: Milkweed (genus Asclepias) is the only plant that monarch butterflies can lay their eggs on and that caterpillars can eat. Always wear gloves when handling the plants and wash hands and skin thoroughly if you come into contact with them. Milkweed is a beautiful plant with beautiful flowers. Arizona Milkweed or Asclepias angustifolia is another great variety to try. New growth often has small leaves that don’t stick around unless there is ample humidity. The Garden will be closed Dec. 25. The white milky sap that oozes from cut stems contains rubber. Use drip irrigation or turn the hose on so the water just trickles. We recorded video providing the first conclusive evidence that the black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) consumes Mojave milkweed (Asclepias ny… Medicinal use of the herb: None known Known hazards of Asclepias erosa: Although no specific reports have been seen for this species, many, if not all, members of this genus … Milkweed Calotropis Seeds. Female monarchs search for milkweed to lay their eggs. Hello Matt. It tolerates a range of soils, given that they are fast-draining. As she likes to tell desert-dwellers, "Gardening in the desert isn't hard, but it is different." Choosing and Planting Low Water-Use Plants. You can learn more about Desert Milkweed and other plants on our Arizona Low-Water-Use Plants page. Dec. 28-31 | The Garden will close at 4 p.m. and reopen to Luminaria ticket holders at 5:30 p.m. It is native to southern California, Arizona, and northern Baja California, where it is most abundant in the desert regions. Maintain the soil line (make sure the soil is up to the same point on the plant that it was when the plant was in the pot). It is an invaluable addition to the butterfly garden, because it is such a crucial food source for the larval stage of the Queen and Monarch butterflies. Positive: On Jul 1, 2008, kittysue from Fairborn, OH wrote: I collected my seed while in Las Vegas. For Asclepias angustifolia, water every 2-3 days. HISTORY & FOLKLORE Historically, various Native Americans throughout its range have used desert milkweed as a medicinal plant. Add more soil if needed to maintain the soil line. This species does better with additional water. Grows to be 8-10 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. “Milkweed – Beautiful and Dangerous. 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